This message is marked as Important.

Subject: Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 2) Author: farnarkler : member since February, 2004 : 1362 posts Posted on: 2006-10-07 06:20:31

Well, I managed to finish my reversing camera install. This is the second and final write-up describing how I went about it. Part one is here.

Basically, it was a bitch getting the wires down the rubber tube between the trunk lid and the body of the car. There were so many wires in there already that the cable assembly shown here:

looked way too big to fit in there as well. The picture shows that I made it but basically, it took me about 4 hours of struggle and blasphemies to get it through. The trick I used was using talcum powder as a lubricant (it went everywhere) then forcing a piece of plastic tubing UP the rubber tube. I then pushing the ends of the wires into that plastic tube before feeding it back down. Hope that makes sense. I don't have a picture. The trim inside the boot had to come out next along with the spare tyre and the plastic piece running across the boot near the latch. I could then feed the wires across.

After connecting everything up I expectantly turned it on. The display went blank. Bummer. I then believed that the likely problem was my old version video module (VM) which I plan to upgrade one day but Brian and Roy in GA convinced me that it should work even with my old VM. I rechecked the wiring and even hooked in another camera to see if that was the problem - but to no avail. My oscilliscope showed I was getting a video signal at the VM so I was stumped until I checked to see if the TV was still working OK. It was - but then the reversing camera worked! It seems as if my model VM Part# 6 900 859 has this amazing quirk where the reversing camera only works if the TV has been turned on first. Once it has been on - even for a few seconds - the reversing camera operates even if you switch to another function. I now have to turn on the TV each time I start the car. Better get that new VM soon. If any of you fit a reversing camera and it doesn't work at first - it is worth turning on the TV to see if that gets it going.

Before I finish let me say that one small problem I had was deciphering the colours marked on the installation instructions. GR = Green but while the text was in English it appears as if some or all of the wire abbreviations were still based on the German language. Brian kindly sent me the following which may be of help to others.

"The wire colors can be a bear. You are looking at the German abbreviations of the German words for the colors, so you really have to retrain yourself. Try this:

BR brown
GE yellow
GN green
OR orange
VI violet
GR grey
SW black
WS white
RT red
BL blue
TR transparent"

Farnarkler - '97 740iL Tow Hitch, UGDO, Always on TV, NAV, Tiptronic, Ultrasonic Alarm

• Genuine BMW Rear View Camera Retrofit (Part 2) (pic) (url) - farnarkler 2006-10-07 06:20:31 (2742 views)
  • Interesting discoveries! - farnarkler 2006-10-10 08:43:54 (188 views)
    • I've Always Loved Guinea Pigs...... - Kevin Brown 2006-10-10 16:36:32 (246 views)
      • Great Write UPp Fanarkler - mharv 2006-10-10 16:58:28 (147 views)
  • Congrats on getting what sounds like a tough job done & working! - sealbeach740 2006-10-07 17:01:33 (262 views)
    • Items are closer than they appear! (pic) - farnarkler 2006-10-07 19:42:52 (458 views)
      • Leaves falling off of trees? - Kevin Brown 2006-10-07 20:05:45 (166 views)
        • Wifey has never driven the car but I am well capable of an oops. - farnarkler 2006-10-07 22:58:39 (336 views)
          • Alternative camera... - catboy 2006-10-11 03:41:25 (293 views)
            • Re: Alternative camera... - richardp 2006-10-17 10:04:03 (245 views)
            • That would be very interesting - a buddy of mine has an - sealbeach740 2006-10-11 18:49:11 (165 views)
  • Thank you for the write up! - Kevin Brown 2006-10-07 14:14:34 (256 views)