Backup camera installation on 88 A4
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Backup camera installation on 88 A4
My new radio has a provision for a backup camera. A wire on the radio needs to be spliced into the light green wire (turns on the backup lights) that runs from the transmission shifter to the backup lights. There is no room to splice the green wire under the console at the Trans. switch. Is there any better location to find the green wire other than going all the way to the backup light socket?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,306
Likes: 242
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Is this so the monitor can auto on, during reversing ?
You could put a switch near the ALDL connector and send 12v to that wire. That way you can monitor whats going on behind you, at any time and without the reverse lights going on.
You could put a switch near the ALDL connector and send 12v to that wire. That way you can monitor whats going on behind you, at any time and without the reverse lights going on.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,386
Likes: 2,738
You likely only have two other options. C209 right side of dash and C402. Both of those locations should be easily located and if you check the 8A-112 you'll see the options. There should also be images of the locations in the 8A-201 section. I'd say there are no issues.
I didn't use an '88 FSM but what I expect should be something very similar in another.
I didn't use an '88 FSM but what I expect should be something very similar in another.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Jun 7, 2016 at 08:07 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Driving a mostly un-modified C4 I would think it might be handy to see what is coming up fast behind me. Nice to hear from up Agent 86.
I have the FSM so I will look at the locations you suggested. I think the transmission shifter wires hug the passenger side console and disappear somewhere after that. Like a dummy I should have tapped into it before I added new carpet. Right now my connector wire has stopped in the compartment behind the passenger seat.
I’m slightly addicted to using the backup camera that is on my C7 so why not make my C4 just as easy to go backwards.
I have the FSM so I will look at the locations you suggested. I think the transmission shifter wires hug the passenger side console and disappear somewhere after that. Like a dummy I should have tapped into it before I added new carpet. Right now my connector wire has stopped in the compartment behind the passenger seat.
I’m slightly addicted to using the backup camera that is on my C7 so why not make my C4 just as easy to go backwards.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
You likely only have two other options. C209 right side of dash and C402. Both of those locations should be easily located and if you check the 8A-112 you'll see the options. There should also be images of the locations in the 8A-201 section. I'd say there are no issues.
I didn't use an '88 FSM but what I expect should be something very similar in another.
I didn't use an '88 FSM but what I expect should be something very similar in another.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,386
Likes: 2,738
WVZR-1 hope you are listening. I checked my manual and if C209 is inside the dash or inside the hush panel I don't want to go back there again. I do notice the wire harness runs along the passenger side sill cover and climbs up the rear wall to the halo pillar location G401 coupe. If this correct I can tap in there as the sill is easily removed.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
C403 for a coupe and the image is on 8A-201-13 - B. The image is deceptive but if you can access G401 you'll have no issue finding C403. It's behind the wheel-house and likely only need to pull carpet right side. If you're looking to cut/splice locate the LT GREEN wire at the connector and go to where it suits "you". LT GREEN is likely in the wire bundle you already mentioned.
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From: Fredonia WI
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut
I would spend as much money as you can on a good camera if you don't want to replace it every 2-3 years.
Here is a camera I bought for one of my vehicles. After about 4 years it needed replacing due to burn in.
https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLCM18BC...=backup+camera
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Unless your backup lights are burned out/missing, I would not waste my time using a camera with IR LED's. The cameras used in backup camera's are usually low LUX units and can see well with little to no light. IR LED's just make the space available that much more cramped.
I would spend as much money as you can on a good camera if you don't want to replace it every 2-3 years.
Here is a camera I bought for one of my vehicles. After about 4 years it needed replacing due to burn in.
https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLCM18BC...=backup+camera
I would spend as much money as you can on a good camera if you don't want to replace it every 2-3 years.
Here is a camera I bought for one of my vehicles. After about 4 years it needed replacing due to burn in.
https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-PLCM18BC...=backup+camera
Last edited by HAD2HAV2; Jun 8, 2016 at 10:19 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 51
From: Connecticut
By burn in I meant that the camera started to show artifacts on the screen. Artifacts are dark or bright places on a monitor that are not actually there and are usually caused by continuous or continued exposure to bright lights. These items were burned into the camera and once I replaced the camera with a new one everything was clear again.