Bkup camera & relay wiring problems
 

Hi everyone,
Im having trouble wiring up my backup camera to an aftermarket video module.
I have the following.

NavTool Video module
CCD backup camera.

The camera has one red and one black wire. I assumed red was (+) positive and black was (-)
negative. The camera also has one yellow RCA plug to feed video into an after market video
module.
The video module has 6 wires. One red (+) positive and one black (-) negative wire. The video
module also has one blue wire and one white wire (used for backup camera). The video module
also has one green wire and one white wire (used to activate video in motion simply by wiring
both green wire and white wire into ground).
Ok, here is what I first did by following the directions they supplied.
I wired the camera's red (+) positive wire to a switched power (+) purple/white wire. I wired
the camera's black (-) wire into the car ground.
I then wired the aftermarket video module's red (+) positive wire to the same switched power
(+) purple/white wire. Then I wired the video modules black (-) negative wire into the car
ground. I plugged yellow RCA plug from the backup camera into the video module's video input
jack for backup cameras.
I then wired the green wire and white wire together into car ground (This is so I can get
video inmotion to work while car is in motion).

The last thing I did was wire the blue wire from the video module into the reverse light's
(+) positive yellow and white wire. I then ran the white wire into car ground (like it stated
in the direction).
Here is what happened. It worked, BUT, it would only display the image every second or two
like its pulsating.
I searched this forum and followed how to install a relay. The attached picture is what I had done to rewire using a relay.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...0X/bkupcam.gif

Once I finished the new wiring, when I go in reverse, nothing happens. Not a single
thing happened. I thought its the brown reverse ground because i read somewhere that some
people connected to wrong brown ground (ebrakes). I tried connecting to all 3 brown grounds
one by one. Still nothing.
Anyway, I hope someone can help me.
Thanks,
lc

This circuit looks incorrect to me. I'll give you my recommendations but they are based on the following (please verify before rewiring anything!)

85 is ground
30 takes input voltage (ignition wire)
86 triggers the relay when energized
87 is energized when 86 is triggered
87a some relays have this additional connector, it is not used here, if you have it you should cover it to prevent a short.

With that in mind connect:
86 - BMW reverse light pulsating wire
87 - to Video Module backup trigger
85 - car ground bolt
30 - switched power

Your camera should have the positive wire connected to a switched power supply and the ground wire to the ground bolt if possible, otherwise it is generally okay to use the most convenient ground wire.

Attachment 29982

I have an aftermarket radio in my X and have been using this setup for my camera for years.

I know the post is old...

But this same my situation with my x

Nextgen would you please explain what the wires come out from (aftermarket video module) or anyone can help me by this trigger

Thanks.

You can buy the relay parts at Parts Express online.

• 12 VDC Tyco Relay SPDT 20/30A
• 12 VDC 5-Pin Relay Socket

check this thread on the connection of the trigger wire and the selection of the relays. The realya is about $3-$5 from a local Radio shack. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...ew-camera.html

Does your car have factory PDC?

Okay please tolerate me,

yes terminator my car have factory PDC.

i'm understand every thing in nextgen diagram (except):

1- when i take the power ignition wire from PDC to 30 on relay, where i connect aftermarket video module (positive) and camera positive in (relay)?

2- i know PDC unit place in trunk (it's ok) but which wire i can take the power ignition in pdc control wires?
and there's the diagram of my friend nextgen but with my comments :

http://im12.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/134581035581.jpg

and there's a diagram of the (PIE after market video module):

http://im23.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/1345809055561.jpg

and this photos for it:

http://im15.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/1345810678711.jpg

http://im28.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/1345810810511.jpg

http://im26.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/1345811246423.jpg

http://im26.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/1345811246692.jpg

http://im26.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/1345811245281.jpg


and thanks very much my friends :)

terminator last favor please :D

if you can attach photo for that wire in pdc control i can take the power ignition from it

please :D

Abu,

the wires in the PDC module carry signals, so you cannot use that relay that you have. The signals do NOT have enough power/stenghth to activate that relay, and if you connect that relay to any wire in the PDC circuitry, you will disrupt the operation of the PDC and probably something else in the car.

