crowz

I installed a backup camera on my 87 convertible today and Im to the point that I need a signal to trigger the radio when the cars in reverse.

Any ideas if theres anything inside the car that has power when the cars in reverse? Well power or ground. I can use either.

I know the reverse light switch is in the transmission (outside the car) and the wires for the reverse lights themselves at the back of the car (outside the care) but I need something inside to keep from running another wire outside the car if I can help it.

crowz

Ok I figured out where to pull the signal from but I don't know the wire colors for sure. In case someone else needs this info later I'll post the wire colors etc when I get a chance to finish this tomorrow hopefully.

crowz

Ok I mentioned pictures but considering what I went thru to get to the wire for the reverse lights on the shifter there was no way to get the camera in there. So...

The wire you want is light green. Sticks out great so no problem identifying it.

Its in the plug that goes into the huge switch on the side of the automatic shifter. Remove the console lid and lift it up as far as you can (which isn't far enough because of the shifter **** which I didn't feel like trying to remove).

The plug has several wires in it but the light green is so bright in color its easy to spot. Seeing it is EASY, doing anything with it is a royal PAIN.

But that's the wire you need to tap for the reverse signal. It goes 12volt hot aka positive when the cars in reverse.

Again sorry for no pictures but there just wasn't anyway for me to get the camera on it.

antfarmer2

Good job let us know how you like it. I got one from the factory for the wifes Hummer but I never use it just foget it has it lol

crowz

I like it so far. I will post some pics of it in action in a few days. Weathers horrible here with weird sudden lightning storms forming hourly so I have the car back covered up again.

I need to aim it up higher but I don't know if I can. It works fine but the grid it puts up is too low to the ground to be as useful as it would be aimed up more.

Been working between storms to get it done

enventr

I was thinking of adding one but I know the mounting location would be hard to determine. My other car has one and I'm used to it and you can't even notice it has one ( factory) Where did you mount your camera? Can you tilt the lens or offset it with a half of a rubber grommet so it won't be so low

crowz

I went beside the tag light above the tag. Its almost invisible there and looks factory. I'll try to shoot a pic of it today.

crowz

Heres the pics of the backup camera. Car needs washing but weather isn't being nice for that.

crowz

Also all that stuff on the back of the car that looks like its been hit are actually reflections of stuff behind the car.

antfarmer2

Lol so dirty I can see you nice car. Looks like you can use the camera to hunt knight crawlers. Can you see anything behind you yet?

crowz

It actually will show an 18 wheelers trailer worth to the left and right and covers a wide area up too. Was worried about the downward angle but it has a 170 degree field of view and night vision. I need to shoot some pics of the screen with it on. Just haven't had a chance to drive it with the weather being crappy.

Heres the camera. Not bad for $15.99

antfarmer2

Good deal

enventr

It does look like factory and a great price. You did a nice installation.

crowz

Thanks !

crowz

That probably would be easier for younger folks. At my age its probably easier to do the console just because I don't do upside down with my head in the floorboard as well as I did when I was younger

But if you can handle being inverted like that your idea would be better than what I did probably.

VikingTrad3r

I know crowZ is still very active and he may have further comments on this. I am about to install a back up cam in my 86 but I have the 4+3. This thread has been about automatics so far.

JimLentz

For my '92 I bought a camera that has a reverse wire integrated into the video cable. That way once you've run the video cable to your radio and connected the camera end of the cable to the backup lights you don't need to find a wire inside the car. The funny thing is after I got it all wired up I found the backup light switch on the ZF6 isn't working, so I have to replace it or clean it and hope it works.

A Peter C4

Some off the new wireless cameras,lens portion just tap in at reverse wire right near rear plate , 1 wire for power and activation, then power is only needed at camera screen in car.

crowz

I never did put a backup camera on the 4+3 coupe I had years ago so I don't have any first hand experience but the info posted about by others should solve it for you.