2014 - 5th gen Rear view camera backup not working

[schwein]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've had this issue for quite some time but been too lazy to investigate. Finally got around to it. Long story short, I believe there is a plug that has too much tension which forced a connector to be loose in the plug. To fix, I cut tape (relieve tension) and added a zip tie (secured the plug). Been testing this about a week with my tailgate panel off. Steps & pictures below.

1. Remove both rear lights on the panel. I used a plastic pry tool to pop them out. Unclip & remove. You do not need to remove the 10mm bolt behind the lights.

2. Remove the cover from the grab handle. There is a 10mm bolt behind it. Remove the bolt.

3. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the panel and pop off the panel. It should just be plastic clips along the side & bottom.

4. In the center of the door you will see a metal bracket, black box, and a few plugs. Disconnect the harness that is not directly connected the black box (see attached pictures). In my case, a few of those wires were bent and slightly loose. I pressed on them with my fingers just to straighten them out.

5. The plug above is also secured to another harness using tape. Cut that tape. This should allow the harness to not have as much pressure.

6. Plug it back in. To take it a step further, I zip-tied that plug together to ensure a solid connection.

7. Put it all back together.

had the flickering issue for a little while now and experienced the full black issue the other day. i'll be trying this when i have some free time.

will report back if it solves the issue on my end. Have you confirmed this solved your issue? seems like its been a good 6 months since you did this fix.

 

[f-it]

I think I’m going on 2 weeks now and I’ve gotten a lot of use out of the rear hatch with no black outs anymore. Great fix, needs to be stickied!!!

 

[nalaikwa]

Possibly, a fuse may have blown or a wire may have frayed and become disconnected. (This is probably the best case scenario with these kinds of issues.) If you have a wired backup camera or use webcam, wiring is more likely the problem.

 

[Saker]

If the above procedures don’t fix the issue, it could possibly be the connections where the actual camera harness connects to the main harness.
When I relocated my camera I found that the main harness connector that the camera harness is plugged into was very finicky and caused intermittent connectivity. I moved it around a bit while checking the image until it worked without any pressure on it and it’s been working fine since then.

 

[marlinsfan]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've had this issue for quite some time but been too lazy to investigate. Finally got around to it. Long story short, I believe there is a plug that has too much tension which forced a connector to be loose in the plug. To fix, I cut tape (relieve tension) and added a zip tie (secured the plug). Been testing this about a week with my tailgate panel off. Steps & pictures below.

1. Remove both rear lights on the panel. I used a plastic pry tool to pop them out. Unclip & remove. You do not need to remove the 10mm bolt behind the lights.

2. Remove the cover from the grab handle. There is a 10mm bolt behind it. Remove the bolt.

3. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the panel and pop off the panel. It should just be plastic clips along the side & bottom.

4. In the center of the door you will see a metal bracket, black box, and a few plugs. Disconnect the harness that is not directly connected the black box (see attached pictures). In my case, a few of those wires were bent and slightly loose. I pressed on them with my fingers just to straighten them out.

5. The plug above is also secured to another harness using tape. Cut that tape. This should allow the harness to not have as much pressure.

6. Plug it back in. To take it a step further, I zip-tied that plug together to ensure a solid connection.

7. Put it all back together.

I've been having this intermittently working camera issue for a few months. Recently I took apart the dash to check the connection in the aftermarket head unit, and it was good. I came here to search and found this thread, and just did this to my 14 T4R. I can't say that the connection was loose, but I cut the tape, unplugged it and re-plugged it, and secured it with a zip-tie just like you posted. Camera is working now, hopefully it will stay on. I did find some rust behind the plastic cover.... Will order the part and then take the whole darn thing apart to see if there is anything else back there I should worry about.... Thanks!

 

[switlikbob]

If you are getting a black screen, the unit is acknowledging you are in reverse. Are you saying you do not have a black screen when in reverse?

This is the issue I am having, out of the blue. The head unit does not think the car is in reverse. No black screen. I am guessing it's the neutral safety switch on the right side of the transmission:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2394257-post7.html

Can anyone confirm? I guess I can go jumper the connection to test like this other post suggests, but I didn't go look for the switch yet and don't know how difficult it is to access.

 

[SpaceCadet]

This is the issue I am having, out of the blue. The head unit does not think the car is in reverse. No black screen. I am guessing it's the neutral safety switch on the right side of the transmission:
https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2394257-post7.html

Can anyone confirm? I guess I can go jumper the connection to test like this other post suggests, but I didn't go look for the switch yet and don't know how difficult it is to access.

Did you ever figure anything out here? Was it the neutral safety switch?

I was having the intermittent camera issue, but it would at least switch over to the black screen & I could play with the tailgate to get it working. All of the sudden it doesn't change when the truck is put into reverse. It just stays on the Audio screen.

 

[lpsoldia311]

Zip tie fix worked for black screen situations

So my intermittent camera came back about 3-4 months after I posted, but I followed the zip-tie fix that GoHeels posted on page 2 and just a follow up almost 2 years on still no black screens when in reverse.