You need to use smaller relays in order achieve your goals (see the picture and the datasheet for the relay). I would suggest getting the sensitive relay with 17mA triggering amperage, but even the regular with 37mA will work.

To pull the ground signal for your trigger wire, you need to tap into PIN 7 of the X300 plug on the PDC module (middle plug out of the three plugs on the module), that pin supplies (+) to the front of the car. Feed that tapped connection to the coil of the relay and use the trip contacts to supply your needed ground to the trigger wire.

For the power to the camera you can use a second relay and find any ignition hot wire in the trunk lid, tap into that wire for the coil of the relay, and use the trip contacts of the relay to feed directly BATTERY power to the camera - do not use any wires that you are tapping into for the power source, as that will disrupt the operation of the original equipment and will not provide sufficient power for your aftermarket equipment - most loads in the BMWs are balanced loads and any diviation from the prescribed voltages or amperages will result in undesirable operation.

That's maybe not easy for me.

Okay what do you think terminator if i take the power ignition from rear seat adjustment?

and what about this question i didn't find solution

http://im12.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/134581035581.jpg

Pin 30 on relay takes (in) power okay? Where i connect camera positive and PIE positive in relay?

You mean, the power ignition for the power for the camera? or the power for the PIE?

I do not know what camera you are using, but most cameras have a very low consumption requirements, so drawing power from rear seat adjustment might be OK.

Power for the PIE should be directly from the battery (with a fuse, of course). In order to avoid draining your battery when the car is off, you need to tie that to the ignition - and again, using a relay, to isolate the car's electrical/electronic system form your aftermarket system.

You always have to be mindful of the draw requirements of your equipment - if you use the too heavy of a load, you might get some gremlins... :)

Are you able to obtain those relays in your country? these are very common relays, in the US they are sold in Radio Shack (and in the US they don't usually sell electronic components, as we are used to things already made for us)

Here is a rough scetch of how it can be done

Yes we have in Saudi Arabia branch for radio shack and i plan to go yesterday after my work time, and relays are available here but i don't know how is work.

I well try and tell you, thanks terminator really for your help

You can also do it with one relay. The relay coil is powered from the reverse backup light and the relay contact grounds the pin 17 of the blue plug to turn on the video of the camera. This of course works when you have the factory VM. They should be pretty cheap now on the bay.

I would not recomend powering the relay from the reverse lights, as the image might be flickering due to pulses on the reverse light circuitry...

And I totally agree with Roy that the factory video modules might be relatively cheap, as one of the bigger consumers of those, the US, is off the market, as the digital TV system in the US is not the same as in the analogue/digital VMs circuitry...

my friend terminator,

thank you again for your help really,

would you please check this diagram I draw it and if you agree i well make it in my car.

http://im18.gulfup.com/2012-08-27/134606091791.jpg

i go to radio shack and bring the items you talk about it (very wonderful).

but the problem i dont know where's ignition wires in my x it can be turn on when i use the car and drive and turn off when i turn off the car.

thnx again.

The power wire is probably yellow in color, and the ignition hot (ignition switched) wire could be yellow with a brown stripe. This color scheme might NOT be same on your car, as BMW could change the colors from country to country.

I agree with your diagram for power for the Video Module and for the camera. The camera can be fed directly from the switched wire.


You said that you purchased the small relay from Radio Shack. Is it the one I mentioned? Because it is the one that you want to use for the trigger wire, not the big automotive relay.

Your Video module - does it require a (-) applied to trigger wire or a (+)?

Do not use the reverse light for the trigger wire, you will get flickering of the screen.



Let's do one thing at a time:

Do you have a VoltMeter? Can you find a switched power for the camera first? find the power for camera first, lets make sure the camera is working, and then move to next step.

Okay,
You mean i connect blue wire (pulse) from video module to reverse light directly and didn't use the relay for that?
and i ask about small relay in radio shack it's not available here just in US.
I think terminator all the cars have same colour wires but by the way i well check by voltemeter in yellow and brown wires and yellow when car switched on and off.

Abu,

do you know where you want to install the camera? if you look at picture of my X5, you will notice the camera right above the first zero in plate number 004D665|99rus.

is it where you want to install it? Let's find a good power source for the camera and lets route the video cable from camera to where your video module is located...


one thing at a time... :D

Also, forget about the reverse lights altogether, you will have problems if you use them...

yes i plan to install camera in same place like your car.

