Back-up Camera problems
 

Need some help trying to troubleshoot what's wrong with the stock back-up camera on my BRZ. After installing the DD917WS head unit and some sound deadener, it stopped working and there's no picture on the head unit. Where should I start with troubleshooting? Is there a fuse or relay that anyone is aware of?

From what I understand the backup camera output power from the Kenwood headunit is 12v but the stock headunit sends the camera 6v.Did you use a harness for the camera that would step down the voltage? Otherwise your camera might be fried.


https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2945196&postcount=11

^^^

I'm using the harness sold by Carbon Car Systems... I am really just trying to figure out how to troubleshoot where the fault might be. Where to start... fuse panel? Relay? checking cycles or resistance with a multimeter?

You can start by checking voltage at the head unit(12v). If you have a power step down and assuming it is working, then check the car side of the 28-pin harness(6v). If all good there then check voltage at the camera harness on trunk(6v)

Check to see if your reverse lights come on. If they don't then you blew the fuse that controls the camera, backup lights, and I believe hill assist. That fuse is under the steering wheel and is a green one. If those all work then something else is wrong and you will have to check voltages like the others have suggested.



I have the same issue with my harness from Carbon with the 918ws unit and I am fairly certain something else is wrong with the cable.

If you are having the same issue, maybe there is a wiring difference from the AU/JDM versions.

I check the reverse lights... they still work. I will make sure I am getting 6v to the camera this weekend. More to come! BTW - is there a hill assist option available in our cars, I could have really used it in Stuttgart!

it'll be the cable, grab yourself a 12v to 6v voltage dropper and manually wire it up for the camera

Do you have experience with splicing Carbons cable to make that work? Or do you think connecting it on the trunk side will work.

I looked at doing that but put it in the way too hard basket and did it on the car side of the loom. i'd already spliced into a 12v for the dash cam anyway

You might want to look at this:

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111866

Not only do you need a 12v to 6v converter, but you need to splice into the reverse wire. Did you do that? Was the unit spliced into the system or did you use an adapter? If you used an adapter, was it configured for the camera? The Kenwood uses a camera control terminal while the OEM camera does not. How did you connect the camera control terminal?

Unfortunately, there are no standards for the camera so each installation is custom. It is NOT just plug and play. The best solution would be to replace the OEM camera (which isn't that good anyway), with the Kenwood camera accessory. You'd have to run the wires through the car which would take some time to do, but it would work.

Good luck. I've installed several heads/cameras in my cars over the years, but have always purchased matched components and tried to find plug in adapters from people like Metra.

This link/thread doesn't talk about the Carbon adapter. https://carboncarsystems.com.au/shop...17-subaru-brz/

The reverse camera wiring is super thin and pretty fragile. If you used a wire crimp, check that connection again. When I installed one on my '13, I crimped it down too hard and it severed the connection. I had to redo the crimp with a lighter touch.

You are assuming the Carbon adapter is correct. I didn't see a 12v to 6v reducer on the Carbon adapter. I would contact them to ask them the questions I propounded because that's where I would first look. Remember, the BRZ is a low selling vehicle and the number of your particular Kenwood head would make only a couple of vehicles they prepared the loom for. You might even be the only one for your Kenwood model.