Replacing Reversing Camera

[Beady]

Having spent about 3 hours giving the car a really good clean last weekend the reversing camera seems to have given up.

I used a pressure washer and I think water may have got into the camera or a cable connection somehow (most likely the camera I think).

The image sometimes shows nothing (just a black screen) and sometime a very distorted image, sometimes readable and sometimes not.

I had hoped it would dry out and be ok but no joy 1 week later.

I have enquired from my dealer about the cost to replace, braced for reply!

Has anyone replaced the camera and if so how easy is it to do yourself?

I have had a quick look but could not even work out how it was fixed in place to allow me to remove it....

 

thanks

 

 

 

 

[Bibs]

The camera (£235 + VAT!) is mounted using a bracket, number 8 in this diagram.

 

[TBD]

The camera is an  Alpine HCE-C105 unit, you may be able to get that at a lower price on the web: http://www.ghd24.de/Multimedia/Rueckfahrsysteme/Alpine-HCE-C105---Rueckfahrkamera.html?refID=1 (199 € inkl. VAT )

 

It is never a good idea to use a high pressure hose on your car directly. Aside from getting into unwanted places (like your camera) its also hell to the paint, the dirt you spray off works like sandpaper. 

Edited February 19, 2014 by TBD

[Ryanmt]

Looks like that part has been replaced with HCE-C115 which has a different casing, might be a bit more reliable - the camera specs look the same.

[Ryanmt]

My evora has this issue too it seems.

I don't fancy replacing it with the alpine one though. The quality is nothing special and its expensive.I get the feeling they set the price 10 years ago and havent lowered it since. You can get ones on eBay for 20 quid with the same lux rating and wide a angle etc.

They also don't even need the separate control unit and are composite out so will be plug and play.

For 20 quid I figure its worth a go. I'll post up my results

[sellman]

Thats good value. Could they be fitted to cars without the reverse camera installed??

[Ryanmt]

Long as the headunit is ok with it yeh.. Pretty much any double din stereo has a composite in.

Not sure if the standard bumper has the gap between the plate lights but it probably has.

This seems very similar to the stanard size one

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=350874699900

Edited February 22, 2014 by Ryanmt

[Bibs]

The head unit would need a signal from reverse gear too unless you wanted to switch to the comp input manually each time.

[sellman]

Thats incredible value!!

[Ryanmt]

Usually bibs the camera is powered with the reverse switch and the head unit auto switches when the signal from the camera goes on.. So not feed to the head unit feed to the camera.

[TBD]

No, the camera is powered by the reversing light and the ICE gets the reverse signal from the shifter.

[Ryanmt]

Yep, just got the manual for the stereo and saw the wiring, you guys are right. Sorry bibs

 

The original camera is a CMOS one, CCD are supposed to be better quality so am going to buy one of those.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261132020864?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181133652040?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[carlpcross]

any news on the camera ryan?

[Beady]

mine booked into main dealer for a new one in 2 weeks.

[Ryanmt]

Gone with the sony CCD one, its en route from china will update soon as it arrives / fitted

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261132020864?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

 

Ive got a recorder i can hook it up to for sample videos - I dont have anything to compare it to since mines knackered though. Im hoping it will be an improvement on standard!

Edited March 7, 2014 by Ryanmt

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Following this thread with interest. Mine's bust too.

[Beady]

so with the car booked into the dealer for replacement camera later this week, today, 1 month after it stopped working, the camera has amazingly come back to life with a perfect (well almost) image.

2 weeks of dry weather.....

[Ryanmt]

Odd, mine livened up a bit today too. I even washed it at the weekend.

 

Still waiting on delivery from China..!

[LotusLeftLotusRight]

Got my replacement Alpine camera fitted today at Lotus Silverstone. Works well, although you have to wait a few seconds for the Head Unit to wake up if reversing straight from start-up.

[Bibs]

The exhaust often steams the lens up from start too!!

[Ryanmt]

To update people - the first camera took ages to arrive and I ended up getting a full refund then the camera actually turned up. The qualtiy was OK but not great in the dark probably on par with the alpine though..  I didnt like the reversing lines it projected on the screen though...

 

I bought another off ebay minus the parking lines from a UK seller - and it was craptastic, so thats gone back.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151297879196?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 Im fairly sure its not even a genuine CCD

[cweeden]

My camera also packed up but sparked into life after about 6 months!

[Ryanmt]

Mine has good days and bad days. Often is at dusk after its rained it works best.. no idea why!

https://www.eonon.com/Others/Camera/A0120.html bought this one now but guess it wont arrive for a while.. 3rd time lucky?!

[Beady]

I bought the original spec alpine camera and got the dealer to fit it. all perfect now.

no more jetwash!

[Ryanmt]

Slightly delayed update - can't play in or with cars at the moment due to knee surgery

Camera arrived and its great - really good quality even on a 42" tv so should look great on the headunit. Works really well in the dark so im pleased with it. Total cost was £37.

Next up is to run the wire from the number plate to connect to the coaxial connector behind the drivers seat in the rear 1/4. This means i can remove the alpine camera and its orignal control unit.