Reverse Camera Install Woes!! :(

[gpaevo]

Please folks, someone help me out here.

I've just installed an aftermarket reserve camera to the Pioneer headunit in my VW Caddy.

The camera works perfectly with just the ignition on but as soon as I start the engine the screen goes black.

Can someone please tell me what i've done wrong lol. The camera is powered from the reverse light feed, the negative from the camera is fitted to the factory ground at the rear of the van and the headunit switch feed is also taken from the reverse light feed.

Like I say, it works 100% with just the ignition on then stops when I start the engine (van in reverse of course).

 

[gizmo98]

You need a constant 12v to the camera
Reverse light feed drops when the engine is running so no good

 

[gpaevo]

You need a constant 12v to the camera
Reverse light feed drops when the engine is running so no good

Ah right ok, Will give that a go.

How come the reserve lights work when the engine is running if they don't have a feed?? I am crap at auto electrics as you can tell lol

 

[gizmo98]

They have a feed but it's not constant 12v with engine running So will work fine(voltage drops and rises)
The camera needs a constant 12v

 

[CharlySkunkWeed]

Is it not that the screen cant be viewed while handbrake is off ? Isnt that a safety feature of aftermarket headunits with screens ?

Maybe theres a setting in the menus.

 

[gpaevo]

They have a feed but it's not constant 12v with engine running So will work fine(voltage drops and rises)
The camera needs a constant 12v

Is that the VAG Canbus that does that then?

Is it not that the screen cant be viewed while handbrake is off ? Isnt that a safety feature of aftermarket headunits with screens ?

No mate, that's all dead on and the screen is working with handbrake on or off. Cheers.

 

[gizmo98]

Is it not that the screen cant be viewed while handbrake is off ? Isnt that a safety feature of aftermarket headunits with screens ?

Maybe theres a setting in the menus.

It's a reverse camera,reversing would be a handling with the handbrake on lol

 

[gizmo98]

Is that the VAG Canbus that does that then

It's a different name Pvm or pwm I can't remember off hand,it changes the voltage with engine running

 

[CharlySkunkWeed]

It's a reverse camera,reversing would be a handling with the handbrake on lol

Yeah but the screen is going blank , just remember have a headunit with a screen that couldn't be used while driving.

 

[Cartunes]

Don't power the camera from the reverse switch feed - the stereo only requires a few Milliamps to trigger the screen to receive camera input, but the Camera draw could be too much draw for the tiny amount of power from the intelligent power supply for this circuit.

Keep the camera switched on while the van is running by connecting to a heavy ignition live and put a fuse in line.

The reverse lights may be on canbus - which means that extra power draw might shut the circuit down

 

[ChrisR]

This thread may help @gpaevo http://seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=393200

I know it's not the same car but the wiring / coding should be similar.

 

[Andy55]

Just out of interest, which camera and head unit did you go for?

 

[Big Andy]

You need to wire a 4 pin rely or bypass to the camera feed. Every caddy I have fitted to its always the same.

 

[Jason]

Out of interest where did you mount the camera?

 

[gpaevo]

Cheers for the help lads.

Camera is working 100% now. I've mounted the camera just under the rear door lock above the number plate, fits perfect. Sits nice a discrete underneath the plastic trim that holds the number plate lights.

This is camera I ordered:
Waterproof 170° Wide Angle HD Car Reverse Camera/Rear View Parking LED Sensor UK

Fitted to a Pioneer double din touch screen head unit.

 

[Jason]

Any chance of a pic of it fitted? I've a kenwood system in mine with the option for it.

 

[gpaevo]

Any chance of a pic of it fitted? I've a kenwood system in mine with the option for it.

Aye no bother, i'll fire one up when I get to work in the morning.

 

[Jason]

Aye no bother, i'll fire one up when I get to work in the morning.

Just looked on ebay there seems a good idea here:

Volkswagen Caddy Life Car Reverse Rear Parking Camera VW Reversing Backup KNT

Replace the number plate light and works wirelessly? No doubt a recipe for disaster lol

 

[gpaevo]

Just looked on ebay there seems a good idea here:

Volkswagen Caddy Life Car Reverse Rear Parking Camera VW Reversing Backup KNT

Replace the number plate light and works wirelessly? No doubt a recipe for disaster lol

Would that not play havoc with the Canbus thingy? Like LED builds do?
I heard the wireless cameras aren't the best in vans due to the amount of metal, granted mine is a LWB Caddy.

 

[Jason]

Think it's just the cover being replaced. Not sure about the wireless part. It's only to help the wife drive it lol

 

[mckeown]

be really handy for backing up to hitch a heavy trailer on

 

[Ant]

i've had a reverse camera sitting to be fitted to mine since i bought the Z4, too lazy to do it, and hadn't even crossed my mind hooking it into the reverse feed would **** about with canbus

def not going to bother trying it myself now.

 

[gpaevo]

 

[jimc]

thats inspired me to do my caddy, picture on the head unit please

 

[gpaevo]