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Wiring harness for factory backup camera

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by bigmamou, Nov 24, 2009.

  1. bigmamou

    bigmamou Junior Member

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    I've done a broad search on the forum for an answer to this question (with no luck) - I have an '05 that came without the factory camera. On the rear hatch where the camera would go there is a metal punchout that is to be removed for the camera. I have a factory camera and pigtail to install but I would like to know if the presence of the punchout indicates that there is a wiring harness in place for the camera? In other words, is all the wiring there already so I can just install the camera and plug it into existing wiring...........or, do I have to buy and install a factory wiring harness to get to the front dash to plug it into the viewing screen?
     
    #1 bigmamou, Nov 24, 2009
  2. DarrenG

    DarrenG Member

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    Mine is a UK spec 06 Prius which didn't have the backup camera. I pulled off the interior panel and the wiring harness is present which suggests yours might be too.

    It's a simple job to remove the rear hatch panel to check. I'm still searching for a second-hand camera so that I can plug it in and see if the reverse camera is enabled.

    If you do go ahead, would love to know how you get on.
     
    #2 DarrenG, Nov 24, 2009
  3. bigmamou

    bigmamou Junior Member

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    Hi Darren,

    thanks for your reply, that's very encouraging. I bought a camera on eBay and was able to plug it into the existing camera harness on my friends Prius - voilá.....it worked! I got a surprisingly good deal on the camera and I'm anxiously awaiting the delivery of my Prius from clear across the country. I'm buying it from a friend of mine in Florida and I know the car well.........it's maintenance history and so on......and I've driven the car on many occasions when he has been on vacation here. He told me 3 years ago that it would go to me when he bought a new Prius which he did last month. The new one is here with me (in the state of Washington) so he will be driving the '05 here to get it soon. At that point I will know quickly how the camera install will go. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the harness is in place already!? And I will certainly let everyone know how it turns out. Have you checked wrecking yards where you are for a camera? I would think that you could use email (through google) inquiries to wrecking yards here in the US to find one as well? If you find one and they won't ship it to the UK let me know........maybe it can be shipped to me and I'll ship it to the UK for you!
     
    #3 bigmamou, Nov 24, 2009
  4. DarrenG

    DarrenG Member

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    I've contacted every breaker I can find here in the UK that is breaking a Prius with no luck so far. Have even used the 'find a part' service that passes your request to a load more.

    I haven't tried the US as I'm sure I read the cameras are NTSC for US spec Prius whereas we are PAL standard.

    I must admit it does seem odd to have differing standards for something like this which is not designed to hook up to any other video kit but perhaps the camera itself is a common part and on some high end Lexus etc having the right standards for video hardware may be important?

    Shame as there is one on the US eBay but I can't risk $100 plus international postage only to find it won't work.

    I await news of your progress with avid interest!
     
    #4 DarrenG, Nov 24, 2009
  5. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    I doubt the cameras would be different. They'd have to redesign the lcd circuitry and such to accept the different inputs.
     
    #5 Bob64, Nov 24, 2009
  6. DarrenG

    DarrenG Member

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    It does seem an odd thing to do. Perhaps I should risk the US eBay sale but I see there are three other bidders.

    His BiN price is $129, see here so it's quite a lot of cash to risk on a whim.

    I think I'd be better trying to locate one here in the UK or at least Europe.
     
    #6 DarrenG, Nov 24, 2009
  7. Ophbalance

    Ophbalance Member

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    I think you're pretty much SOL on fitting that camera into an '05 without first buying a video/audio input kit to go with it... or so I've gathered from the last few months of reading. From what I can recall, the 04-05 have an analog display (though... the NAV units may be digital? However, they are still not the same resolution as the 06+). Does the incoming '05 have a NAV?

    Heck, if it works, I'll be ecstatic, since I should be able to just grab a camera to fit into my 05.
     
    #7 Ophbalance, Nov 24, 2009
  8. iainsri

    iainsri New Member

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    Has anything happened with this or what?
     
    #8 iainsri, Jun 19, 2015
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