 

[switlikbob]

Did you ever figure anything out here? Was it the neutral safety switch?

I was having the intermittent camera issue, but it would at least switch over to the black screen & I could play with the tailgate to get it working. All of the sudden it doesn't change when the truck is put into reverse. It just stays on the Audio screen.

No, I did not. It still happens randomly. Very odd.

 

[dexter80]

[MENTION=640550]GoHeels[/MENTION], you are a hero! I have a 2012 Limited and this issue has vexed us for YEARS and I'd honestly given up trying. I found your post a few weeks ago, I did the fix as you recommend about 2 weeks ago and I've had 100% success with backup camera so far.
[MENTION=128346]switlikbob[/MENTION], Mine also did not work but it sometimes went black screen and sometimes stayed on the audio screen. I recommend following GoHeels post prior to checking the neutral safety switch. It should take you maybe 10-15 minutes and just might fix the issue.

 

[switlikbob]

Thanks, zip tie trick was not my issue. I still have this happen (camera just does not come on screen while in reverse, remains on nav /audio) from time to time. My NAV unit has been flaky since day one and I think that's part of my issue. Oh well, I have a spare NSW in my drawer and have learned to live with this issue... Thanks!

 

[Orange_Cleen]

Thank you!!!!

I'm pretty sure this fixed my issue. We'll see if it is a permanent long term fix, but so far so good!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've had this issue for quite some time but been too lazy to investigate. Finally got around to it. Long story short, I believe there is a plug that has too much tension which forced a connector to be loose in the plug. To fix, I cut tape (relieve tension) and added a zip tie (secured the plug). Been testing this about a week with my tailgate panel off. Steps & pictures below.

1. Remove both rear lights on the panel. I used a plastic pry tool to pop them out. Unclip & remove. You do not need to remove the 10mm bolt behind the lights.

2. Remove the cover from the grab handle. There is a 10mm bolt behind it. Remove the bolt.

3. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the panel and pop off the panel. It should just be plastic clips along the side & bottom.

4. In the center of the door you will see a metal bracket, black box, and a few plugs. Disconnect the harness that is not directly connected the black box (see attached pictures). In my case, a few of those wires were bent and slightly loose. I pressed on them with my fingers just to straighten them out.

5. The plug above is also secured to another harness using tape. Cut that tape. This should allow the harness to not have as much pressure.

6. Plug it back in. To take it a step further, I zip-tied that plug together to ensure a solid connection.

7. Put it all back together.

 

[jray29]

Never had this issue but I know a neighbor who has. thanks for sharing the fix

 

[genec]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've had this issue for quite some time but been too lazy to investigate. Finally got around to it. Long story short, I believe there is a plug that has too much tension which forced a connector to be loose in the plug. To fix, I cut tape (relieve tension) and added a zip tie (secured the plug). Been testing this about a week with my tailgate panel off. Steps & pictures below.

1. Remove both rear lights on the panel. I used a plastic pry tool to pop them out. Unclip & remove. You do not need to remove the 10mm bolt behind the lights.

2. Remove the cover from the grab handle. There is a 10mm bolt behind it. Remove the bolt.

3. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the panel and pop off the panel. It should just be plastic clips along the side & bottom.

4. In the center of the door you will see a metal bracket, black box, and a few plugs. Disconnect the harness that is not directly connected the black box (see attached pictures). In my case, a few of those wires were bent and slightly loose. I pressed on them with my fingers just to straighten them out.

5. The plug above is also secured to another harness using tape. Cut that tape. This should allow the harness to not have as much pressure.

6. Plug it back in. To take it a step further, I zip-tied that plug together to ensure a solid connection.

7. Put it all back together.

[MENTION=640550]GoHeels[/MENTION]: Thanks for posting this. After years of being annoyed and being really pissed off for the last couple of months, I found your post. Followed the instructions last Friday and after just 3 days, but many open/close cycles, I feel confident this has fixed the issue for me. Thank you. :cheers:

1/31/24: Still working!
3/5/24: Still working!

 

[5thGen4runnerB]

4runner rearview camera no working

The rearview camera on our 5th Gen (2016) Toyota 4runner has always had intermittent outages.

When the camera is not working, if you place the car in reverse you just see a black screen.

Note - if you open the rear hatch and place the car in reverse then the camera works.

I have had episodic success by
- opening the rear hatch
- artificially latching the rear latch onto a screwdriver,
- releasing the latch using the button (used to normally open the hatch), and
- closing the hatch.

When you place the car in reverse, the rearview camera now works, and will continue to work for months until another episode occurs.

Clearly in our case, the blackout has something to do with the rear latch mechanism (or how it's activation as "door closed") is interpreted by the head unit HD that displays the rearview camera image.

 

[mclinde]

Sorry to resurrect...

