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Question

I purchased a Nextar GPS + Wireless Back Up Camera recently and can't seem to get the back up camera working properly when connected to my reverse light on my 2008 X5. It works fine when I connect the camera to the 12v lighter plug but it will always stay on. Can you help me?

Submitted: 248 days and 7 hours ago.

Category: BMW

Value: $31

Status: CLOSED

2008 BMW X5

Already Tried:
I connect camera to 12v lighter plug and camera works fine...but when I connect it across my reverse light bulb my camera comes on for 10 seconds and then goes off. It seem like the voltage across the bulb is not a constant 12v.

Posted by Kenny 248 days and 7 hours ago.

Answer

The power from the reverse light is a pulse-width modulated signal, In other words it isn't a steady 12v like the lighter plug. As a work around if you have a trailer hitch installed that signal is steady 12v.

248 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

But will this give me 12v only when I'm in reverse?

Posted by Kenny 248 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

If you tap into the correct pin on the trailer wiring then yes it should, I dont think it is pulse-width modulated.

248 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

Is there any other way, or is that my only option?

Posted by Kenny 248 days and 6 hours ago.

Info Request

You might be able to get it from your PDC module. Do you have park distance control?

248 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

Yes I do.

Posted by Kenny 248 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

I looked up the wiring diagram the PDC module gets the reverse signal from the body bus. So that is not going to work. I think this is how all the modules are going to receive the signal.

247 days and 9 hours ago.

Reply

So what should I do, I don't really want to install a hitch.

Accepted Answer

You can use the lighter socket and install a switch for it that you can operate.

Accepts:
Expert:	Kenny
Pos. Feedback:	99.4 %
Answered:	3/20/2009

BMW Technician

BMW Master Certifed level 1 Technican

245 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Okay. Thank you Kenny you've been a great help. One last question, when I click on "Accept" ....... What amount do I have to enter in cnd $? Is that entirely up to me to decide?, and do I have a max of 36$?

245 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

Never mind that last question.... got my answer.
Thanx again, great help.

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Question

I purchased a Nextar GPS + Wireless Back Up Camera recently and can't seem to get the back up camera working properly when connected to my reverse light on my 2008 X5. It works fine when I connect the camera to the 12v lighter plug but it will always stay on. Can you help me?

Optional Information

2008 BMW X5

Already Tried:
I connect camera to 12v lighter plug and camera works fine...but when I connect it across my reverse light bulb my camera comes on for 10 seconds and then goes off. It seem like the voltage across the bulb is not a constant 12v.

Answer

The power from the reverse light is a pulse-width modulated signal, In other words it isn't a steady 12v like the lighter plug. As a work around if you have a trailer hitch installed that signal is steady 12v.

Reply

But will this give me 12v only when I'm in reverse?

But will this give me 12v only when I'm in reverse?

Answer

If you tap into the correct pin on the trailer wiring then yes it should, I dont think it is pulse-width modulated.

Reply

Is there any other way, or is that my only option?

Info Request

You might be able to get it from your PDC module. Do you have park distance control?

Reply

Yes I do.

Answer

I looked up the wiring diagram the PDC module gets the reverse signal from the body bus. So that is not going to work. I think this is how all the modules are going to receive the signal.

Reply

So what should I do, I don't really want to install a hitch.

Accepted Answer

You can use the lighter socket and install a switch for it that you can operate.

Reply

Okay. Thank you Kenny you've been a great help. One last question, when I click on "Accept" ....... What amount do I have to enter in cnd $? Is that entirely up to me to decide?, and do I have a max of 36$?

Reply

Never mind that last question.... got my answer.
Thanx again, great help.

BMW

Have your own BMW question?

Related Bmw Topics:

Question

I purchased a Nextar GPS + Wireless Back Up Camera recently and can't seem to get the back up camera working properly when connected to my reverse light on my 2008 X5. It works fine when I connect the camera to the 12v lighter plug but it will always stay on. Can you help me?

Optional Information

2008 BMW X5 Already Tried: I connect camera to 12v lighter plug and camera works fine...but when I connect it across my reverse light bulb my camera comes on for 10 seconds and then goes off. It seem like the voltage across the bulb is not a constant 12v.

Answer

The power from the reverse light is a pulse-width modulated signal, In other words it isn't a steady 12v like the lighter plug. As a work around if you have a trailer hitch installed that signal is steady 12v.

Reply

But will this give me 12v only when I'm in reverse?

But will this give me 12v only when I'm in reverse?

Answer

If you tap into the correct pin on the trailer wiring then yes it should, I dont think it is pulse-width modulated.

Reply

Is there any other way, or is that my only option?

Info Request

You might be able to get it from your PDC module. Do you have park distance control?

Reply

Yes I do.

Answer

I looked up the wiring diagram the PDC module gets the reverse signal from the body bus. So that is not going to work. I think this is how all the modules are going to receive the signal.

Reply

So what should I do, I don't really want to install a hitch.

Accepted Answer

You can use the lighter socket and install a switch for it that you can operate.

Reply

Okay. Thank you Kenny you've been a great help. One last question, when I click on "Accept" ....... What amount do I have to enter in cnd $? Is that entirely up to me to decide?, and do I have a max of 36$?

Reply

Never mind that last question.... got my answer.Thanx again, great help.

Related BMW Questions

2008 BMW X5

Already Tried:
I connect camera to 12v lighter plug and camera works fine...but when I connect it across my reverse light bulb my camera comes on for 10 seconds and then goes off. It seem like the voltage across the bulb is not a constant 12v.

Never mind that last question.... got my answer.
Thanx again, great help.