Installing aftermarket reverse camera. Reverse light wiring not providing sufficient voltage. Options?

[Lar Williams]

I just bought an used 2017 Dodge Journey (Canada Value Package) that didn't have a backup camera or the 8.4 head unit. Rather than mess around with finding one, the OEM camera and wiring it all up, I decided to grab an aftermarket camera that slots into the drivers side license plate light (typical RCA cable, black ground and red power wire design). Removing the trim and stuff went well, but for some reason, the reverse light circuit doesn't appear to be providing sufficient voltage. The camera doesn't send a consistent signal when wired in and grounded properly. However if I pull power from one of the cigarette lighters, it works well - with the obvious loss of reverse shifting on/off control. The reverse bulbs are not the LED version (they are P27/7W).

 

I figured I'd ask here before spending more time on it. Are there any other ways to wire it that will allow it to be controlled by the reverse position? I see some posts talking about fuse F107, but it's not clear if that's active regardless of whether the Journey came with a factory camera or not, and if it is reverse controlled.

[2late4u]

welcome to the group, that said had mine installed thur the dealership, can you contact the company that made your unit for help? i assume when you say reverse position you are talking about your reverse back  up lights...correct. good luck

[Lar Williams]

1 hour ago, 2late4u said:

welcome to the group, that said had mine installed thur the dealership, can you contact the company that made your unit for help? i assume when you say reverse position you are talking about your reverse back  up lights...correct. good luck

Yep I am. Unfortunately it’s a cheap Chinese one that came with barely any instructions. It works if I don’t run the power off the reverse light- it’s only when I try to get 12v from the reverse light that it doesn’t work. It goes crazy lol cutting in and out, and it getting a stable sync. The only difference is the power source, which tells me it’s a power issue.

[Lar Williams]

Just now, Lar Williams said:

Yep I am. Unfortunately it’s a cheap Chinese one that came with barely any instructions. It works if I don’t run the power off the reverse light- it’s only when I try to get 12v from the reverse light that it doesn’t work. It goes crazy lol cutting in and out, and it getting a stable sync. The only difference is the power source, which tells me it’s a power issue.

And thanks  I just bought her last month for below market value (just over 15k with 33000 on her). Hoping to get several good years out of her

[2late4u]

19 minutes ago, Lar Williams said:

Yep I am. Unfortunately it’s a cheap Chinese one that came with barely any instructions. It works if I don’t run the power off the reverse light- it’s only when I try to get 12v from the reverse light that it doesn’t work. It goes crazy lol cutting in and out, and it getting a stable sync. The only difference is the power source, which tells me it’s a power issue.

hate to ask this so dont get mad but just to be sure you didnt tap into the turn signal light did you by mistake ,,,also i had a 2011 traded it in with 70 k and have a 2014 now with 118 k with just a oil sender repair and some upper rear trailing link/control arm that i had changed out for alignment problems i went with the aftermarket ones that are adj the oem are non-adj i am going to run the wheels off this one...LOL..........P.S,. just a thought you could just hook it up to your power outlet and then put a switch in between to use a get around not ideal but since you said it works that way might save a bit of $$ instead of buying something else sometimes i wish i had a switch to turn my rear cam on all the time

Edited July 28, 2021 by 2late4u

[Lar Williams]

23 hours ago, 2late4u said:

hate to ask this so dont get mad but just to be sure you didnt tap into the turn signal light did you by mistake ,,,also i had a 2011 traded it in with 70 k and have a 2014 now with 118 k with just a oil sender repair and some upper rear trailing link/control arm that i had changed out for alignment problems i went with the aftermarket ones that are adj the oem are non-adj i am going to run the wheels off this one...LOL..........P.S,. just a thought you could just hook it up to your power outlet and then put a switch in between to use a get around not ideal but since you said it works that way might save a bit of $$ instead of buying something else sometimes i wish i had a switch to turn my rear cam on all the time

Unfortunately not - I was very careful and tested and researched the wiring before starting. I'm out of ideas for now and hoping I figure it out.

[Lar Williams]

Looks like I might need a 12v capacitor to help. Got this on order from https://www.amazon.ca/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A04530092C4PW5WIWFIU6&url=%2FRectifier-Keenso-Capacitor-Filter-Connector%2Fdp%2FB07KFJVC5J%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2_sspa%3Fdchild%3D1%26keywords%3D12v%2Bcapacitor%26qid%3D1627516694%26sr%3D8-2-spons%26psc%3D1%26smid%3DA1PQ66J882YM3A&qualifier=1627516694&id=1902135227631113&widgetName=sp_atf and see if it helps

[John/Horace]

Canbus makes adding stuff to car a little harder now. May not just be a voltage thing.

 

if you are using the factory radio screen you might need alpaobd program to activate it. Or pay dealer to program vehicle for back up camera activation. 

[Lar Williams]

Nope it's all aftermarket - it has a 4.3 screen and the dealer claimed it cannot be activated for an OEM rear camera without a swap of the screen and stuff. So I didn't want to deal with that extra hassle - just an aftermarket camera and screen triggered and powered by the reverse light. Apparently voltage is a common issue on these, so hopefully the above will work.

[Armando G]

What's that say? ?

 

Hope this works for you. Looks like it's the same as when you install aftermarket trailer lights. I'm curious now because I was looking at also buying an aftermarket backup camera and was told it would connect directly to the reverse lights. 

[Lar Williams]

18 hours ago, Armando G said:

What's that say? ?

 

Hope this works for you. Looks like it's the same as when you install aftermarket trailer lights. I'm curious now because I was looking at also buying an aftermarket backup camera and was told it would connect directly to the reverse lights. 

The closest translation is "Reversing rectifier". I'm assuming it's just the literal meaning of the product name.