Back-up camera not working/question

[SWDC]

Hi all:

 

I bought a 2013 CMax hybrid last year. At first the back-up camera worked all the time. Then it started to work intermittently. Then it stopped working completely.

 

I pulled the fuse out for the camera fuse. It was intact, not blown. I put it back in. Camera still not working.

 

Yesterday, thanks to advice I saw on the Energi forum, I pulled the F67 fuse. Not blown. Put it back in. I turned the car on and put the car in reverse. The camera worked!  For 5 seconds.  Then it stopped working. 

 

So, I guess I know it is not the camera itself that is the problem. Any other ideas? My mechanic says he has no clue, and I'll have to take it to a Ford dealer. I just went from full-time to part-time work, and would rather avoid anything costly if I can. I don't really need the camera, but I got spoiled and it would be nice to have if there is a low-cost fix.

 

Thanks for any help!

 

[plus 3 golfer]

What shows up on the display?  Does the display go blank? or display anything else when the backup camera video is not being displayed?  

 

The camera video signal goes to the Accessory Protocol Interface Module then to the Front Display / Control Interface Module which I believe determines what to display.  When the car is shifted to reverse, the FDIC displays the camera video.

[SWDC]

Hi Plus 3 Golfer: thanks for replying!

 

The screen goes black when it is in reverse, and tells me to contact the dealer. 

[plus 3 golfer]

So, IMO it's likely not related to the two modules.  It appears the modules know the car has been put in reverse but there is no video from the camera to display.  Hence, the black screen and message.  The rear camera has six connections: positive from fuse F31 in the  rear junction box, ground, a local interconnect network (LIN) connection to the Body Control Module , and a video connection (+, - and shield).

 

So, perhaps it's wiring or a faulty camera.  Maybe you can find a used / salvage camera as the camera is fairly expensive.

[SWDC]

Thank you again!  Since I got an image, it seemed the camera might be mechanically sound. I guess the wiring problem could be inside the camera, but then I am not sure why playing with the fuse would lead to an image from the camera. 

[plus 3 golfer]

So, have you pulled fuse 31 multiple times and the camera works for about 5 seconds when in reverse each time? 

[SWDC]

It started after pulling F67.

thanks.

[plus 3 golfer]

Does pulling F67 work everytime in getting the back camera being displayed while in reverse?  

 

F67 is hot all the time and supplies power to the APIM, FDIM, and the GPS module.  So, pulling the fuse will restart the modules and likely reset any diagnostic trouble codes, if any, and process the camera video until the modules runs through their diagnostic procedures.  Since there is  a message displayed, there will likely be a DTC.

 

With the ForScan App for a smartphone and an ELM327 OBDII adapter, you can scan the modules for DTCs.  IMO, it is the best $30 of so one can spend on their C-Max. 

Edited June 13, 2017 by Plus 3 Golfer

[SWDC]

Hi Plus 3 Golfer: Sorry for being slow in responding. I only drive my car about once per week. This time I removed and replaced the F67 fuse again. The camera worked. I drove around for a minute, turned the car off, and turned the car on, and the camera worked again. So....for now it is working, although I have a feeling it might fail again.

 

Yes, my mechanic checked the computer and it had a number of codes, but he could not figure out how to fix the camera.

Thanks again. I guess there is no way to know why it works sometimes and not others, but at least playing with the fuse fixes it some of the time. 

[fbov]

Check the tail gate, too. 

 

My camera stopped working when my tailgate got misaligned, so it didn't close properly. Camera doesn't work if it thinks the tailgate is open. 

 

Frank

[SWDC]

Hi Frank: thanks so much. So does your car indicate it thinks the tailgate is open in some way (dashboard light)?

 

The camera works every time I take the F67 fuse out and then put it back in, but it won't work the next time. I have to play with the fuse every time.

 

I'll check the tailgate fuse also I guess.

thanks

[fbov]

Looking at my records, I see these service items. 

3/31/2015 31,980 Van Bortel Ford 819077 Sound System    TSB14-0037 R/R GPSM 5/1/2015 33,540 Van Bortel Ford 823233 Electrical   back-up camera guides not visible, see latch 5/1/2015 33,540 Van Bortel Ford 823233 Electrical   Cannot lock vehicle, see latch 5/1/2015 33,540 Van Bortel Ford 823233 Electrical   TSB14-0070 did not fix; R/R latch, latch motor

 

My GPS was repaired under warranty, 3/31 and when I got the car back, the doors wouldn't lock and guides were missing in back-up camera. In fact, the tailgate latch had failed, so the tailgate couldn't fully close, preventing locking, and guide display. System interactions...

 

Have fun,

Frank