Backup camera ideas ... before i kill someone - Page 7

pete_c · #61 04-25-2010, 10:23 AM

Thanks guys and will give the "tape" test of a wide angle cam above the license plate a test.

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pete_c · #62 04-25-2010, 02:02 PM

Doing a quick check on Ebay noticing a "few" of the similiarly designed license plate light rear view cameras priced from $16.00 to about $50.00 USD. They all kind of look exactly the same. Here are some pics. Included a license plate cam in the pics.

romanice · #63 04-26-2010, 08:08 AM

Thanks to your pics i just noticed that they attach just like the corner markers. but i still can't get over the fact that they are not adjustable and i'm not sure how well they are at night.
The licence plate camera is a great solution i just think it's hideous and i don't want to drill a hole for the cable.

pete_c · #64 04-26-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

All that comes out is the white cover - there appears to be some kind of PCB that runs across the length of the handle strip where both plate bulbs are and presumably the hatch switch too. I think it would require a modification to that strip to remove the section with the bulb holder to give enough space to mount the camera module up into the recess.

This sounds like there might be a bit more to it. Ideally would be maybe to buy a second one (license plate light "holder" and modify it for the camera?

Attached is a picture from E83 OEM parts dot com. With the description above sounds like a part which actually fits from the inside with the lens covering the bulbs from the outside. Ideally then would be to modify the OEM dual bulb holder for the cam and see it if fits where the existing bulb cover is on one side of the two license plate bulbs. $14 for the part to play with isn't much - so its really just removing the rear hatch cover that is time consuming.

romanice · #65 04-27-2010, 03:20 AM

I should of thought to take a look at the oem parts. I am not sure if this is what you were saying but part 1 is just the cap and part 2 is the light housing. Now if the light housing is seperate from the rest of the handle strip. and it is the same size as the ones on other models then there is no modification needed. This weekend i will try to remove the housing and compare it to a 3 series. Also i got a reply from a Chinese ebay seller with the measurements for the camera. If i do manage to remove the housing, i will post measurements and differences between it and the 3 series. Lastly if anyone could tell me or send me the TIS files for a rear camera and video module install so i do not have to go to a dealer, i would greatly appreciate that.

big bob · #66 04-27-2010, 03:51 AM

Maybe have a look at the OEM camera? It's gonna be massively expensive, but at least will give you some ideas.

pete_c · #67 04-27-2010, 09:06 AM

From OEM parts it looks like the license plate lights are one piece (#1) - Plate Illumination. #2 is totally a separate piece. I am guessing (without looking) that #1 fits in from the inside or is attached on the inside with the lens cover removable from the outside to change the bulbs. With the plate that both lamps site on adjacent to the opening the cam would have to sit in the area of the plate or you would have to cut the plate to fit the cam. It almost appears that the cam itself would be the same size as the lens cover therefore a "clip and fit" Historically I looked at the E46 rear view cams and mostly folks had drilled a hole adjacent to the license plate and just fitted the cam in that way (this was years ago though). So a couple of things relating to the camera. 1 - it should be same size as the license plate lamp lens cover. 2 - retrofitting existing license plate illumination "plate" to accomodate cam. The second part would be easiest to do buying a new part and trying to modify it.

I looked a couple of different vehicle OEM cameras (on OEM parts dot com) and it looks like all of the cameras typically mount inside to the outside adjacent but not above the license plate frame (like where drilling would be involved) from the style (not sure if the style in the pics is the actual camera).

romanice · #68 04-27-2010, 09:20 PM

Well I agree with that you said. But i'm still confused why in the oem there is a 2 quantity for part 1 and I just realized that part 2 is referring to the inside of the trunk not the tailgate.

In this other diagram 16 is the whole bar that holds both lights and the button. And 14 is the number 1 from the other diagram so if that is the light cover then the housing for the light would be part 16 and that would have to be modified to fit the camera. And it's a little more then $14 ($75).In other words i need the TIS for that part and the rear camera install, To see how the thing is wired. If the size of the light cover is the same which i am pretty sure it is that's good for fitting but the back of the camera needs to be wired to the light and needs room. I may be over thinking something so any insight would be appreciated.

KiwiJochen · #69 04-28-2010, 01:03 AM

The list shows Qty=1 for the trunk lid.

The trunk lid is available in 2 different part numbers, the first was made until 07/2007, then it was replaced with another part number (probably due to improvements or maybe some slight change)

Read the NOTES column

romanice · #70 04-28-2010, 04:28 AM

I'm sorry for the discrepancy the top line was in reference to the previous OEM post from pete_c while the bottom was to the image i included. I did not want to waste space with quoting the previous 3 messages. Sorry Again.

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