Reverse Camera Wiring Question

Hello - quick question for you guys. I’m troubleshooting an issue with Crutchfield where the backup camera on a new head unit is showing a black screen. They seem to think I need to solder the connections rather than twisting them together. Does that sound reasonable to you guys? Should I be able to at least test the connection before soldering?

Thanks!

(Crutchfield if you’re reading you’re very helpful, but as comerade Stalin says - Trust but verify)

 

If it’s a good military splice it should be fine for a camera. At least half an inch of bare wire on the factory wire, and half an inch or more of your new wire. Do the ole poke-and-wrap and you should be set.

 

Thanks!

 

In most shops, nothing will get soldered but data connections when installing remote starts and security systems.

I didn’t solder basic connections like camera signals until pretty recently (Milwaukee m12 soldering iron was my best tool investment) but I would always use a military splice and 2 skinny zip ties to ensure a solid tug-proof connection. haven’t had anyone report a failure so far.

 

I went ahead and soldered to make the crutchfield folks happy, but I'm still having the issue. Everything seems to work other than the picture - I see the lines, and when I shift into reverse it switches to the camera. Is there anything else I could be missing here? I verified (numerous times) that I've got the wires hooked up according to the diagram that came with the maestro.

Edit: Relevant Information - I have a 2015 Taco that had the camera going to the OEM HU. The new HU is a Kenwood DMX906S, and I'm using a Maestro.

 

This is going to be a dumb question but I’m going to ask it anyway. Is your RCA plugged into the correct input on the radio? Typically it is brown, or at least labeled as “rear camera”

 

not a dumb question - and yes it is plugged into the cable labelled rear camera. At one point I actually tried switching to the front camera connection to see if it popped up there but no dice.

 

That RCA is either tied into the wrong wires, or the camera is not getting power. Give me the details. Where is your rca spliced, and what wire colors are you using. Also, what year truck

 

My money is on this.

 

It's a 2015 - I've got the cables spliced to the wires that were behind the head unit. Here's how I did it, and I'm attaching a picture:

Maestro / Cables in Dash
Blue Yellow / Black
Black(Ground) / Bare wire (wrapped in tape)
Yellow / Red
Brown / White

 

You might want to practice and redo that solder job. Not saying it won't work but damn bro.

 

If it works I’ll tape it up and it will just be between us...

 

Is your stock back up camera in the rear view mirror?

 

Any chance you have a multimeter? I would want to test the blue/yellow cam power for voltage (should be 6v if its like most toyotas)

 

No it's in the head unit

 

I actually got one just for this purpose. What's the best way to test? Put the red lead on the blue/yellow wire and the black lead on the ground?

 

I would do the black lead on some other metal surface. the big crossbar in the back or just sticking it in one of the radio's mounting holes (where the 10mm's go in)

 

butt connectors would've been a better alternative too

 

Ok gotcha thanks will do that tomorrow when I can pull everything out.

 

the hard part is, it all has to be hooked up in order to properly test it. it's going to be a challenge to manage all the wiring and keep the radio hooked up and test that wire