:D about the problem :D :

i well take the power for camera from ignition wire (yellow & brown) in trunk and i well try to find that sh-- wire :stickpoke

but the aftermarket video module have blue wire take (just) the (pulse) from reverse light (not take power) this what i undestand by user manual :confused: that for change screen to reverse mode.

and this thursday i well do my project :cool:

but you must be change your taillights to facelift tailights, like me :nanana:

i well take photos for my car and attach it for you because i add wondefull items to body by my self (DIY) :cool:

i had the LED tail lights and did not like them and took them off...:D

i had a detailed picture of my camera somewhere on this forum... you get the camera installed and routed to the video module.

so, you say that the video module will compensate for the pulse in reverse lights?... interesting... we can try it... in that case your diagram should work...

inshallah, you will get it done this thursday...;)

inshallah :wow:

My project fail :D

Terminator i take wire from pin 17 for switching and 13 and 14 for video and it's ok,

So what do you think about this diagram? :D

http://im25.gulfup.com/2012-08-31/1346414027161.jpeg

I try this diagram too :(

It's not work

Why? :(

I wired same this diagram

http://im25.gulfup.com/2012-08-31/1346414027161.jpeg

When i turn gear to reverse screen switch from regular screen to reverse screen (that's good) but there's no video just black screen.

May be i think the problem from camera didn't receive power from battery, i put a fuse 30amp between battery and 87 on relay.

Please terminator i need your help

salam abu...

it is a good news that your screen goes blank when you shift to reverse - it means that the logic operates fine.

Now you need to troubleshoot the camera and the video feed.

1. check the voltage that comes to power wires for the camera - use voltmeter to check the voltage;
2. if the voltage is present, check for the video signal coming out the camera - you can use a small TV, or a computer monitor that has an RCA input - on some chinese cameras the video output is an RCA plug that is black and can be confused with the power plug - connect the video output from the camera to that monitor (i use a special test monitor that is 4" and runs off a battery);
3. if you have video coming out of the camera, test the video cable between the camera plug and the video module and see if the video comes out the far end of the cable;

Can you perform these tasks?

okay i well buy today voltemeter from radioshack and i well try.

that's mean my work to this time good?

terminator what do you think if i remove the fuse between 87 on relay and batery and make wiring directly?

the multimeter will allow you to test if the fuse is functional or not. multimeter can test voltage, both DC and AC, amperage, resistance, and some models can test diodes.
you are using a 30 Amperes fuse!!! that means, that if something will happen to the camera circuit, the fuse will tolerate the increase in amperage upto 30 ams before it will burn, to protect the camera... however, your camera will probably draw 0.2 Amp of electricity, and it will burn before the fuse will try to save it. you need a more appropriate fuse, maybe 0.5 Amps or maybe 1.0 Amps... you might want to consider a fast burning fuse over a slow burning fuse - the fast burning fuse just blows the moment the amperage exceeds the nominal value, thus protecting sensetive electronics, slow fuse holds longer at the nominal and higher amperage, passing dangerous levels of electricity to the protected circuitry, before blowing... slow fuses are good for some electric motors that can take extra load for a few moments...

these are your fuse considerations...
and yes, your work is good...

Are you using a PIE video module or the BMW video module?

terminator what about this diagram

http://im30.gulfup.com/2012-09-01/1346481864841.jpg

:D :rofl:

no i try to use PIE but not work so i make wires from pins in pin17 for switching and pins 13 and 14 for video

for fuse i use this one between battery and relay

30-Amp Inline Blade-Type Fuse Holder : Fuse Holders | RadioShack.com

what do you think?

so, you are not using Pie. do you have factory TV module?

yes i have factory tv module but i think the problem in camera power i well try this diagram today and confirm you

http://im30.gulfup.com/2012-09-01/1346481864841.jpg

i am not sure if pins 1 and 10 provide adequate power to camera. try to feed power to camera from alternative source, to see if camera works or not

eventually :thumbup:

I do it :D

by this diagram:

http://im21.gulfup.com/2012-09-01/1346520492221.jpg

pin 1 in blue connector give 12v and it's good for power because switced with ignition.

look for these terminator:

http://im15.gulfup.com/2012-08-24/1345813989371.gif

and again very very very thanks terminator for your help.

but i want ask you about (salam) & (inshallah) how do you know that? :confused:

:)
you are in Saudi Arabia, your name is Abutayyeb (do you have a son by the name of Tayyeb?), so, the chances are you are a muslim... Salam Aleikum is the muslilm greeting (sholom is the hebrew greeting... lol...), and everything that is done under the sun is done only if the Almighty is willing to allow that to be done - inshallah... I have been around couple of places in the world, so i know coupe of things here and there... Allahu Akhbar!

