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I bought an aftermarket backup sensor kit for my 2017 MCS and seem to be having problems getting the system to work correctly. I think I'm having problems getting the unit to power on at the right times. I hooked into the reverse light wiring on the driver's side (gray with blue stripe wire) and grounded to the ground bunch in the same area (all brown wiring).
Unit seems to turn on by itself when you turn the car on (key on or engine running) and randomly "chirps" while driving. Help!
The voltage to the rear lights isn't perfectly even - the car varies the signal both to check proper bulb function and after warming up the bulb. Because of this, you'll get more reliable results using the reverse light not to directly power the accessory, but to act as the switching signal for a relay that takes power from a known-consistent source. Such as the boot power outlet.
I had similar trouble with the backup camera I installed into my spouse's Countryman. Adding a relay solved it nicely.
The voltage to the rear lights isn't perfectly even - the car varies the signal both to check proper bulb function and after warming up the bulb. Because of this, you'll get more reliable results using the reverse light not to directly power the accessory, but to act as the switching signal for a relay that takes power from a known-consistent source. Such as the boot power outlet.
I had similar trouble with the backup camera I installed into my spouse's Countryman. Adding a relay solved it nicely.
What backup camera did you install on the countryman?
The voltage to the rear lights isn't perfectly even - the car varies the signal both to check proper bulb function and after warming up the bulb. Because of this, you'll get more reliable results using the reverse light not to directly power the accessory, but to act as the switching signal for a relay that takes power from a known-consistent source. Such as the boot power outlet.
I had similar trouble with the backup camera I installed into my spouse's Countryman. Adding a relay solved it nicely.
I was wondering if something like this was going on. I'll put the relay in and report back. Thanks!
This way I could avoid adding any holes to the bodywork; my spouse gets jumpy when I get out the dremel around her car! It works pretty well at night, too. My expectations were low but the night image is very usable.
I also used an Esky brand ES-15 4.3" screen up front:
(Long after I installed it, I discovered that this is The Wirecutter's recommended pick for backup camera screens. Everything they wrote is true. It's great.)
A few pics attached.
Screen, with a few things laid out to get a baseline to locate things in the camera.
Pulled the center trim to tap power for the screen from the cigarette lighter. Power runs up behind the stereo to the camera radio receiver and screen inside the dash's center vent. The screen is mounted next to the vent. (Sorry, no handy picture of it mounted up.)
Lastly, this one's for OP – a wiring diagram I picked up from the forums here:
Confirmed. Installed a air source relay with diode #1252. Pulled power from the 12v power port in the boot area and used the grey wire with red tracer as my "trigger" wire. Works like a charm.
See diagram above (for back up camera) for wiring of the relay.
It works pretty well at night, too. My expectations were low but the night image is very usable.
