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Subject: Backup camera install write-up... Author: davidf : member since March, 2004 : 869 posts Posted on: 2008-04-21 12:42:48

Ok, I finished the installation of my backup camera on my 6/98. The install is pretty straight forward and easy using BMW's video module kit. Here is what I used:

66-21-0-397-639 Video Module installation kit
61-13-8-380-096 4 pin uncoded socket housing
61-13-0-005-197 (4 req'd) wire pigtails for socket housing
Boyo (Vision) VTL-200 license plate frame camera (metal frame)

Here is how I installed the kit:

Simply mount the video module to the TV module bracket. The mounting hardware is included in the kit.


First thing I did was connect the long wire harness to the control module (square part with purple wire loop). Note that multi-pin connectors are color coded, so easy to figure out what goes where. I positioned the control module behind the battery and in front of the right tail light. Once everything was connect to the control module, I wrapped the module in the supplied foam and zipped tied it to the existing wire harness.

Notice the purple wire loop. The module leaves the camera active for about 5 seconds after the transmission is moved out of reverse. If you want the camera to immediate switch off, then cut the purple wire.

Next, I ran the long wire harness across the back of the trunk area to the left side electronics bay. Sorry for all the poor quality phone pictures.


The other end of the long harness (now in electronics bay) must be terminated into the power harness (blue connector with one purple/white wire).

Pin outs are as follows:
Green to white/yellow reverse light wire.
Transparent to pin 24
Black/brown to pin 11
Black to pin 23
Red to pin 25
Brown to pin 12
White (not used)

There are also two free wires from the adapter harness (labeled Kamera in photo) that must be terminated into the blue power connector (same connector as above):
Red/green to pin 26
Brown to pin 13

The purple/white wire from the power connector goes to the Terminal "R" unloader relay (splice into the same purple/white colored wire at the relay).


I modified the connector at the end of the power harness to allow for future connection to Terminal R power (using supplied single pin connectors). Compare this photo to the unmodified version in kit and you will see what I have done. The loose wire is what is spliced into the terminal R unloader relay shown in above photo.


Connect the control module/power/adapter harness' to the video module and nav computer. You are done with the electronics bay side.



Now it is time to connect the camera. The camer is connected to the control module now located behind battery. The camera connects to the 4 pin socket in the control module. Make a connection harness using the supplied camera pigtail (from Boyo) and the BMW wire pigtails and 4 pin socket housing as such:

Pinout:
Black (from black and yellow cable) to pin 1 (video -)
Yellow (from black and yellow cable) to pin 2 (video +)
Black (from black and red cable) to pin 3 (-12V)
Red (from black and red cable) to pin 4 (+6V)

Notice pin 4 of the control module only supplies 6volt power. What this means is that the camera you select (if not the Boyo VTL series) must be able to operate properly with a voltage as low as 6 volts.

Camera ready to go


To mount the camera frame, a hole must be drilled for the wire to pass through the deck lid (trunk lid). You can just make out the hole next to the license plate screw hole at upper right. The hole is just large enough for the mini 3 pin connector to pass through. The camera pigtail comes with two rubber grommets. I used the smaller of the two to seal the hole/wire.



camera install


The long wire harness in the BMW kit comes with an "insertion" tool pre-attached to one end of the harness. I removed the tool (long plastic rod) and taped it to the end of the long camera harness (taped to end with 3 pin mini conector).


Then, using the insertion tool, I fished the long camera wire up from the battery compartment area through the corrugated rubber wire sleeve to the deck lid. The plastic tool made this very easy. Hint: lube the tool and wire with silicon grease (or similiar).

Follow the wire harness in the deck lid with the camera wire and button it all up. The other end of the camera wire goes to the control module in batter compartment. Bundle it all up, tie it off and you are done.


I am sure I left out a critical detail or two, so if you have any questions, let me know. Total cost of project (with my 20% tax free dealer discount) was $450.00

• Backup camera install write-up... (pic) - davidf 2008-04-21 12:42:48 (4894 views)
  • Speed control input for backup camera? RCA input possible? - JohnG 2008-04-22 17:00:08 (256 views)
    • Almost forgot... - davidf 2008-04-23 09:52:33 (201 views)
      • You could but the speed controlled input - saft6luck 2008-04-24 02:02:35 (213 views)
    • Kiwijochen has it pretty much correct, let me say it another way... - davidf 2008-04-23 09:43:45 (205 views)
    • Re: Speed control input for backup camera? RCA input possible? - kiwijochen 2008-04-23 02:38:53 (197 views)
      • Ahh, I see - the US market only gets a night vision camera - JohnG 2008-04-23 10:36:28 (173 views)
        • Front camea. (url) - Roy In GA 2008-04-23 22:08:15 (260 views)
        • The harness can be pinned out anyway you like... - davidf 2008-04-23 22:01:15 (199 views)
          • I see - sounds like this module may not be best for rear view + dvd then - JohnG 2008-04-24 10:01:01 (184 views)
            • If I was going to add DVD, then I would put reverse camera on ... - davidf 2008-04-24 22:20:58 (191 views)
              • Thanks for the input! 1)backup camera 2)maybe DVD or video ipod later - JohnG 2008-04-25 09:31:08 (194 views)
  • There is another kit... - davidf 2008-04-22 10:05:52 (254 views)
    • Anyone know all the entire PIN out for the BLUE connector? (pic) - ripp222 2008-04-26 20:11:48 (299 views)
      • Here's a pic showing what 14 of the Pins are... (pic) - ripp222 2008-04-26 23:02:53 (302 views)
        • Switchbox supports at least 3 Video Inputs!! - ripp222 2008-05-02 10:38:19 (207 views)
  • Terrific work! So that little video module is something new from BMW? - DavidC 2008-04-21 12:52:10 (214 views)
    • yes, little box is video module, it is NOT a TV tuner... - davidf 2008-04-21 15:12:44 (310 views)