Installed backup camera, now electrical problems

PabloPaulo

New member
I installed a backup camera (with monitor in the rearview mirror) of my 2005 4Runner Sport. I got it working apparently OK (cam/monitor came on when vehicle key is on and put in reverse), and then I put back all the panels, etc. I'd removed thinking I was good to go. However when I tried it again, there are problems...seems to be an electrical short affecting several things in the vehicle now. It may be that I dinged some wiring putting panels back, or did something while running the wire harness from the mirror, along the headliner, down the left side of windshield column, along the left floor panel area and then to the fusebox.

Symptoms are: when key is turned on, the aftermarket Sony radio (previously working fine) comes on for a few seconds then goes off. I saw its display go dim once before it went off. If I turn on the headlights, there's a fast intermittent quiet buzzing sound from lower left in the dash and some of the dash indicators flash quickly with the buzzing. The fuel gauge drops instantly (as if lost power) from the normal reading to "E". But other stuff stays on (interior lights, dash lights). I haven't tried to start the vehicle. If I turn off the key then try ACC power again after a short while, everything seems to work but then starts to do as described above, again.

I completely disconnected all wiring from the backup system and still have the same things happening. I presently have the battery disconnected and am going back to work on it now for a while but would appreciate any suggestions. All I can think is that I scraped/shorted a factory wire or knocked something loose as I was routing the harness down the left side of the windshield column or through the dash, then tying zip ties, etc. below the dash, to re-install this system today. I've undone most of that to no avail. I know this might be hard to diagnose but any ideas are welcome. Thanks.
 
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problem resolved?

Well, I think it may simply be that the battery had run down while I had the tunes cranked up and door hanging open during the several-hour install....it's an older, lightweight battery from previous owner I'd been thinking of replacing. When I reconnected it after having it off for 45 minutes, all looked OK but the 4runner wouldn't turn over/start, and the dash lights then went dim while I was trying, and the buzzing started up again. Put on a battery jumper, then it started and all seems to be functioning normally now.

Could be wrong but thought I'd post this before taking up anyone's time or brain cells. I'll report outcome tomorrow when I reconnect the backup camera but I have a feeling that rapid buzzing sound I heard was the same think I've encountered with other modern vehicles (Subaru) with a dying battery.
 
yeah, battery

Well in case anyone is reading these posts to myself, it was indeed a dying battery that was causing the oddities with my dash lights/radio, the headlights, and that buzzing sound in the dash. Once I got it charged up, and the vehicle started, I re-connected the backup cam/monitor mirror and everything is working fine.
 
I read the posts just now. Glad you got it figured out. Now if anyone searches for the symptoms you posted maybe they will find this and it will be helpful to them..
 

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