Notices
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009) Discussion topics related to the 2004 -2009 RX330, RX350 and RX400H models

Backup camera

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 05:21 AM
  #1  
vegerad's Avatar
vegerad
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default Backup camera

I installed a backup camera on my wife's 2009 RX350. To avoid tearing apart the interior I used a wireless system to get the signal to the screen. Problem is I need power somewhere in the front of the car that is coming from the backup lights (so that the monitor turns on when the car is in reverse). When the screen is powered and has no signal it constantly blinks. Trying to guess which wire under the dash is going to the back up lights isn't an option, and running a line from the back kind of defeats the wireless option.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 06:41 AM
  #2  
vegerad's Avatar
vegerad
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: FL
Default

Rereading the post I realize I didn't make my question clear; anyone know where the wire powering the backup lights is in the front dash area?
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 08:20 AM
  #3  
Lexuswiz's Avatar
Lexuswiz
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 973
Likes: 183
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Do you have a multimeter? Toyota/lexus usually runs wire for the rear lights from the BECU to the trunk which is behind the dash. But the easiest place to tap is the drivers side kick panel. I forgot which plug it is but I did find it when I was doing my remote start install trying to find the brake light wire. Engage the ebrake, put the key to on position (do not start), put shifter into reverse then start unplugging the plugs one by one. Once you narrow down which plug has the reverse lights, start metering the pins.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 08:58 AM
  #4  
NVAKeith's Avatar
NVAKeith
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 26
From: VA
Default

Here is reverse light wire in the loom in the cargo area. Look for a similar wire loom in the driver's footwell kick panel. Although my five years ago memory is telling me that it changes color in one of the junction blocks under the dash....so don't be surprised if it's a different color up front.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post8421434
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2016 | 01:28 PM
  #5  
Oldsports's Avatar
Oldsports
Driver
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 62
Likes: 16
From: Ohio
Default

I don't know if the RX350's driver's side kick panel is the same as the RX330, but I recently did exactly what you did to my 2005 RX330 (installed a wireless back-up camera). I found this post that explains where the Reverse feed is in the RX330, complete with pictures:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ick-panel.html

The title says "Brake Light Wire" but near the end of the post it explains where to find the Reverse feed.

Hope this helps.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2016 | 09:49 PM
  #6  
BolderLexu's Avatar
BolderLexu
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CO
Default

Hello all,
I had some plans to retrofit an OEM backup camera onto my 2008 RX350 and hook it up to my Garmin nuvi through a wireless transmitter. Is it going to be too much hassle? The harness converter which connects the camera to the transmitter seems like to be the hardest part to find.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2016 | 11:00 AM
  #7  
Lexuswiz's Avatar
Lexuswiz
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 973
Likes: 183
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by BolderLexu
Hello all,
I had some plans to retrofit an OEM backup camera onto my 2008 RX350 and hook it up to my Garmin nuvi through a wireless transmitter. Is it going to be too much hassle? The harness converter which connects the camera to the transmitter seems like to be the hardest part to find.
This is too much hassle and exactly because what you mentioned, the OEM camera uses a non-standard plug. You're better off with an aftermarket camera, if you want it to look stock, you may need to do some fabricating otherwise those license plate cameras are easy to install.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2016 | 08:17 PM
  #8  
BolderLexu's Avatar
BolderLexu
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CO
Default

Originally Posted by Lexuswiz
This is too much hassle and exactly because what you mentioned, the OEM camera uses a non-standard plug. You're better off with an aftermarket camera, if you want it to look stock, you may need to do some fabricating otherwise those license plate cameras are easy to install.
I found this converter piece:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301402764928?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Still a long way to go tough!
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2016 | 08:38 AM
  #9  
Lexuswiz's Avatar
Lexuswiz
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 973
Likes: 183
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Originally Posted by BolderLexu
I found this converter piece:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301402764928...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Still a long way to go tough!
Interesting find. My only concern with that plug is the power. Most cameras I've worked with use two wires for the power not just one green (if that even is the power). Then again the ones I work with are aftermarket not OEM, and I haven't really taken apart the OEM one on my own to car to tinker with it.
Reply
Old May 1, 2019 | 06:12 PM
  #10  
cdmn's Avatar
cdmn
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: CA
Default

I know this is an old thread but does anyone know if I can install a factory RX330 camera system in to one that doesn't have it?
Reply
Old May 3, 2019 | 03:47 PM
  #11  
tomr51's Avatar
tomr51
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 484
Likes: 103
From: NSW
Default

wiring is normally on all cars. have a look for a plug behind where the camera is installed.
Reply
Old May 29, 2019 | 09:29 AM
  #12  
cdmn's Avatar
cdmn
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 37
Likes: 1
From: CA
Default

But does the car have the capability to run the wires even though it didn't come with the camera from the factory?
Reply
Old Nov 9, 2019 | 11:14 PM
  #13  
mspearl95's Avatar
mspearl95
Racer
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 162
From: or
Default

does the oem backup camera in the rx350 have better picture quality than the one in the rx330? and are they interchangeable? backup image is very poor at night- 05 rx330.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2019 | 04:43 AM
  #14  
SpruceRain's Avatar
SpruceRain
Driver
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 130
Likes: 28
From: Finland
Default

Originally Posted by mspearl95
does the oem backup camera in the rx350 have better picture quality than the one in the rx330? and are they interchangeable? backup image is very poor at night- 05 rx330.
No idea on interchangeability, but I read a russian blog post where some guy said he replaced the OEM camera on a 2006 RX (part number matches the camera on my father's RX) with an aftermarket camera, and it worked well. There's also this useful thread. All of these suggest that the camera is just a basic camera (albeit 6V rather than 12V).

EDIT: Fitted generic aftermarket camera, got power from reversing light, works well.

Last edited by SpruceRain; Jan 13, 2020 at 07:40 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2019 | 09:33 AM
  #15  
iMSQ's Avatar
iMSQ
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 999
Likes: 228
From: NM
Default

Originally Posted by mspearl95
does the oem backup camera in the rx350 have better picture quality than the one in the rx330? and are they interchangeable? backup image is very poor at night- 05 rx330.
try to replace the bulb at back-up lamp with high-performance LED. I did it, and I'm satisfied with the image at night.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:48 PM.