Reversing camera connection

[bcr5784]

I've fitted a reversing camera to my PE and would naturally like it to come on automatically when I select reverse. Connecting to the rear light cluster is the obvious answer - but unfortunately to get at the rear lights you have to remove the rear bumper. Anyone know a more accessible connection point?

Incidentally, if you haven't seen it on Alpine Facebook page, this screen is a cheap and cheerful and includes rear and front facing camera wireless android auto and Carplay, SD card for recording. I only paid £35 for mine (yes really!)- but it's available at various prices on Amazon and ebay- some not including the camera - worth checking.what's included. It can be powered from the cars USB port and output via the cars Aux input (though it does have an internal speaker or FM output too)
Clearly not as elegant as one integrated into the existing screen but fantastic value for what it offers

Edited by bcr5784 on Sunday 27th September 17:13

[PHusername]

bcr5784 said:

I've fitted a reversing camera to my PE and would naturally like it to come on automatically when I select reverse. Connecting to the rear light cluster is the obvious answer - but unfortunately to get at the rear lights you have to remove the rear bumper. Anyone know a more accessible connection point?

Edited by bcr5784 on Sunday 27th September 17:13

There is a more accessible point at the BCM, but I don't have an exact way for you to find the wire, other than using a multi-meter & a pin/needle to pierce each wire & look for +12V (when car is in reverse, off when not). The harness from MyAlpDroid had wires coming from there that I used to get the reverse signal for my camera. It intercepted the S1 connector & extracted a few wires, including CAN bus, speed & reverse signals. If you can find a wiring diagram for the BCM you would be able to go straight to it. You need to move the fuse box out of the way to see the BCM connectors. There 2 identical ones, so use the pic to orientate yourself.

Good luck
Leon

[bcr5784]

Thanks PH. I'm not sure that my skill level is up to that. I was hoping for something easier.

At the moment I have two ways of getting the reversing camera to turn on.. The "live" wire is connected to a switched cigarette lighter plug at the back of the console - pressing the switch turns the reversing camera on. Alternatively a couple of presses on the display itself does more or less the same thing - but without the guide lines. However the guide lines are pretty useless, so that is no big deal.

[PHusername]

The Venn diagram of Good / Fast / Cheap applies here

If I hadn't just put mine back together "for the last time", I would take pictures, give you locations & colour codes etc, but that's another 1-2 hours of work now, & each time I risk breaking plastic tabs, or something more expensive.

Is there a nearby car audio shop that could work it out, or maybe that bumper needs to come off after all? Wishing you the best of luck.