Rigging backup camera monitor

[ReconH3]

My 08 H3 came with a backup cam that comes on in reverse. A monitor pops out of the rearview mirror every time it's being used. I need help from the electrical geniuses of this forum. How can I get it to come on and stay on when I turn the ignition on, instead of reverse? I need to do this because I no longer have a rear window. Even though I'm used to driving with only side view mirrors, I would like to have this third view, since I have it already from the factory. I think it's just a simple find the ignition switched cable and swap it out with the reverse signal cable. I have a feeling that the voltages aren't the same since the almighty BCM is what probably controls it. From What I have come to understand, the BCM signals are 5 volts, instead of the 12 volts the ignition has. I could be completely wrong with all this, and that is why I need help from the people who actually know. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA

 

[benlaud87]

Im not sure how its wired really, but you could splice off of the reverse wire to have it switched on while in drive as well as reverse. Depending on how its wired though, that could cause the circuit to stay open therefore not work unless you are in both R and D at the same time somehow. I always try to look at every circuit as simple as I can. Unfortunately that doesnt always work for vehicle electronics/computers.

 

[f5moab]

It's already connected to the reverse wire for a reverse signal turn on.

Receives power from the rearview vision fuse 18. The signal to turn on comes from the reverse signal supplied through a backup relay (not shown in this schematic). This reverse signal tells the camere to turn on and send out the signals. No problem, just tap into the reverse wire with power and it should turn on the camera and send signals to the mirror.

Problem is the mirror. It appears the signal to the motor to slide the screen out, is the same reverse signal used to signal the mirror to un-dim. The inside mirrors are auto dimming; however there is an override circuit to un-dim the mirror when in reverse. So it you tap power into the brown wire at the mirror, it will never dim.

You could probably run a power wire into a switch, then off the switch go with two wires, one to the mirror and to the camera and then flip a switch to turn it on.

Per the diagrams I have from the GM manual, this should work. But I am reliant upon the diagrams being correct. (Usually they are.)

You could do some checking at the connector at the camera....
Put a voltmeter on the L-gn wire into the camera, and see if it powers up in reverse (it should). But better safe than sorry.

 

[ReconH3]

Thanks for the great info. I don't care if the mirror dims since I don't use it except to look and see what my son is up to. Remember I don't have a rear window. I'm going to buy a tester to see what kind of voltage I get with each wire. The idea is to have the cam on when I turn on the ignition.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

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[Hunner]

I always wanted to do that when towing to see the trailer hitch. I was scared to mess with it, but I'm getting braver in my old age.

 

[ReconH3]

Well if mine doesn't blow up, or go up in flames, then you be able to do the same setup.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

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[Keoki]

Ok reviving an old thread. I stopped by my local salvage yard today out of curiosity and found the rear view mirror like recon's but my h3 didn't have the option told the guy i would give him 40 for the mirror he didn't care so he said yeah. Well plugged it in just to see what wires i would have to run to get it to work. The screen popped out and no video naturally since there is no cam. I was wondering if anyone can take a pic of the harness on the back so i can figure out which lead is the video feed. Thanks all in advance

 

[ReconH3]

I'm away from my H3 so I won't be able to help. Sorry.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

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[HBH3]

Long time but wondering...

I'm away from my H3 so I won't be able to help. Sorry.


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

Hey I am wondering if you ever got the rear camera working?
I am in the middle of adding it to my '09 H3 (not the mirror though) and I am wondering if aside from the camera itself, the replacement hitch harness, do I need anything else? Is the main harness already configured for rear view camera?

 

[ReconH3]

Nope. Never got to rigging it up to stay on. Sorry.

 

[Bruces]

You can just buy a pyle kit and just run the wires in the cab. My 07 did not come with a rear cam but I installed one. Mine is only for backing but you can use it switched to be on all the time. My kit is made so that you can put a cam up front as well. Down side is the cmos cams will burn out if used for extremely long periods.

Also so my kit came with a small monitor so I installed it near driver pillar. I can get a pic later and update post

 

[Bruces]

You can just buy a pyle kit and just run the wires in the cab. My 07 did not come with a rear cam but I installed one. Mine is only for backing but you can use it switched to be on all the time. My kit is made so that you can put a cam up front as well. Down side is the cmos cams will burn out if used for extremely long periods.

Also so my kit came with a small monitor so I installed it near driver pillar. Here is pic of monitor on dash and camera installed in back bumper above hitch.