Reverse wire to activate camera

Hello everyone. I have a 1999 Limited 4WD.

I installed a radio and one of the features is a rear backup camera. I have everything wired except for the rear camera 'auto turn-on' feature. I can turn the camera on from the radio but I want it to come on when I put my 4Runner in reverse. Do any of you know the color and location of a reverse wire I can tap into?

Also, I was wondering if I could tie into the REVERSE LIGHT. I'm thinking the reverse line just needs voltage to turn on but I'm not sure.

Thanks!

 

On the 2002 (don't have a 1999...but should be the same) schematic...it shows a White with Blue Stripe wire going to the tails. It starts after the switch and continues through all junctions before it hits the tail lights.

The circuit has a 10A fuse\rating.

Good news is, it looks like the reverse lights are the only thing on that circuit.

Normal backup bulbs look to be 18W each. So you're looking at 3A draw currently.

That gives you ~5A to play with. Those cameras *shouldn't* draw more than 3A...unless you got something really bad. So you should be good. Just double check the camera draw. (Edit, looks like the camera just needs a signal source...so it shouldn't really be pulling much of anything if it uses its main power through the head unit)

Please *ALWAYS* do your power calculations so you don't look like a fool on the side of the road with a burnt shell of a truck!

 

Thanks! I'll run some tests to make sure the draw on the camera is too much. As far as I know, the camera shouldn't draw much (if anything) from being connected. The the line disconnected, the camera still works but I have to tape the camera icon on the screen to activate it.

I connected the wire to the emergency brake line and it worked but the problem with that is the switch the emergency brake is under current power and when pulled, it looses power. I need just the opposite. Anyway, I'll test and see.