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Camera works, but image feed is "too dark."

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cyberpriusII, Jan 15, 2020.

  1. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Around a month ago, I started noticing that the reverse/backup camera image is not as bright as it should be -- it's still there, no lines, or anything, just darker than it should be...

    Yes, I have cleaned it. I have googled it. I have not found much (course I have only been looking for an hour).

    Otherwise, the other images on the MFD are fine.

    I actually do not have the Prius today, or I would go out and try a couple of things, which I doubt will help, but gives me a reason to go out in the 28-degree weather, with that nice, crisp 30 mph south wind.

    I assume adjusting the brightness wheel to the left of the steering wheel will not make a difference. And, I assume adjusting the screen settings will also not work, but I will give them a try.

    All I have really been able to find in searching are no camera images or images with scrolling lines, which as I mentioned, I do not experience.

    If it continues, guess I could try to harvest a camera from a wrecking yard.

    If anyone has any experience or solutions.....
    kris
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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  3. George W

    George W Active Member

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    No fender benders that might knocked something loose by your license plate?
     
  4. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Late yesterday evening, the Prius returned home and I went out in the ice pellet storm and adjusted the various controls on the MFD screen (contrast, tint, color and whatever I could find and while there was a VERY minor improvement, it really did nothing much. I forgot to mess with the wheel to the left of the steering wheel, but figure that will not do anything anyway. Also switched into and out of day mode, which did nothing.

    The camera swap seems as if it will be the next step. A new one from Toyota is about $525 to $900 (just the part).

    Aftermarket -- non Toyota are all over the place.

    As Mr. Wong noted, Ebay does have some reasonable prices on used -- from around $20 and up. Not in the mood to mess with it any more in this weather, so, maybe in a month, I will try to swap it out with a used camera -- and -- of course, I will report back.

    It seems as if it will be a pretty easy swap -- easier than the hatch latch replacement, anyway.
    kris
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Kris, I suggest that you wait until springtime to replace the camera because the plastic trim on the hatch interior will be more fragile in cold weather.
     
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  6. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Check/Replace the reverse (white) backup bulbs. One or both may have burned out or gotten dim....
     
    #6 jzchen, Jan 17, 2020
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2020
  7. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Great minds MIGHT think alike.

    I actually awoke during the night and thought I might need new reverse bulbs. Then, jzchen makes the same suggestion.

    So, I finally replace the bulbs with the standard 7440 bulb.
    It helped a bit, but not a lot. Which led me into the great pit of trying to find the appropriate LED replacement.
    I looked, off and on for more than a week. It was not an easy task. The ones i thought should fit were all labeled as NOT fitting by the maker.

    I finally took the plunge and ordered two LED for $11.50 -- including priority mail shipping. They fit, but just barely. And, the brighter light was just what was needed.

    Do not know if the camera -- with age -- gets less sensitive to light or not....but the LED worked. When I say they werwe marginal in fitting, what I mean wAS THAT i COULD HAVE USED ANOTHER 1/2-INCH OF SLACK IN THE WIRING SO i COULD TILT THE BULB INTO THE OPENING,once it was in the opening, all was fine....so it would have helped to be able to move the bulb back another 1/4 to 1/2-inch to angle into the compartment, but, with care, it worked.

    kris
     
  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I'm not here to bicker. Be safe, evaluate those LEDs Kris...

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  10. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Hey, there.

    Never thought you were up to "bicker." Indeed, you are on my "good PriusChat users" list. :eek:

    Yes, Bisco, I keep a list. :p:p:p

    Anyway, they help. Quite a bit. I was also much impressed with JDM astar, whom I ordered the lights from....They said they would not fit, but from internet reviews, I decided to give it a try and I can see why they said no, but in real life.....

    Anyway, could it be brighter? Yes, I think so. Is it bright enough? Yes, I think so.

    What is it? Is the fact that the camera is older is that it is "dropping pixels or something?"

    Got me.

    Just know that it is much better with the LED. If anyone cares, this is what I purchased on EBay, direct from the maker -- again -- they say it is not appropriate for the 2008 Prius.

    See post below for what I purchased.




     
    #10 cyberpriusII, Feb 12, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2020
  11. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Your dropping pixels finally got a light bulb to go off in my brain. I really don’t know how the CCD sensors inside the cameras wear with age, but it is possible that the display screen is getting dim, with age....

    I’m going to try the link again. For some reason it didn’t work and was asking me to log into eBay....

    Just note, at some greatly enhanced level of brightness, those rear reverse lights could blind someone, or be mistaken for headlights, whatever the repercussions that that may entail. (I learned that from that forum. Man those moderators there know their automotive lighting)!!!
     
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  12. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    It might have been that I was using a link straight from hubby's ebay account. I have since changed it.
     
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  13. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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  14. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    There are 44 pages of vehicles, and they missed the Prius! They sure look pretty/nice. (They’d probably be frowned upon on the Candlepowerforums though)....

    Even the ZEVOs the moderator Virgil recommended I try seem to have failed the evaluation in one way.

    I read that an SAE task force is working on true LED replacements for incandescent bulbs. That’s exciting! (Hope we don’t have to wait too long).
     
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  15. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    I am totally clueless on this whole LED thing. I was just getting into understanding the compact fluorescent.
     
  16. Vinnie B

    Vinnie B New Member

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    This is the post that I started with and was planning on buying a reverse light bulb to see better with my reverse camera. I no longer have to do that. Although my Prius is newer than the rest of yours (2014) this is what I figured out. At your radio click on the setup button. Next, click on the display button. From there you can adjust Contrast / Brightness for the camera and general.... clicking on the minus symbol makes it easier to see.... if it is different here you might have to revert to your owner's manual if you still have it.... FYI I can now see in the bright daylight and nighttime... I've only installed my camera non-factory about 6 months ago and it was really only good on cloudy days... or early mornings late evening's when sun was not bright. Hope this can help someone.
     
  17. Vinnie B

    Vinnie B New Member

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