Why does the reversing camera work intermittently?
3 Answers
The reason why the reversing camera works intermittently is: poor contact caused by a loose connection between the reversing radar circuit and the vehicle's wiring harness. The solutions for no signal from the car reversing camera are: 1. Restart the vehicle and turn off the music player; 2. Secure the data cable of the reversing camera; 3. Replace the reversing camera. The function of the car reversing camera is to allow the driver to see the situation behind the vehicle on the display when reversing, ensuring the safety of reversing. The reversing camera consists of a wide-angle camera, a control unit for signal transmission, an MMI display, an information display control unit, a TV tuner, and a CAN data harmonization bus.
My reversing camera also frequently has this kind of issue, working intermittently which is really annoying. The most likely cause is a dirty or waterlogged camera lens, especially after rain—when the lens gets blurry, the reversing screen turns black or flickers. I used to solve it by simply wiping the lens with a cloth. The connecting wires are another common culprit; frequent opening and closing of the trunk can loosen the wire harness connectors—just wiggle them to see if there’s any response. Also, if the camera isn’t securely mounted, looseness can cause the image to shake or disappear. Voltage instability, like when the battery is running low, can make the entire reversing system act up. The simple solution is to regularly clean the lens and check the wire connections—don’t be lazy. If the problem persists, it’s best to take it to a shop to check the circuits or modules. Safety first, after all, not being able to see behind you while parking is really dangerous.
From a technical perspective, I've seen this issue many times. Camera failures are common, such as aging components causing intermittent video signals. Wiring problems are more troublesome, like loose connectors or short circuits from wear and tear - when you reverse, body vibrations can disconnect them. Occasionally, system software has bugs, like the display freezing until rebooted. I recommend first checking the camera connector at the rear bumper and using a multimeter to test voltage stability. If the screen shows complete blackout, it might be ground wire corrosion. Don't overlook battery health either - insufficient voltage can indirectly affect performance. Try to avoid parking in high-temperature or humid environments to reduce failures. As last resorts, keep a backup parking sensor or have someone assist visually.
