Strange issue - backup camera and display unit

Hey everyone!

Hope everyone's doing well. Wanted to reach out because I've started to encounter a REALLY strange problem with the 4Runner. Before I begin, I have the Anytime Front Premium Camera Kit, with the Front / Rear switch mounted in the dash.

The issue: As of maybe 3 days ago, my rear camera started working intermittently. This is after going a couple of weeks with a garbled display in reverse. This weekend, I pulled the radio out and checked all of the connectors, and all seems to be fine. Pulled off the switch, the reverse cam started working again in reverse, but it's now back to a black display. Interestingly enough, after verifying all of the connections behind the radio, I pulled off the tailgate cover and did the ziptie mod for the camera connector. After this, still no dice.

I've done the factory reset, I've done the "remove the battery overnight to reset to no avail.

I guess my questions are as follows:

1. What's the likelihood that it's the head unit that's bad?
2. What's the likelihood that the wiring for the Anytime Front Cam (switch) may be faulty?

Things have been working super well until recently, and I've had the installation for a while. Funny thing is, front camera works flawlessly. Any thoughts? Thanks for taking the time to read, and to share any information, as I'm getting a bit flustered with it...

Cheers,

Sean

 

Since the front camera works fine, all evidence points to two things:

1) The wiring for the rear camera is bad.
2) The rear camera itself is bad. Bad hardware.

Call the site you bought it from and tell them it's faulty and you need replacement hardware.

 

Thanks so much, Borracho Loco! I think you may be on to something. To be honest, the camera itself, (rear) was about the only thing I hadn't checked. It's still the factory camera, so now may be time to either take it in to get changed, or upgrade it.

I appreciate you man! Thanks again and will keep ya posted.

Cheers,

Sean

 

Same boat as OP. My 4runner OEM rear camera sucks and works intermittently. I have check all connections and nothing. Now I am going to replace the camera and shorter harness. The zip tie thing didn't work for me

 

I have the same issue with an intermittent rear camera, on my 2015 and my son's 2015 as well. It seems to stopped working after I've open and closed the rear hatch, and usually comes back on within a day or two. It is frustrating but I've managed to drive for almost 40 years without a back up camera so I just live with it and I'm not going to spend any money on trying to fix it.

 

I opened mine up last night. I am the 2nd owner & someone has been in there before. My camera didn't have any screws sadly. I then buttoned everything back up. Going to swap everything over once I get those screws. Toyota's pretty fast here should be by the end of the week

Here are the oem parts so far:
2014-2015 Parking Assist Reverse Camera 86790-35060
Toyota Backdoor Wire #4 82189-35020
Camera Screws 90159-60303

 

Thanks for this, Kolter45! Please keep us posted.


Cheers,

Sean

 

Interestingly, I have the same setup and the rear camera display stopped working this morning. Never saw any garbled display as you mentioned.. Just black screen once.. then worked the next moment I tried.. Now nothing-black screen. Front works fine. I'm in a '24 ORP and put it in 4 or 5 months ago. I was suspecting a switch issue but maybe not?

 

If & when you shift into reverse - if it goes to a black screen, then you know the sensor in the shifter/tranny is okay.

I actually purchased more parts this morning. I noticed that my black rear garnish is bent from someone taking it off. I didn't want to replace everything only to let water get in there. So I bought the black rear garnish and the seal. The seal kept giving me an error as it didnt match my 2015 4runner. Not really sure if it's just for the Limited, but its only $4 bucks.

New Parts Ordered:
Black Rear Garnish: Remember my is a 2015 with the key hole & not the triangle buttons on the updated rear garnish. Buy the one you need! You will have to switch everything over!
76811-35220

Rear Garnish Seal: This is the only part that didnt match my 2015. No idea why but figured I'd give it a try.
76819-35030

 

@brownersd

@Borracho Loco is spot on here. The head units are pretty robust. My guess is it is the mare itself. The wiring is just shielded 4 conductor cable from the head unit to the tailgate. I would find a used camera off ebay for cheap and swap it out just to see if it solves the issue.

If all these rear cameras are failing with the dual camera switch setup, that tells me they are possibly being driven at higher voltage than designed by the switching harness.

 

I gave up on this issue. I tried everything....removing and replacing one piece out of time and my conclusion is that there is some compatability issue with the software of the main head unit and when the switch kicks in to show the rear or the front camera. I got frustrated and removed the whole thing and will try something different. I called the different vendors (traild grid pro, and the anytime camera - they were useless). Nothing there.

 

I just replaced my front camera as it went out after 8 months.

when it was failing, I noticed the back camera was flickering and nearly unreadable, then the front camera completely went out and the back was fine.

They sent me a replacement front camera and I swapped it in. The wiring harness seems in good shape and all my connections behind the head unit are solid.

I too wonder if there is a voltage or other signal change that is causing these issues. When my front camera was dead, the rest of the system worked as expected and now that is it replaced all is good (for the past 3 days).

concerned this will resurface again. That said, I love the anytime camera system and it has been great outside of this one failure. Hopefully I had a faulty camera.

 

Thanks @Old Red!

Yes, I ended up solving the issue by switching to the FRAC Harness and removing the Anytime standard harness. So far, so good, and will keep you posted.


Cheers,

Sean

 

I need a clip & a screw for the garnish. I do believe you can switch over the letters. I’ll have to look into all that for the p/n. So I haven’t replaced my rear garnish. I just put the old one back on.

I did replace the camera & harness. So far so good. My camera is working & is not flickering. I do agree with above that it’s just cameras going bad. My 4Runner is a 2015, so it lasted quite awhile. Since it was in & out & intermittent, I believe that shows the camera failing.

The old one even had a yellow lens & I bet moisture got in there & it started to decay. I replaced the camera & harness at the same time.




Good Luck fellas!

 

When you had your garnish off, did you consider the modification discussed in the thread about that garnish rubbing the paint?

 

I've briefly read that thread https://www.4runners.com/threads/plastic-trim-rubbing-off-paint.34142/

I do have some paint rubbed off, but it looks like my rear garnish doesnt have the seal and I picked up one of those up. Hopefully it works & provides less rub. I do have to switch everything over still & install the new garnish with the seal

Here's the part page I've been using to look up parts
https://parts.frontiertoyota.com/v-...ro--4-0l-v6-gas/body--exterior-trim-lift-gate

 

Just an update all. Going strong on 2 weeks with the FRAC harness, and have had no issues. The problem was with the Anytime harness, which went into the trash.

Cheers,

Sean

 

What is the zip tie mod? No issues yet but ill try to never move backwards to extend the lifespan of my rear backup cam

 

I tried this and the plug was loose but wasnt a fix for me. Certainly the first thing one should try if theres camera issues

 

FWIW,
I installed the FRAC harness in my 21 TRD Off-road over 2 years ago and have had zero issues with it. When I purchased the FRAC harness, I also looked at the “Anytime” version sold elsewhere and was a bit concerned with the wiring required vs the plug and play install for the FRAC harness.

Im glad I went with the FRAC harness…

Cheers,
Bob

 

Thanks Bob. Is this the FRAC harness you are referring too?

https://www.fracharness.com/

 

Yes….

Bob

 

Anyone have any DIY or video link to replace the OEM rear/back up camera? Is it hard to do? I’ve had the anytime front camera installed for a few years and noticed my OEM rear is flickering sometimes (maybe due to very cold weather?). I’d like to take it apart and examine it but not sure how hard it is.