Thats a great Idea! Do not know how.
How about running a on ,off switch from the side door to make it think
the door is open?

 

thats actually a really good idea, good to see who is behind you even when not going in reverse.

 

That's what I was thinking. I would think the switch was on the back door as it stays on when the back doors are open but I haven't found it yet. May be easier to find the wire under the dash and switch it there?

 

Like the idea, that would be like having the ultimate rear view mirror with no interior obstructions! Could leave the side door slightly open (easy to do, just don't slam it.) If anyone finds another way, please share!

 

There should be a way to bypass the reverse trigger circuit to the camera to make it think that the van is in reverse when it is not and turn the camera on. I'm far from an expert, but have read about this being done in other vehicles, using a device like this:
http://pac-audio.com/productDetails.aspx?ProductId=717&CategoryID=31]
Here's a bit of an explanation:
http://www.carkitcompany.com/general/bypasses-explained

 

By the way, Does anyone knows how to adjust the camera view vertical angle? For some reason it moved and I know lost 25% of the vision, as the bottom view gives me now the back of my truck.

 

Dealer problem. You should get a Chrysler business link account that way when you go to the dealer you get to jump the line for everything and I mean from the normal people that are not BL customers. There is no charge for that but remind the service guy when you schedule an appointment.

 

I tried a DIY ajustment on the camera, didn't work, the lens seams to be fixed.

 

is this a DIY posted somewhere or just something you did on the spot without instruction?

 

I looked into this briefly(adjusting camera) There is a pinhole right next to the camera. This may be a set screw of some type?


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

In regards to turning the camera on:

I haven't tried this yet but it looks like the rear door pin is (-) white/blue. Applying a ground with a dash switch to this wire will most likely turn the display on. Two negative effects will be that the rear dome light will stay on and dash will display "rear door open".

The dome light can be dealt with by wiring a relay to kill power to it while the ground is applied to the door switch. But for the dash display I'm not too sure what to do about it yet.

 

The camera is nonajustable and the hole is a drain/vent.

 

I just did this yesterday! It works great. All I did was run a wire from the white/blue wire to a switch on my center cup holder and connected the other end to ground. No lights come on at all or door open messages (perhaps because I just spliced it in without cutting the wire so the rear door switch still works as expected). The only negative to doing this is it locks the rear view camera on until you switch it off but that's ok I'd rather watch my trailer with the rear door closed and switch it on and off when I want to!

 

KOV,

Appreciate the picture, but where exactly on the van is this white connector box. Looks like a great way to do it.

PLAN A: I think another way to do it would be to check the connector pinouts on the back on the radio, One of the wires, when grounded, probably turns the camera display on..... gotta get me some wirin' diagrams!

A SPDT SWITCH connected to "that wire" would allow always on, or normal operation - hopefully with no side effects.

PLAN B:

If the video feed from the backup camera going to the radio was parallel fed to a 7" monitor that was located in place of the windshield rearview mirror, we could have a large, always on, video rear view mirror!

Ed

 

Here is the switch I control it with

 

Can you please explain this project a bit more with better pictures. I am a lay person about this and I really need to do it.

Thanks

 

Nice keeponvaning, everything still working great?

 

I discovered the rear door open light does stay on on the dashboard after all, but that's ok. Also if you shut the motor off and leave the rear view camera switched on you can't lock the doors with the key fob. Not a problem if you know it and remember to shut the camera switch off.

 

I have to say I find that little screen absolutely useless, I am used to using mirrors (towing a trailer) and, wow, can't see nearly anything on that dinky little screen plus the contrast is really bad in sunlight. Sorry I paid extra for that. Just my opinion.

 

I am with you on that.

 

I pretty much have to agree! The 5" uconnect is a joke in a big van like this. It can't cost much more than a few $'s more if anything to make the larger one and it would actually be useful instead of a toy. Another case of false economy. I would have opted for my own aftermarket set up if it didn't come with it already in the van.

 

The switch is located in the rear passenger side door in the latch. Take the panel off the door if you have one and loosen the door lach on the side of the door and you will see how it works. I've forgotten the color of the wire but it's in my write up and has a stripe on it. You can even access it behind the black plastic vent in the right rear inside corner and tap into it. You don't need to cut it just tap it then put a switch in to ground it. When it's grounded the camera comes on along with the inside rear and sliding door lights (they go out after a minute or so) .

You can also just find the same wire under the dash or ground the camera wire perhaps at the radio. I don't know and you may do some damage but I can't say. All I know is grounding the wire that goes to the rear door switch turns the camera on. There are three wires to the door lock switch I recall. Also when the camera is on you cannot lock the doors!

 

This only happened once, so I am not quite sure how to duplicate. I have tried.

I had a map route running in Navigation. The camera stayed on after I took the transmission out of reverse but there was a X in a circle button showing in the upper left corner of the screen. When I touched the X the camera turned off and returned to map view - so there must be some software method of controlling the camera somewhat, at least if you have navigation built in.

 

The camera always stays on for about 10 seconds after switching out of reverse. The x does shut it off immediately on my van

 

hi all, please check this set of backup camera.
i found it is good option to go with after market one
http://www.costco.ca/Backup-Camera-System-with-Built-in-Heater.product.10350403.html
just order my PM 2500, 159WB, hi-roof, diesel, no u connect radio.
i will install this on my PM.

 

I was wondering if anyone ever traced that white/blue wire back under the dash and found a more convenient place to tap it for a dash-mount switch? Or perhaps located the pin-out on the back of the U-connect if that works?

 

I would like to find that wire under the dash as well. If anyone has done any research on the white/blue wire would be great. I'll try to stop by the dealer next week to get some schematics

 

Has anyone tried to do Plan B?

 

I am going to try plan "B" ordered a monitor that will replace the mirror and will let you know.

 

Anyone have any updates on the best way to do this under the dash?