If your backup camera is showing your license plate, you have a problem. Luckily, we have solutions for you that will help you ensure that this problem doesn’t stay a permanent one. Follow along with this blog and we’ll take you through the troubleshooting process when your backup camera isn’t doing what it’s supposed to.
Step 1. Clean and Adjust Your Backup Camera
If your backup camera isn’t giving you a solid view of what’s behind your vehicle, it may just need cleaning or adjustment.
Backup camera lenses are treated to repel water and be scratch resistant, but it never hurts to give the lens a thorough cleaning beforehand. Get a microfiber cloth and a lens cleaner of any variety, and wipe down the lens. While you’re at it, make sure and check for any cracks or leaks in the casing of the camera. If there are any, make sure to seal them up before making any adjustments; you don’t want to create any more problems before you’ve gotten started.
Adjustment is often pretty self-explanatory. Check the housing holding the backup camera in place, and make sure that it’s not loose or wobbly. If it is, you may just need to replace the grommet that protects the wiring for the camera (more on this in a minute). Replacing this will re-seat the camera and ensure that it’s very snug.
A maintenance partner can be very helpful here. Have them sit up front and keep an eye on the backup camera while you adjust its position to ensure that it’s facing the right way. The camera might just need a little TLC before it’s back to looking at the right thing--the road.
Step 2. Open Your Trunk and Reseat the Backup Camera
If your backup camera isn’t seated properly or is hanging loosely from its mount and you can’t seem to make it fit back in or adjust it easily, it’s probably a good idea to check the grommet that is protecting the wires for the camera.
First, you’ll need to open the rear panel of the trunk so you can get access to the wiring and mount for the camera. Remove the interior panel of your trunk. This is likely hard plastic or rubber, and you should be able to use a think tool like a flathead screwdriver to pry it off. This won’t break anything, and it will give you a good look at all the cables necessary. Most things can be finessed out, if you’re snapping plastic you’re getting too aggressive during the install.
Once you’ve gotten access to the interior panel, you should be able to see the mount and wiring for your backup camera. If your display is just showing the license plate, your wiring situation is probably fine, so you can leave that alone. If your mount is broken, you might need to find a replacement.
You might just have a problem with the hole that the camera is seated in. If that’s the case, simply drill a new one, insert the grommet, and feed the camera and its wiring through. You may have to cut the wire connections on the camera and splice them back together.
However, if there’s serious damage to the camera that is resulting in it having an unclear or blurry picture, it’s likely time for a replacement.
Step 3. Replace the Backup Camera
If you find yourself needing to replace the backup camera in your vehicle, because your backup camera shows a license plate, or is otherwise nonfunctional, we’re here to help. Our site features full backup camera installation guides that will walk you through every step of the way!
Camera Source has a wide variety of commercial and automotive backup cameras. The benefits of using an aftermarket solution like one of our cameras is that you have many more customization and installation options. Don’t want to bother with a complex and lengthy installation process? Go for a wireless camera. Want to incorporate your display into a rearview mirror camera? We have those as well. Our online store provides all the tools and equipment you’ll need to make sure that your backup camera is functioning properly.
Questions? Get in touch with us, or browse our online store.
