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In mirror backup camera display stopped

spidey

Full Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2012
Messages
686
Location
Alberta
Always one of my fears, when this stops displaying.  Happened today, regular drive to work, went to back up, no display in my mirror.  Not even a black screen, just nothing. 

What are some troubleshooting to do for this.  I use the tailgate like normal, shut it like normal.  Its a 2012 Avy LT with the tow package
 
So I took the back plastic off and checked connections, everything seems fine.  I even disconnected and reconnected the camera inside the tail gate,  Fuse seems fine, but still no camera.  Can these just go, because backing up without one with the Avy blind spot isn't something Im a fan of.  What else can I check
 
I think the. Module for it is under the passenger seat.
 
MS03 2500 said:
I think the. Module for it is under the passenger seat.

So what would I be looking for as an issue then with this module.  I dont want to just randomly replacing parts, especially when it happened right after I shut the tail gate and it started.  As in somethings up with the camera.  The manual says

"The RVC system display in the rearview mirror may turn off or not appear as expected due to one of the following conditions. If this occurs the left indicator light on the mirror will flash."

A slow flash may indicate a loss of video signal, or no video signal present during the reverse cycle.

Mine does slow flash.  Wonder if the dealer has a spare camera to test.  I want to try simple first before digging into a module  The module controls the entire rear parking, and my back up sensors work fine
 
So got off the phone with a GM tech.  The Park Aid control module underneath the passenger seat controls the parking sensors.

So for anyones future info, if you have a camera in your rear view mirror, that module doesnt have anything to do with the camera.    If it is the camera thats in the Navigation area of your Stereo, then it does.

So its looking like a failed camera, since it was so random and stopped suddenly.  But if I buy one and its not, then I cant return it.  Not sure what else it can be, no loose connections I can see.

The Camera module part number us 20985078
 
How does one remove the original back up camera?  There are no outside screws on the tailgate handle, and inside the tail gate there is very little access to get to it.  Does the entire metal panel come off the back of the tail gate?
 
SO broke down and bought a camera.  After rechecking fuses and following wiring I can see, I dont see it being something else since it just quit.  Taking it to a shop to trace it will be probablyu minimum $100 anyway

Problem is the place I bought it from says, once the package is opened, you cant return it, since it electronic.  Ok, thats fine.  So I picked it up and the guy opens the box to check it.  Its not in plastic, just the box.  So i said, I thought if it was opened I cant return it.  You just opened it.    Now he said, if its plugged in you cant.  How will you know I plug it in, its a simple plug in, there would be no proof. 
 
If you still need it, I can get you the removal instructions for the camera. Let me know.
 
ca2kjet said:
If you still need it, I can get you the removal instructions for the camera. Let me know.

Yes please, even with the back plastic panel off, I cant see where to get to for any internal screws
 
Yikes, I was not expecting the service manual to be so vague. Sorry for the lousy image of the page. After removal of the trim, it looks like there's two nuts that you can presumably access via openings in the sheet metal (Are there even openings?). What's confusing here is that the image they show is from the other side facing the latch.

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44227/rear-camera-diagram.jpg
rear-camera-diagram.jpg
 
ca2kjet said:
Yikes, I was not expecting the service manual to be so vague. Sorry for the lousy image of the page. After removal of the trim, it looks like there's two nuts that you can presumably access via openings in the sheet metal (Are there even openings?). What's confusing here is that the image they show is from the other side facing the latch.

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44227/rear-camera-diagram.jpg
rear-camera-diagram.jpg

yes there are openings, but the kind where you need really long fingers to do anything.  Thanks for the info, see what I can do.  Before I even attempt this Ill test the new camera, at least the connector is easy to access
 
Well unfortunately a new camera did not fix the issue, same thing.  Mirror light blinks slow, no image.  Which means a connection issue.  Im not sure where to start, I traced and done see any broke wires or loose connectors.  I traded fuses as well with other 10 amp and same thing
 
Well after a few weeks, suddenly my mirror light was blinking weird, and the camera turned on.  Flashed off, then on, then funky, then on.  So now I know its not the camera for sure, but a short somewhere that healed itself?  At least that will limit the troubleshooting of a fuse or camera,
 
Good luck spidey, I wish I could help but I haven't had to face that gremilin yet.
 
BainMan said:
Good luck spidey, I wish I could help but I haven't had to face that gremilin yet.

I do now again, it lasted a few days, now back to the same.  If it is a short, hope its somewhere easy to be found, and not like the headliner or something else
 
As I suspected it was a broken wire, I just couldnt find it.

$143 later its repaired.  It was the loop by the camera connection, a wire inside was broken.  So it wasnt the camera wires itself, but the wires after the connector in the tailgate at the loop

Thousands of tailgates closes over time, thats why it just went dead.  Ill probably be a little more gentle shutting now.

Fix was a simple splice with heat shrink and away we go.  Cost was tracing the issue

Could I have fixed it, sure, if I knew where it was, but it wasnt an obvious break.

So for future info for anyone, that was the issue
 
I have the same thing happening to mine right now. I mean EXACTLY the same thing. I want to go with the broken wire thought, but hear me out... When it was still warm outside, I messed with the camera while my Dad stepped on the brake and had the truck in reverse. Flicking it seemed to turn the camera back on here and there. Then finally it worked for like 3 weeks. Now, during the cold winter months, it does not work at all. Flicking it and moving the tailgate up and down etc, did nothing. I checked all fuses and looked at the wire loom underneath the tailgate cover. Nothing looks bad or out of place. You could eat off of it (after 9 years) Anyway, I am starting to think bad camera. Is this a huge mistake?

P.S. Where exactly was your broken wire? By the tailgate handle or where the loom exits the truck and enters the tailgate?
 
It's not fun but when I metered wires in navy Aircraft we would open every connector joint schematic showed & meter ohms each wire segment.
Usually breaks were just behind connectors where attached to pins, or higher movement spots like door & tailgate joints.
If I have wire breaks in movement joint I'd map colors & wires, cut both sides of the joint & add my own ez connectors for movement segment I use braided copper *avoid solid core* wire use few inches too long sometimes double length then I coil wrap wire like spring looks Usually inside flexible wire sheathing & heat shrink next to connectors.
It's lots of work & consumes time but I'd never worry about flex wire breaks again.
Sheath like finger traps weaving* squeeze it stretch open/ pull extend it closes shrinks diameter .
Also wanted to suggest best ohms readings I've gotten on spliced repairs is from solder filled heat shrink connectors.
Best connections, I like using these for most wiring fixes.
Pictures of sheathing type I like & solder connectors.
 

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Was having the same issue - ('13 LT) with in-mirror backup - even replaced the camera.... The issue was the harness - once I opened up the black plastic protection - and gave a little pull - poof - came right off.

So - like the orig poster said - lots of years of open/closing finally caused it to break inside.

Now off to find the correct replacement harness.
broken-wire-in-harness.jpg
 
Just a follow up.

Ordered
25872965​
Tailgate Wiring Harness​
$40.43​

From one of the Many Chevy online parts stores (I used Quirk because the shipping was less)

Replaced the harness in about 30 minutes (yes - take the tailgate off to get that one press-in cable mount that is under the gate!) and I'm back to being able to see things below the tailgate while backing up.
:)
 
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