Blurry backup camera fix?

Never heard of this problem with reverse camera... It's not exposed to the elements like the front headlights are. I suspect it has experienced some type of physical damage to either the outside surface of the lens, or due to moisture getting inside the camera. Probably easiest way to fix this is pull one off a Prius at a junk yard so you can practice removing it, which will make it really easy to swap it out with your existing one.

 

UV rays cause oxidation... The camera lens points downward and is under the rear hatch garnish. Unless your entire car is super oxidized from living in high UV conditions all its life there's no way your lens is fouled from oxidation. But if that's the case, to eliminate that issue, simply use some car polish on the lens and it's gone in less than 5 seconds.

 

Use buffer and the head light restorer that's pro made . Or use Dremel buffer pad needs be whistle clean n smooth. Look at it with magnifying glass to see progress . Swipe off junker .

 

It’s for sure plastic, not glass? I wouldn’t doubt it, but worth verifying.

Whatever the material, it’s very sheltered. Could just be a film on it. Try some sort of optical lens cleaner first?

 

Yep, those UV rays mess up plastic. Here, in Colorado, our UV rays are off-the-charts so just about every car's lights are all foggy when they are older than 5-years...sooner if they are always parked outside.
Tip: With new cars lights or after you restore headlights, spray some clear protectant on them that blocks UV rays. I like the Meguiar's Headlight Coating and spray our vehicles with it a few times a year....seems to be doing the job on the 2015 Prius but she's in the garage most of the time. The 2014 Tundra has one light starting to cloud up, again, but I'm looking at replacing both with after-markets soon, anyway.

 

Yeah but back up camera lens is tucked into the hatch recess.

(Don't get me started about plastic headlight housings, especially the latest sculpture exercises outa Toyota, well over a grand apiece. )

 

Oh I know! Thankfully, Toyota technicians/mechanics are reporting they only see issues with the LED headlights if folks crack them and water gets in. So when I hit that deer last year I made sure the repair folks replaced mine if there were any cracks or problems. (I believe they did....I now wish I would've gotten all the stuff back that was replaced.)

Not too many aftermarket options for Prius headlights but there's a ton for Tundra's, so that's good!

 

If and when it finally dies. I replaced my wife’s with this one. Backup Camera for Car, Waterproof Rear View Camera with Moveable Guideline, HD 960x720 Image Super Night Vision Car Backup Camera, 4 Layer Glass Lens 155 Degree Wide View Angle (Black) https://a.co/d/1Vm6uve

 

The aftermarket one is way better. It is pretty labor intensive to install however. The OEM one is only 6 volts. If your looking for the easiest repair. I would get a another stock camera at a junkyard. My wife’s car was bare bones and had no camera installed so I didn’t have a choice. I also installed a new radio head unit for her at the same time so I had the whole car apart.

 

Nice find... Can you give us more details about the installation? Did you have to install a screen to view it on?

 

HI All. Yes. I had to install a new pioneer AVH-211EX head unit in the car and had to home run the back up camera through the rear hatch and down the passenger side of the car under the carpet and door sills then under the dash.
i used the Metra 95-8240B Fascia kit and Metra Axxess ASWC-1 universal steering wheel control unit to make it all work. The back up camera I found on Amazon. The Nakita WD-011 currently $39.99 for the black one. comes in chrome and white as well for a few dollars more.)it has 145 degrees of range and comes with shims to adjust the angle. I used the smallest shim. I took my time and tapped the power feed from the reverse lights on the right rear tail light. the resolution is up to 960 TVL and it has a picture that is 4 times better than my stock OEM camera in my 2008. I installed this on my wifes base model 2008 prius which does not have SKS or a backup camera. So installation was from scratch. It worked very well. If I ever upgrade my HU to have APPLE Carplay then I will install this in my prius for sure. It is waterproof at very well made.

 

Thanks this is great info! Very much appreciated! Do you have any photos of head unit and steering wheel mount?

 

hmmmm. I pulled a still from a video I shot on it last year. It is not very good but I

yes. This one is not very clear. I’ll try and get more posted later.