Backup camera again

[Tiha]

So the factory camera on my 2014 is acting up again. this will be the 3rd one.

I suppose the tailgate gets slammed 100 times a year considering that it is probably holding up well.

Thinking about trying this one on ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314172483472

As opposed to another Ford one for $300.

Anyone used a cheap one?

 

[sootie]

I have found the issue usually to be cracked wires in the harness, not the camera itself. Sub 100.00 fix...

 

[Tiha]

For future reference, This is what my camera was doing this time. I was not getting the Contact dealer warning like I was last time.

 

[Tiha]

I ordered a backup camera and it did not change at all.

So I dug into it finally.

Commonly talked about is the ground wire in the harness running through the tailagate.

I opened up the harness and it was intact but very corroded. I cut the wire at each end and spliced in a new ground wire.

Didn't fix my problem.

Of the two black wires in the plug only one is used, so you have to cut it apart to see which one it is.

Seems kind of silly to have an uninsulated wire, but I wonder how important it even is.

 

[Tiha]

That didn't fix my problem either.

One place talked about is a junction box under the dash near the emergency brake. I wiggled everything under there with the Cam on and no change.

So next I dug into the plug back by the trailer hitch.

When I pulled it apart I didn't see any corrosion in there. But I was shocked at how much water came out.

Dried out as much as I could, greased it and put it back together. I was maybe slightly better but not fixed.

So I thought if they used a bare ground wire in the tailgate, then maybe that is the same problem here.

I opened the harness and yes, bare ground wire. I used a jumper wire to ground it. No change. It was not dirty or corroded like the same wire running through the tailgate.

Eventually I took the plug back apart. Cleaned the pins with some emery cloth. Greased it again. back together and that fixed it.

So my problem was this plug back by the trailer connector.

 

[Tiha]

Now just for a comparison while I had it all apart.

Between the factory camera and the cheap ebay replacement.

this cheap one was Soillar brand. It is $47 off ebay. I would totally use it.

You can tell there is a difference, but I am not a hard core camera user like my wife is.

The cheap one is maybe not as bright, but reviews said night vision was better. It is also a little more grainy if you stare at it long enough.

Part number is EC3Z-19G490-A on my 2014 F250

First picture is factory camera, second picture is the cheapo.

 

[Powerstroke Cowboy]

Nice to know. There's a reason why I always grease connector that I install or work on. Corrosion can be a nightmare in plugs. But then again, I don't enjoy wiring problems on vehicles.