Resurrection... about 3 weeks ago my backup camera stopped working.
Symptom:when shifting in reverse the head unit screen goes "black" but no video from the camera. It's not intermittent, it has not worked in the last 3 weeks.
I read all the threads I could here.
Things I've done:
1. I checked for the switch in the center console, but since the head unit goes black, I think that's probably OK (detects going into reverse).
2. I toyed with the wiring at the top left of the hatch - I can't feel a connector in there and the rubber gasket is complete and attached at both ends, I'm not comfortable tearing into this unless it's really necessary.
3. I took the rear hatch interior panel off and checked that connectors/connections were not loose OR under stress, everything seems fine.
4. I took out the (OEM) head unit and made sure all of the connections in the back were solid, nothing loose and nothing looking damaged.

What I haven't tried (need to dig for clear information) is checking the fuse for the camera. I'm not sure which fuse it is and in which box (interior or engine compartment).

Finally, is there any way to "test" whether it's the camera or the wiring or something else?

Prior to this I have not had any issues with the camera, I have not replaced any components or done any wiring/electrical mods, and I just became unemployed so the $300+ in labor for a shop to diagnose this is a big ask.
Thanks

2015 4Runner LTD

 

[Spacemaster99]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've had this issue for quite some time but been too lazy to investigate. Finally got around to it. Long story short, I believe there is a plug that has too much tension which forced a connector to be loose in the plug. To fix, I cut tape (relieve tension) and added a zip tie (secured the plug). Been testing this about a week with my tailgate panel off. Steps & pictures below.

1. Remove both rear lights on the panel. I used a plastic pry tool to pop them out. Unclip & remove. You do not need to remove the 10mm bolt behind the lights.

2. Remove the cover from the grab handle. There is a 10mm bolt behind it. Remove the bolt.

3. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the panel and pop off the panel. It should just be plastic clips along the side & bottom.

4. In the center of the door you will see a metal bracket, black box, and a few plugs. Disconnect the harness that is not directly connected the black box (see attached pictures). In my case, a few of those wires were bent and slightly loose. I pressed on them with my fingers just to straighten them out.

5. The plug above is also secured to another harness using tape. Cut that tape. This should allow the harness to not have as much pressure.

6. Plug it back in. To take it a step further, I zip-tied that plug together to ensure a solid connection.

7. Put it all back together.

Thanks GoHeels. It took longer to read the thread than perform your fix.

 

[Ras_Thavas]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've had this issue for quite some time but been too lazy to investigate. Finally got around to it. Long story short, I believe there is a plug that has too much tension which forced a connector to be loose in the plug. To fix, I cut tape (relieve tension) and added a zip tie (secured the plug). Been testing this about a week with my tailgate panel off. Steps & pictures below.

1. Remove both rear lights on the panel. I used a plastic pry tool to pop them out. Unclip & remove. You do not need to remove the 10mm bolt behind the lights.

2. Remove the cover from the grab handle. There is a 10mm bolt behind it. Remove the bolt.

3. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the panel and pop off the panel. It should just be plastic clips along the side & bottom.

4. In the center of the door you will see a metal bracket, black box, and a few plugs. Disconnect the harness that is not directly connected the black box (see attached pictures). In my case, a few of those wires were bent and slightly loose. I pressed on them with my fingers just to straighten them out.

5. The plug above is also secured to another harness using tape. Cut that tape. This should allow the harness to not have as much pressure.

6. Plug it back in. To take it a step further, I zip-tied that plug together to ensure a solid connection.

7. Put it all back together.

Thanks for the pictures and instructions, it appears to have solved my problem.

I was having the same intermittent blank screen upon engaging reverse. Starting a couple of weeks ago it went from intermittent to just not working. I could see the strain on my wiring harness also. Cut the tape as instructed and the camera works again.

 

[superdave67]

Zip tie

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I've had this issue for quite some time but been too lazy to investigate. Finally got around to it. Long story short, I believe there is a plug that has too much tension which forced a connector to be loose in the plug. To fix, I cut tape (relieve tension) and added a zip tie (secured the plug). Been testing this about a week with my tailgate panel off. Steps & pictures below.

1. Remove both rear lights on the panel. I used a plastic pry tool to pop them out. Unclip & remove. You do not need to remove the 10mm bolt behind the lights.

2. Remove the cover from the grab handle. There is a 10mm bolt behind it. Remove the bolt.

3. Use a plastic pry tool to carefully go around the panel and pop off the panel. It should just be plastic clips along the side & bottom.

4. In the center of the door you will see a metal bracket, black box, and a few plugs. Disconnect the harness that is not directly connected the black box (see attached pictures). In my case, a few of those wires were bent and slightly loose. I pressed on them with my fingers just to straighten them out.

5. The plug above is also secured to another harness using tape. Cut that tape. This should allow the harness to not have as much pressure.

6. Plug it back in. To take it a step further, I zip-tied that plug together to ensure a solid connection.

7. Put it all back together.

Has this trick help up?

 

[kishstl64]

Getting ready to sell my 2016 Limited and this just started happening. I am going to try the rear panel removal fix.