Backup Camera Deley
 

When I start my 2007 X5 and put it in to reverse it can take as long as 20 seconds for the rear camera to start working (by which time I've become impatient and backed over the kid the camera was supposed to see).

Has anyone else heard of this?

Nope. This is not working as designed. In my experience it only takes a second or two... Dealer should fix.

this is "normal"...so far I havent backed over the kids. But yes it is frustrating.

EDIT:
beat me to CGSTL...your comes on in 2 seconds??? What version of software do you have? Mine takes a good 15+ seconds

The test drive I took - it came on pretty much immediately. 20 seconds to wait is a bit absurd for an intended feature.

That does not sound normal. My back up camera activates almost immediately as in a sec or two after putting the gear in reverse. It was like this even before I was upgraded to v27.1.

There is a delay when you put the gear back in drive, as if you have to drive off a certain speed before the camera deactivates. The dealer said this is normal.

I recommend a trip to the dealer. You already backed up on a kid, who knows what will happen next.

Is the delay related to the warning to not opertate the iDrive while driving? That does stay on a screen for a bit if you don't acknowledge it. The warning screen overrides the backup camera.

I never acknowledge it, so thats likely my issue.

Interesting point. :thumbup:

I always press "accept" before anything else so I never experience any problems with the delay.

Mine used to never come on, but now that I got a new one it comes on in about 3 seconds.

Are you using your bluetooth and if you are, are you using a BMW certified/listed phone. Here is what I have expereinced with both my new X5 and my 545. Looks like the way that BMW has implemented the Bluetooth stack causes the computer to get confused if there is any issues during the sync. I have found that both my cars when BT is on and syncing w/ the phones can cause the PDC and Backup cams and the accept screen to be delayed. When I turn off the bluetooth on the phone and it is not trying to sync the system run A LOT faster and there is no delays. I have spoken with my SA who is very konwlegable and told him my findings and he said that they have experienced the same when approached w/ these concerns. These are just my .02 and findings w/ a lot of testing

Interesting, I also have bluetooth enabled.

No, the screen comes on with BMW on it, not the warning screen. The warning screens is the one that appaers after the delay.

Sometimes I get a delay and sometimes not.. the bluetooth explanation may make sense...the other day my screen stuck on the Accept screen... I couldn't get it off that screen...It was ok after turning it off for a while...

Okay, You need to take your car in for service. So far I had no problem what so ever with my E70 4.8. Camera/ pdc works in within 1second of putting in reverse. Steering wheel moving for getting in and out also works perfectly everytime.

Here is what I noticed:

If the car is cold (first thing this morning)...when I get in and start it up the BMW screen stays for about 10-12 seconds before the acknowledge screen comes up.

Once I exit the vehicle and get back in and restart, the screen comes up instantly. But if i waint 30 + minutes and restart the car I get the BMW screen and delay again.

This is very consistant and has been like this since I bought the vehicle in Feb 07. I have had the X5 reprogrammed 2-3 times as the software updates have been released and the delay has not changed.

I dont know what the dealer can do about this, I think its pretty typical for the sytem to initalize and boot up after a shutdown.

I dont think the OP's issue is the camera coming on w/i one second of engaging reverse, its the initial cold start boot up time. I cant imagine you guys are not experiencing this as well...pay attention when you start the car first thing in the morning. This should be consistant with everyone.

Once the system is booted, YES the camera will switch on instantly when you engage reverse...BUT, you must allow the system to boot-up when first starting. Honestly you shouldn't start your car in the morning and slam it into reverse...wait 10 seconds and let the oil circulate before engaging into gear.

BTW- It is exactly the same regardless of bluetoooth or not.

How can you blame your X5? Your kids eyes are better than the camera anyway, they probably want to get hit so maybe you get rid of your extra child... er, X5.

not trying to rub it in or be sarcastic but mine works perfect everytime. I don't experiece delays (think mine is July production) This is off topic but I even use my backup cam at night and it works like a charm, I can see all the things that I need to see (parking lanes, people/ obstacles..etc) I love my beemer :)

Have you got good street lights in Canada..? seriously though any chance of a pic of your nightime camera screen.. mine is largely noise at night like that associated with 8000 ISO or something !!...

obviously you're not driving an X5 then.

not trying to look confused or be sarcastic but why would a person need a back up camera on a beemer anyway? You think that it would not be that hard to see what is behind you on your bike and if you were backing up I am pretty sure that you do not move very fast :lmao:

Try it, you'll like it.
Makes parking a breeze.

did you realize that I was poking fun of the BEEMER (bike) reference and not the Bimmer (car) reference............

sorry, a bit slow today