Buzz
A rearview camera, also called a backup camera, enables you to see what's behind your vehicle without needing to glance backwards. While this feature is standard in many new car models, you can retrofit a rearview camera to your vehicle if it lacks one.
Steps
Acquiring the Necessary Gear
Get a mountable backup camera tailored to your car's make and model. Prioritize safety by opting for a device specifically engineered for use as a rearview camera. Opting for one designed for your exact vehicle will simplify installation compared to a generic aftermarket camera. Look for a camera that attaches to or mounts directly behind your license plate for easy installation.
- Explore backup camera options at retail stores specializing in consumer electronics.
Opt for an external monitor if you wish to retain your current rearview mirror. An external backup monitor is a compact video display that attaches to your windshield much like a GPS device. While they occupy more space compared to internal monitors, external monitors offer superior visibility and can be easily replaced when needed.
- If preferred, you can also utilize a standard video monitor. However, bear in mind that it may lack certain features found in devices specifically designed for use with backup cameras.
Invest in an internal monitor for a discreet solution. An internal backup monitor functions as a fully operational rearview mirror with a built-in screen housed within the glass. Some internal monitors attach onto your existing rearview mirror, while others completely replace it.
- Many internal monitors automatically deactivate and blend in when not in use, making them an ideal choice for maintaining your car's aesthetics.
Purchase power and video cables if they were not included with your camera and monitor. For most rearview camera installations, you'll require camera and monitor splitter cables equipped with connectors for power and video, 2 bare wire power cables, and an RCA video cable.
- While most installation kits include these cables, some may necessitate separate purchases.
- Certain camera models utilize wireless transmitters instead of traditional video cables.
Setting Up the Camera Cables
Remove your rear license plate. Utilize a Phillips head screwdriver to unscrew each screw securing your rear license plate. Then, carefully detach the plate and place it aside.
- Ensure you keep the screws in a secure location to prevent misplacement.
Detach the interior panel of your trunk. Open your trunk and locate the solid panel covering the area opposite your license plate. Then, use a trim removal tool or similar implement to pry off the panel.
- Removing this panel will reveal the rear wiring chambers of your car.
Drill a small hole in the license plate mounting area. Ensure there are no obstacles between the license plate mount and the rear wiring chamber. Then, use a power drill with a high-speed twist drill bit to create a small hole in your car. Position the hole directly behind where your camera's power and video cable will pass through.
- To determine the hole's location, hold your camera against the mounting area and note where its splitting cord sits.
- Make the hole large enough to accommodate your camera's power and video cable.
- If you encounter obstacles, attempt to remove them. If not possible, try creating a hole nearby.
- For most tasks, use a drill bit with a diameter between 1⁄8 and 1⁄4 in (0.32 and 0.64 cm).
Fit a rubber grommet around your camera cable. Before feeding your camera cable into the car, slide a rubber grommet onto it near the end without the split. These small rubber washers, readily available at most hardware stores, will secure the wire in place and prevent leaks.
- Select a grommet that fits snugly inside the drilled hole.
Thread the camera cable into your trunk. Pull the splitting end of your camera's video and power cable through the drilled hole and into the trunk of your car. Ensure it is pulled taut so the rubber grommet seats firmly in the drilled hole.
- The camera cable should run from outside the car to inside the car.
Identify your car's 2 reverse light wires. These wires connect your car's tail lights to the dashboard. They plug directly into the tail lights and are typically located in the hatch or trunk of your vehicle.
- Since these wires vary by vehicle, refer to your owner's manual if you're unable to locate them.
Prepare and isolate your car’s reverse light wires. Utilize a wire stripper or pliers to remove the rubber insulation from the wires. Next, puncture a hole in the center of each exposed wire using a screwdriver or similar tool, separating the individual wire strands.
- For safety reasons, ensure this is done with the car turned off.
Connect your camera wires to the reverse light wires. Affix one of the bare wire cables to the power connector of the camera cord. Then, thread your bare wires through the center of the exposed reverse light wires and twist them together. To ensure safety, wrap the combined wires with electrical tape.
- Ensure that the positive (typically red) bare wire is connected to the positive reverse light wire, and the negative (usually black) bare wire is connected to the negative reverse light wire.