Now, back to the camera - I am very happy that you have made it to work. Now you have to make sure that the holes for the camera and cables are sealed so there can be no moisture or sand that can get into the internal parts of the car.

also, please take pictures of your camera set up and post it - I am sure there will be other people who would like to see how you did it...

:worthless:
In the future, if you will find that small relay that I was talking about, you might be able to tie the activation of the rear camera to the PDC function by connecting the Pin 17 from the video module to the relay, that is connected to the Pin 7 of the middle PDC plug... But this is only if you want to have an activation button fully integrated into the front console...

pictures!! pictures!!! :)

:worthless:

No. Tayyeb is my family name and all my friends call me abutayyeb. (mean of tayyeb in english: good man) and im muslim. I'm not saudi citizen. Im jordanian (petra) but live and work in saudi arabia.

Now back to camera. I will attach photos for project inshallah :)

Really nice to meet you.

Any serve from here (arabian countries) i'm like your brother and i hope we keep in touch :)

God bless your little one and your family... :)

Many people on this site start out in search for the information but then find a real friendship... We do gather together, if we are in close proximity to each other - last time we met (for the first time!!) about a week ago, and will be meeting again in couple of weeks, for some kabobs, and good time...

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...es-2012-a.html

this is greet idea (meet the members couple) i well do it here because i'm supervisor in arabian forum :cool: , it's ( www.gulfbmw.com/vb )

I'm in charge about X type section in forum :D

very nice site - unfortunately, i can not read arabic or farsi, so i can not even register there... lol... but that is ok, if you, or any other member of the brother-forum have any questions, you can always ask... if we know the answer, we will help, if we do not know the answer, we will try to find it...

enjoy your ride!!

:)

My question is this.... I have an aftermarket stereo (huge), I'm just trying to run the damn video cable to my head unit! 2001 BMW X5

The wire is already at the top right where the protective sleeve is on the lift hatch, now I'm stuck.

if the wire needs to go to the front, where the input plug for the reverse camera is, then you need to feed the wire from the top hatch, into the rubber boot that goes from the hatch into the main body, pull the plastic trim from the side of D pillar, run the wire into the bottom of the trunk, from there get the wire into the bottom seat, feed it under rear door sill, into front door sill, and then you will be in the glove compartment area, from which you can feed the cable into the head unit.

Thanks. I just got it done and saw this. I used silicone spray to feed the wire through the boot. It worked like a charm.

Reverse camera wiring diagram
 

I just finished wiring the reverse camera on my 2004 E53 without the OEM Nav option I found the discussions above useful. However, I only used one relay switch (see pic). I used the reverse trigger light to close 30 (switched power) to 87 (camera & Nav trigger). It seems to work fine.

Reverse camera - more wiring!
 

I thought it might be useful to connect a positive throw for the reverse camera through a diode. So I've currently picked up the reverse light positive cable, the one that 'flickers' around 10V, and connected that to a miniature relay which starts to switch at 5V. The relay simultaneously powers the camera and also grounds pin 17 on the TV module.
This circuit works well enough with my NTSC camera on my UK E53. In the future I might look at other sources of video which can be added and switched in, this circuit lets me do that.
The relay switches with about 30mA draw, the camera is specified as 300mA, I'm not sure what Pin 17 needs but this circuit delivers it. No problem with the check control on the reverse light, either.

Attachment 64722

the 1000 mf capacitor makes it work, and I am glad there are no error codes - the 10V that you are referring to is actually modulated 12V - it is up and down very fast (thus flickering of LED, if one is used for rear lights), to modulate intensity of the output, and a regular Voltmeter reads median output of 10V...

nice setup :)