2012 Tacoma Back-Up Camera issue: FIXED!

The last year or so my Back-Up Camera on my 2012 Tacoma SR5 (base, 2.7L, 4X4, 5-Speed manual) has started working intermittently. It seems to work first thing in morning when I'm leaving home, but once vehicle warms up or been on the road for sometime it stops working? And sometimes if I aggressively put gear shift into reverse 2 or 3 times it will come on?

I really don't think the camera itself is bad. Possibly a loose wire or connection, but where to start? Can anyone give me a starting point where to begin looking? Or have you had this issue also and how did you resolve it? I appreciate the help. This back up camera has really spoiled me over the years and sure miss it!

 

Well, almost 3 months later after initial post on my back up camera. This morning an odd thing happened, my back up camera is working? Only thing I can think of is yesterday I hauled two bed fulls of mulch (each 1 cubit yard) for my home landscaping. For sure it wasn't working after the first load since I had to back into the nursery mulch area for second load. Possibly thinking the extra weight in bed being compressed did something to a wire? Crawled under truck and all looks normal. I'll see how long this holds up before I start monkeying with this again. At first thought camera was defective. Now I bet it's a connection.

 

A follow up on where I'm at now with backup camera that's located in my rear view mirror. On my 6/05 post when camera worked last, that only lasted one day. Last week I checked the camera itself inside the tailgate and followed all connections from rear of truck to fuse box. Nothing, all looked good and nothing loose? After work last night I stuck my hand up under dash before I started vehicle to go home and felt around under the dash. Then turned on vehicle, put it in reverse and I had a camera again!

Once home checked again and still working. For 5 minutes I kept going through the gears (5-speed manual) then back to reverse and the camera came on every time. Looked under dash and all looked good to me. Then this morning when backing out of garage no camera again.........

Is there a ground wire under the dash that anyone knows about that could be causing this problem? Or any suggestions? This has to be a simple fix that I'm over looking. Thanks.

 

Gave this problem another shot since I'm not having much luck fixing my Back Up Camera. I did notice something that was hoping would narrow this problem down, when I put gear shift in reverse I don't have back up lights either? I checked all the fuses and all look good. Could a burnt out back up light bulb, or one that is not fully inserted cause this?

This morning I'm going to take out the rear tail light assemblies and go over them. I still can't believe I haven't found the issue or found anyone here on Tacoma Forums that has had same problem chiming in. Even You Tube University isn't much help. Heaven forbid I take vehicle to the dealer......

 

It sounds like a switch or a relay is going bad. I bet the reverse lights and the camera are tied into the same switch and possibly same relay

 

My same thoughts, but what switch or relay? Wish I knew where to start. I've checked all my connections from back up camera all the way to the fuse box (both of them for that matter). I'm handicapped in the electrical department also other than for changing fuses or repairing damaged wiring.

Still surprised no on here on the forums hasn't had same issue. I've used search engine etc., nothing.

 

I’m having this same issue but just haven’t gotten around to figuring out what is causing it.

 

Did you check the plug inside the tailgate itself? The wire loom runs under the truck and then up to the tailgate through the gap (location of one plug). Once it gets into the tailgate itself, there is another plug where the cable lands in the camera housing. You have to take all the Torx bolts out and remove the tailgate skin to get at it. Might be a simple place to start.

 

Get in line, Tigerian......... lol.

 

Yes, removed the the tailgate covering and checked all the connections to the back up camera itself. Nothing loose or not properly connected as far as I could tell.

 

I think there is a switch screwed into the side of the transmission and I don't know which relay it is, you'd have to look it up

 

I'm thinking possibly backup switch that's located on transmission? Local Advance Auto Parts has one for $39. If I replace that switch hopefully I'll be back in business.

 

If that were the case wouldn't you also be having issues with everything else controlled by that switch..? Like reverse lights, dash PRND indicator light, etc? Cant imagine they have two switches, but Im not sure

 

I have had the issue as well in the past. The camera is currently working just fine and has been for quite some time. I eventually stopped worrying about it and will start to once it starts happening again. To me it seems like the issue may be at the molex connector which plugs directly into the camera at the tailgate itself.

 

this is for a automatic trans, only difference should be the park neutral switch. hope this helps

 

See the quote above...he is having issues with the backup lights and he has a MT so no PRND indicator. I'm betting the switch solves his problem.

 

Yup good call. I only skimmed the thread because I just happened to have the tailgate on my truck taken apart last night.

 

oops missed that part. most likely the switch. very easy repair.

 

I just went under my vehicle AGAIN looking for loose damaged wires or connections starting from camera itself inside tailgate (2nd time). Nothing. Called dealership parts department and ordered a new backup switch ($44) that connects to right side of transmission. Of course it's not in stock but they'll have this Friday. Hoping this solves issue....... will report back results.