I recently just started having issues with my dashboard camera , an Owl Cam 4.0 that I purchased about a year ago.

https://shop.owlcam.com/collections/cameras/products/owlcam-classic-4-1-cam

I have a 2019 Lexus ES 350 F Sport that I purchased in November 2019.

I used the camera with the same car for about a year with no issues. About a week ago my Lexus started having problems with the control panel settings. I was un-able to control or change the heat and AC buttons with the touchpad pointer. I also was not able to change other random dashboard settings. Another issue is when backing up , the backup camera would work but show a black explanation point inside of a white diamond which never happened before. It would not let me change the line settings in the backup camera either like I used to be able to do. I brought the car into a certified Lexus dealership on 10-18-2021 and they came to the conclusion that the Owl camera being plugged into the OBD port was the issue. They unplugged the Owl Camera and reset the system. The car then began to work normally. Then Lexus advised me to plug the camera back into the OBD port. For about a day the car was working with no issues. However , on 10-19-2021 the following day the car began to have the same problems that I described above. I brought the car back into the same dealership and they removed the cars black box and said with certainty it’s the cameras fault the car settings are not working. They also stated they have had numerous issues with dashboard cameras mostly issued from insurance companies like AllState and Progressive. They unplugged the camera again on 10-22-2021 and reset the system again. As of right now the car is working as normal again. I like the camera a lot. I heavily rely on that camera for the safety and security of myself and the car. I also need it for potential insurance purposes. I like the camera so much that I have recommended it to multiple friends , neighbors , and co-workers. Most of which bought the camera themselves. I am very disappointed and worried I may not be able to use it anymore and have some questions. I would very much like to continue to use the camera. I am unclear why I was able to use the camera with no issues for a year only to start having problems with it now ? I was also wondering if you have heard of this issue before ? Being that I like the camera so much is there any other way I can use it ? I am really hoping I can continue to use the camera. Thank you for your time.

 

Cant you have someone connect it to somewhere other than the OBD port?

 

It appears that camera needs to be plug into OBDII port for the advanced features to work. I am guessing the manufacturer didn't tested with the vehicle you have.

 

I am going to find out. I’m hoping so !

 

I e-mailed Lexus , asked the Lexus dealership and asked Owl Cam why the camera worked perfectly for a year then just stopped ? Nobody knows. I am unclear why it wasn’t a problem right when I first connected it ? It literally worked fine for a year. Strange.

 

I have another brand of Dash Cam (Black Vue DR750 installed in my 2019) which when I bought it was warned not to use the OBD port on Toyota / Lexus products for installation, as they (Black Vue) have experienced lots of issues with the Toyota / Lexus ports.

Consequently, mine was installed directly into the fuse box, and has worked perfectly for 3 years.

It maybe as simple as changing your connection method.

I have no idea why it would cause no issues for a year, and then all of a sudden cause issues.

 

Thanks for that information. If you don’t mind me asking , who warned you to not plug it into the OBD port ? Was it Lexus , the dash cam company , or both ? This was a real bummer for me. Speaking for myself that camera of mine is worth it’s weight in gold. During the one year it worked it saved me from a parking ticket ( I was inside of a deli and saw the meter maid coming from my phone camera ) and was able to move the car. Saved me from illegally being towed. I was running errands got an alert to my phone from the camera and saw a tow truck approach my car. Ran towards where the car was parked and the operator of the two truck stated I’m not allowed to be parked in that particular parking lot at the time I was parked there. I replied with, where is that posted? Because by law it has to be posted. And of course it wasn’t posted which meant it was not true. A cop pulled me over and attempted to cite me for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. Which I knew didn’t happen. I very calmly disputed his claim and got nowhere. He told me to save it for the courtroom. His words. I then said well before you write the ticket , perhaps you would like to look at the camera footage which is taping everything. Then I pointed to the camera and said it will prove what I’m saying. I went ahead gave him my license and registration, he went to his car with it and then about 15 minutes later he returned and said you can go. I’m glad your camera is working well for you. Does it stay on when the car is off and parked ? Thanks again for the feedback.

 

The Black Vue installers/manufacturers were the ones who warned my about the OBD port on Toyota's.

Mine is hard wired, and has a switch that I can turn on or off to keep the camera "in waiting" while the car is parked. This waiting state (while parked) means the camera is always "on" but not storing the video, unless it detects contact, like someone opening a door and hitting the parked car or backing into the parked car. It can also sense and record motion, like someone walking behind or in front of the car. All of these settings can be adjusted for sensitivity to come on and live record or ignore the activity. It always has the last 30 seconds stored, so if a contact triggers recording, you get the 30 seconds before the contact too.

The same switch monitors the battery charge state and will shut off the camera totally if it detects that the car battery voltage is dropping to a point where the car won't start. They also sell external batteries to power only the dash cam if for example you always park in a public garage or on the street and need 24/7 monitoring.

I bought everything through:

https://www.thedashcamstore.com/dash...Front+%2B+Rear

 

I appreciate all the helpful information. Now that I’ve had a dash cam I feel lost without one. I feel like me and my car are sitting ducks out here. Sad but true.

 

I use an owl dash cam as well, the 5.0. I just got my 2022 ESUL and I really hope it doesn't go cray like yours did!!

 

Have you used the camera yet with the vehicle?

 

I have, its been plugged in since day 2 of ownership, had it about two weeks or so.

 

In my BMW X3 that I just traded in, it was in there for 3 years and never had a problem--but I did have to use the ODB port to deprogram an alarm extension that caused the alarm to go off every time something is plugged into the ODB port.