Installing Your Monitor
Guide the camera’s video cable to the front of the vehicle. If required, connect your RCA cable to the video connector of the camera cord. Then, route it through your car to the area near the fuse box. In most cases, this can be achieved by removing the headliner or side panels and pulling the cable through the exposed space.
- For certain trucks, you might need to thread the video cable through the vehicle’s frame rail.
- In most cars, the fuse box is located beneath the steering wheel.
Attach external monitors to the front windshield. For installing an external monitor, begin by fixing the mount provided with your device to the windshield as per the manufacturer's instructions. Then, affix your monitor onto the mount.
- Many external monitors utilize a suction mount, although some may come with a more intricate mounting mechanism.
Fix internal monitors onto the rear-view mirror or its mount. Some internal monitors require clipping onto your existing rear-view mirror, while others involve removing the mirror and sliding in the monitor into its mount.
- Certain internal monitors might come with their own mounting mechanism that needs to be affixed to the front windshield of your car.
Route the splitter cable of the monitor to the fuse box. If needed, connect the power and video cable of your monitor to the device. Then, guide the cable from the monitor to the area adjacent to the fuse box.
- If desired, use a trim removal tool to pop out the headlining panel directly above your windshield. Then, pass your cable through the exposed space.
Link your monitor’s camera cable with the RCA cable. Once you have routed the splitter cable of your monitor, connect the video end of the cable to the RCA cord of your camera. Then, secure the connected cables with electrical tape.
- If both your RCA and video cables have identical ends, you may need to purchase an RCA male to female converter cord, available at most electronic stores.
Connect your monitor’s power cable to a fuse tap. Attach the remaining bare wire cable to the power cord of your backup monitor. Then, insert the positive (usually red) end of the bare wire cable into the open end of a fuse tap. Finally, crimp the two cables together using pliers.
- A fuse tap is a small cable that converts a bare wire into a fuse signal, obtainable at most auto part stores.
- If preferred, you can omit the bare wire cable and connect your camera’s power cable to a cigarette lighter adaptor. Then, plug this adaptor into your car’s cigarette lighter receptacle for power.
Insert the fuse tap into the fuse box. Locate your fuse box and open it. Then, insert your fuse tap into an available fuse cell. If needed, refer to your fuse box’s lid or your vehicle’s manual to identify open slots.
- After connecting your fuse, consider bundling all your wires together with electrical tape to keep them tidy and out of the way.
Installing the Camera
Link up your backup camera to its power and video cable. Once you've installed the rear-view monitor and connected all the necessary camera cords, head back to the rear of your car. If needed, close the trunk, then connect the backup camera to its power and video cable.
- The power and video cable of your camera should protrude from the hole you drilled in the license plate mounting area.
Secure the camera onto your license plate. If the camera attaches to the front of your license plate, secure it following the manufacturer's instructions. Alternatively, if the camera attaches to the back of your license plate, align the device with the plate’s fastener holes and thread screws through them.
- In most cases, you can attach a rear-view camera to the back of your license plate using the screws you removed from the car earlier.
Reinstall your license plate and trim panels. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to put your rear license plate back on your vehicle. After reattaching it, give the license plate and backup camera firm tugs to ensure they’re secure.
- If you haven’t already, reattach your car’s interior trunk panel and other trim panels by pressing them back onto the vehicle.
Conduct a camera test to confirm functionality. Before taking your vehicle onto public roads, conduct a test in a safe location like your driveway. If the camera powers on, position a large, sturdy object like a trash can behind the camera to assess the clarity of the image. If the camera fails to power on, consult your installation manual for troubleshooting guidance.
- Often, issues with rear-view cameras stem from loose or incorrectly connected wires.
Useful Tips
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While most car dealers and mechanics may decline to install aftermarket backup camera systems, numerous audio and electronic shops offer this service.
Important Warnings
- Ensure the vehicle is turned off before handling bare or stripped wires. If you must work with exposed wires while the car is on, wear shock-resistant rubber gloves as a safety precaution.
Essential Supplies
- Rear-view camera
- Rear-view monitor
- Connector cables
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Trim removal tool
- Power drill with high-speed twist bit
- Rubber grommet
- Wire stripper or pliers
- Electrical tape
- Fuse tap
