I might be missing the question here - do you currently have Navigation in your X5?

everything is missing

IMHO, a BMW NAV retrofit is very expensive (aprox $4000) - and you would still need the VSM and accessories. I would suggest an aftermarket system instead which can be found for half that or possibly find a system on eBay for less.

thanks,,

My camera and VSM arrived. Thanks for the great thread Wuzin!

Since all I want is rear camera, is the VSM pretty much plug-n-play? By chance do you have any close up pics of the harness you plugged into? The EAS instructions are very generic and the only harness pics are the ones behind the NAV screen (where I won't be)

(for those familiar with the VSM)
I *think* I understand it like this:

VSM goes "inline" with the NAV system (blue connector)
Red wire from harness to 12v switched power
Black wire from harness to ground
Blue Interlock from harness to ground?
Gray "trigger" wire from harness to 12V from backup light circuit (hot when in reverse)

There is a relay in the package.. It appears this is used when the "trigger" from the video source is a ground.. Am I correct in thinking that I won't need this?

Beyond that, it's just a simple matter of connecting the camera itself with it's simple wiring?

I'll take pics of all the connectors and wires that I tap to eliminate these questions next time around.

You pretty much have it figured out - the relay is recommended, but certainly not needed. The ground you are referring to will need ot be grounded or else the VSM will not activate.

Feel free to contact me by phone while you are installing and I'll walk you through the process for wiring and installation. :thumbup:

Ok.. what am I missing:

VSM

Red (switched power) to purple/White wire (VERIFIED)
Black to ground
Blue (marked "handbrake ground") to ground
Gray to yellow/white stripe reverse trigger (VERIFIED)

Of course, harness plugged inline with factory NAV

Camera

Red to ?? (same as gray above?)
Black to ground?

(thanks for baring w/me folks)

Ok.. I now get an image in reverse, we are getting real close!

Unfortunately, the image is "clipping" so it looks like I need the relay. I read the instructions in the articles, but it's not clear.

Relay:
30 to Gray VSM Wire
86 & 87 both looped to switched power (hot when in reverse)
85 Ground trigger to ???

Camera:
Red to ?
Black to ground?


I get nothing if I tie the camera red to 86 & 87 as well?

I've tried both of the below scenarios with no luck :dunno:

Setup #1 (The instructions from EAS for the VSM)
Relay

Pins 86 & 87 -> switched hot from reverse lamps (yellow/white) & Camera +
Pin 85 -> Ground from reverse lamps (brown) & Camera -
Pin 30 -> VSM gray wire

* I also tried taking pin #85 directly to ground (along with camera -)

The camera comes on in reverse but the image is jibberish

** EAS did not provide any docs with the camera, so I'm guessing.

Setup #2 (as suggested by others in the forum)
Relay

Pins 86 Only -> Switched hot from reverse lamps (yellow/white) & Camera +
Pin 87 & 85 -> Ground from reverse lamps (brown) & Camera Ground
Pin 30 -> VSM gray wire


Nothing, no image

Stumped

Can you define what you mean by "jibberish"? :confused:

Have you tried connecting the camera to direct power and into the VSM once the correct rigger wire is activated?

Feel free to contact me tomorrow morning by phone, it may be a little easier to go over this in real-time, I will have some questions on your specific wiring.