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[cryptoadam]

To all the mechanics here on GAF.

I have an Optima 2011 with back up camera and nav. So about a year ago (or maybe more) it started acting funky cutting in and out. Probably some time after last winter the camera went black. I still got the lines but there was no image. I told my usual mechanic who does my tire changes and they said it was done. Told me to buy a cheap camera on Amazon. So I did. Then when I wanted it installed they said buy a blue tooth camera because I think they didn't realize I already had a camera. then they said oh its to much wiring (even though the Amazon camera is exactly the same as the one in my car).

So all this to say they were clearly wrong that the camera was finished because after almost a year the camera just started working again. All of a sudden I have a full image.

So GAF what the hell was up? I heard water/condensation can cause issues. Maybe the wiring was loose? I want to avoid it going out again but my mechanics are being lazy dicks and clearly don't know much about camera's. Has this happened to anyone before where your camera goes out and then just starts working like a year later?

 

[Robot Carnival]

I'm not a mechanic, nor am I very good about these sorta things, but I do have one of these rear view cameras on my car. originally the thing was working fine but in summer time in the high heats it would sometimes stop working. then one summer it just went black and won't start up again. they ended up switching both the monitor and the camera out and put in new one. I was told that here's some connection/wire lose inside (didn't specify if it's in the monitor or the camera, but I'm guessing the camera).

I imagine the mechanics are not that familiar with these sort of things and don't really want to deal with it, especially consider that there's a possibility that they'll have to retrace all the wire going from the camera at the back of the car all the way to the front connecting the monitor. either way I don't really blame them but yeah, they're probably just don't want to deal with the trouble.

 

[cryptoadam]

I'm not a mechanic, nor am I very good about these sorta things, but I do have one of these rear view cameras on my car. originally the thing was working fine but in summer time in the high heats it would sometimes stop working. then one summer it just went black and won't start up again. they ended up switching both the monitor and the camera out and put in new one. I was told that here's some connection/wire lose inside (didn't specify if it's in the monitor or the camera, but I'm guessing the camera).

I imagine the mechanics are not that familiar with these sort of things and don't really want to deal with it, especially consider that there's a possibility that they'll have to retrace all the wire going from the camera at the back of the car all the way to the front connecting the monitor. either way I don't really blame them but yeah, they're probably just don't want to deal with the trouble.

That seems about right. I always thought it was a loose wire and the fact that it just turned on again after about a year makes sense. BTW I live in Canada so it gets really cold here so maybe that plays into it.

And I could tell they didn't want to deal with it. When I gave them the camera I bought of Amazon they were like its the wrong camera buy a BT one. Then I told them no its the same and then they came back and were like we need to take out all these wires etc to replace it and its going to cost a lot of $$$. Felt like they didn't want to deal with all the wiring.

 

[dcll]

The wiring on these are very basic and simple to do, not sure about the Bluetooth version though. Power, ground and tap into the reverse, I installed one on my son's car

 

[Robot Carnival]

The wiring on these are very basic and simple to do, not sure about the Bluetooth version though. Power, ground and tap into the reverse, I installed one on my son's car

yeah, the wiring is not difficult at all, but it does have to snake around the body of the car, in between the panels and such. so I imagine the mechanics don't really want to bother spend that much time on it in case they REALLY need to do the wires and what not, this being an after market product and all.

 

[GHG]

Go to a different mechanic if you really want it checked out, your current one sounds shit.

But to be honest, as long as its working again, don't sweat it. Only go get it checked if it goes again. It's most likely an electronics/wiring issue and they can be finicky, especially on older cars.

 

[cryptoadam]

Go to a different mechanic if you really want it checked out, your current one sounds shit.

But to be honest, as long as its working again, don't sweat it. Only go get it checked if it goes again. It's most likely an electronics/wiring issue and they can be finicky, especially on older cars.

They are kinda shit, or more likely lazy. They over charge as well. Worst part is my dad does the owners books. I could only imagine how much more they would rip me off if I was some joe off the streets.

 

[SLoWMoTIoN]

There are cameras you can attach to your license plate and are solar powered. You looked into those?

 

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

You have a 10 year old Kia.

Get a second opinion if you want, but most likely its not worth the trouble of finding out what the problem is. If it goes out again, just buy a cheapo wireless camera until you decide to get rid of the car.

P.S. Don't forget that you're driving a 10 year old Kia.

 

[EverydayBeast]

The only time I use the backup camera are for tight parking spaces that's it, looking over your shoulder is better.

 

[cryptoadam]

You have a 10 year old Kia.

Get a second opinion if you want, but most likely its not worth the trouble of finding out what the problem is. If it goes out again, just buy a cheapo wireless camera until you decide to get rid of the car.

P.S. Don't forget that you're driving a 10 year old Kia.

I did buy a cheapo camera. They were too lazy to install it.

Thing was they told me the camera was done and busted but it startrd working again after almost a year of not working.