Connect factory backup camera to aftermarket head unit

[mtber]

I installed a JVC Nav unit and I want to connect the factory backup camera to it.

I found the thick black video cable under the passenger scuff plate and proceeded to attempt to splice in an RCA video cable. What I found was four wires instead if the two I expected to find. I measured the voltages with the car in reverse.
Red - 3 volts
White - 3 volts
Black - 6 volts
Metal - ground

Anyone know which ones I should use for my RCA splice?
Thanks

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by mtber

I installed a JVC Nav unit and I want to connect the factory backup camera to it.

I found the thick black video cable under the passenger scuff plate and proceeded to attempt to splice in an RCA video cable. What I found was four wires instead if the two I expected to find. I measured the voltages with the car in reverse.
Red - 3 volts
White - 3 volts
Black - 6 volts
Metal - ground

Anyone know which ones I should use for my RCA splice?
Thanks

The cable provides power to the camera and video from the camera. I would bet that red is 12V power to the camera, white is video from the camera, and black is the ground. The one you call metal is the shield which should also be ground.

[mtber]

Thanks Junebug. That makes perfect sense to me. In fact, that was my original assumption until I measured the voltages. That's what threw me. Black measured 6 volts and was definitely not grounded.

Is there a wiring diagram available for a 2009 Rav4?

[Race2Speed]

Are you doing this so you don't need to run the wire again to the HU? I thought that the camera would receive power from the backup lights wire unless that is only for aftermarket cameras.

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by mtber

Thanks Junebug. That makes perfect sense to me. In fact, that was my original assumption until I measured the voltages. That's what threw me. Black measured 6 volts and was definitely not grounded.

Is there a wiring diagram available for a 2009 Rav4?

Look in my profile page.

[mtber]

Directions to hook up factory backup camera to aftermarket Nav unit. In this case a JVC KW-NT3HDT.

1. For easy access I removed the scuff panel the passenger side and exposed main wire bundle.





2. Inside the wire bundle you'll find a black wire that goes from the camera to the mirror. Easy to pick out because it's by far the thickest.

3. Slice open the sheath to expose 4 wires - black, red, white, & metal.

4. Find a ~ 3 feet RCA video cable (male or female depending on your nav unit). Cut and strip one end to expose the inner wire and outer shield.



5. Connect white wire to the center of the RCA wire. Connect the red wire to the outer shield. I used 22-18Awg wire tap splice connector (photo). Re tape the bundle.



6. Run the wire behind the glove box to the nav unit

7. Connect the reverse wire to the red wire (photo) in the fuse box panel (located about where your left knee would be positioned).





8. I had to turn on the "camera in" function on my unit.

[krisnet55]

First of all thank you for doing this. I have been looking for the past week.

BUT I have one problem. I have 3 big black wires. Would you know to what connector they end up going to?

[kenetic]

mtber,

What tools do you use to open up the Scuff Panel? I would need to open it up lay a wire in there.

Last time I did it on my Maxima, i broke a piece of plastic. thanks

Originally Posted by mtber

Directions to hook up factory backup camera to aftermarket Nav unit. In this case a JVC KW-NT3HDT.

1. For easy access I removed the scuff panel the passenger side and exposed main wire bundle.





2. Inside the wire bundle you'll find a black wire that goes from the camera to the mirror. Easy to pick out because it's by far the thickest.

3. Slice open the sheath to expose 4 wires - black, red, white, & metal.

4. Find a ~ 3 feet RCA video cable (male or female depending on your nav unit). Cut and strip one end to expose the inner wire and outer shield.



5. Connect white wire to the center of the RCA wire. Connect the red wire to the outer shield. I used 22-18Awg wire tap splice connector (photo). Re tape the bundle.



6. Run the wire behind the glove box to the nav unit

7. Connect the reverse wire to the red wire (photo) in the fuse box panel (located about where your left knee would be positioned).





8. I had to turn on the "camera in" function on my unit.

[txpackers]

I have a 2011 base that did not come with a back-up camera. I'd like to add one to my new Kenwood. Does anyone know if all the wiring is in place for the camera even though my RAV4 didn't come with a camera?

I found the location above the license plate where the camera should go. I haven't popped the cover off yet to see if any wiring is in there. Hoping someone has already done this and can provide some info. Thanks.

[undisturbed316]

Hi!

I followed the instructions from post #6 (connected red wire from fuse box to head unit and tapped an RCA cable to the backup camera wires (red to shield, white to white)), and was able to connect my factory OEM camera to my Pioneer headunit (avh-p8400bh). However, the feed is reversed. The video feed for the camera pops up during Park, Neutral, and drive INSTEAD of Reverse.

What am I doing wrong here?


Edit: Ok figured out I need to change the polarity of the camera in the software to Battery.

However, after fixing this issue, I notice that my headunit automatically switches to the backup camera after about 5 secs in Park, Neutral, or Drive. Switching to reverse and then back only fixes the problem for another 5 seconds. However, If I switch to reverse during the 5 seconds that it is normal, the backup camera automatically pops up on the head unit. *scratches head*