2014 Ford Edge - Backup camera working intermittently

[NickCo]

Hey there, I've seen a few other posts about this from several years ago, and nothing is quite the same situation. So my camera works about 5-10% of the time and all the other times I get the black screen and the "contact your dealership" message. On the rare occasion it works, it has had to sit in park for 5+ minutes, normally while I start the car early and get the kids outside and loaded up. Any info would help. Thanks!

 

 

 

 

[NickCo]

As an update, I took the back panel off to look for a cut, loose, or corroded wire, and It looks brand new back there still. I also tried the "quick fix" of turning off and on the camera settings. My vehicle has never had any "vehicle not in park"  symptoms so I don't think its that either. 

[CARR142]

https://www.fordedgeforum.com/search/?q=Backup camera working&type=forums_topic&nodes=6

 

 

 

[NickCo]

On 4/14/2022 at 11:38 AM, CARR142 said:

https://www.fordedgeforum.com/search/?q=Backup camera working&type=forums_topic&nodes=6

 

I looked at this specifically, and it wasn't in that condition. Still looked new. 

Edited September 2, 2022 by 1004ron
No need to quote everyting

[enigma-2]

Couple of thoughts on this.

1. Shifter malfunctioning. If for any reason the shifter is not triggeeing the backup signal, the BCM won't get the signal, the backup lights won't come on and neither will the camera. (Possible reason for being intermittent). 

Have someone shift into reverse while you stand behind the car and see if the backup lights come on. If they don’t, the shifter mechanism is suspect. If th we y do, have them check to see if the camera is working. Shift several times to see if you can get it to fail.

 

2. Have someone shift into reverse. With the camera malfunctioning, try tapping directly on the camera to see if it's the problem. (If its purely electrical this may not work). If it works again (even briefly) the camera is the problem.

 

3. It's also possible that there's corrosion inside the connector (the components can still look new on the outside, but corrosion can form inside the connector causing intermittent faults). This requires removing the harch cover panel again, unplug the camera connector and carefully check for corrosion. (This is more common than you think. I was avionics tech in the Marine airwing. In Vietnam, we ran into this all the time. Aircraft cannon plugs are watertight with seals,  but water still found its way into the connections. One of the first things we checked.

Had a "hanger queen" that we just couldn't find the problem. Called in the Boeing rep and he found a thin coating of corrosion on one pin. Nearly imposdible to see. He fixed it by pouring some Coca Cola into the connector. Worked).

[NickCo]

15 hours ago, enigma-2 said:

Couple of thoughts on this.

1. Shifter malfunctioning. If for any reason the shifter is not triggeeing the backup signal, the BCM won't get the signal, the backup lights won't come on and neither will the camera. (Possible reason for being intermittent). 

Have someone shift into reverse while you stand behind the car and see if the backup lights come on. If they don’t, the shifter mechanism is suspect. If th we y do, have them check to see if the camera is working. Shift several times to see if you can get it to fail.

 

2. Have someone shift into reverse. With the camera malfunctioning, try tapping directly on the camera to see if it's the problem. (If its purely electrical this may not work). If it works again (even briefly) the camera is the problem.

 

3. It's also possible that there's corrosion inside the connector (the components can still look new on the outside, but corrosion can form inside the connector causing intermittent faults). This requires removing the harch cover panel again, unplug the camera connector and carefully check for corrosion. (This is more common than you think. I was avionics tech in the Marine airwing. In Vietnam, we ran into this all the time. Aircraft cannon plugs are watertight with seals,  but water still found its way into the connections. One of the first things we checked.

Had a "hanger queen" that we just couldn't find the problem. Called in the Boeing rep and he found a thin coating of corrosion on one pin. Nearly imposdible to see. He fixed it by pouring some Coca Cola into the connector. Worked).

Okay, We've tried the first two.

 

the shifter seems to be working great. and lights always come on. We tapped the camera while in reverse, didn't work. I'll take that panel off again, I looked inside all of the connectors, but I wasn't 100% sure which one was the specific one for the camera itself. I couldn't quite get to the camera without removing that additional backplate. Do you know which one it would be?

 

Thanks for the recommendations!

[enigma-2]

1 hour ago, NickCo said:

 I couldn't quite get to the camera without removing that additional backplate. Do you know which one it would be?

I was thinking of the connector on the back of the camera itself. (Closest to the weather). See if this video helps

 

[gonesail]

yes ..  I wonder how many camera problems are related to the connector as well. what with dirty conditions to high humidity and extreme temperatures. but checking the connector is almost the same as replacing the camera. mine has become intermittent so will do the checks you mentioned above.

[stevp1]

I'm having the same issue in my recently acquired 2013.  I will follow these tips and report back.  thanks everybody!

[14AWD3.5]

I just started getting a 5-20 second lag between backing up and then shifting into drive while the rear camera stays on.
Read about holding the radio power and ffd arrow buttons in for a few seconds. That helped but it still lags 3-5 seconds.

This is just what I am getting, haven't checked wiring.

[pedro2u]

Happy to have found this thread.  My 2011 Edge camera has mostly NOT worked for at least the last 5 years.  It would occasionally surprise us when it would come on.....  But thanks to the YouTube video posted by enigma-2 and the $60 camera I purchased on Amazon it now works again. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H4M12TV?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

The video makes it simple.  The only issue I had was that my trusty 25 year old vice grips were not up to the task to remove the  6 studs,  even after a soaking with PB Blaster.  So as of now it's retired (recycled) and a run to the hardware store delayed the repair but got me a new replacement from Milwaukee.  It had no issue with the studs.

 

The only change I'd suggest to the video is when to test the replacement camera.  In the video, he tests it after he has reassembled everything but the back cover.  I suggest testing sooner,  as soon as you've popped the outside panel with the camera back in place and you're at the point where you can plug in the connectors.  It would just save some disassembly time in the event it didn't work for any reason

 

All in all though, an easy and very rewarding DIY!  Thanks to all for your contributions

 

Pete

[SteelTX]

Another driver happy having found this thread. 2012 Limited with 78K Miles.
Camera was showing all the same symptoms of others that have failed.
Ordered one from EBAY $50 with crossed fingers. Seller double checked which Edge I had before shipping.
Followed the Youtube video posted above for the "no-cutting repair"... Exception,  I used the 11mm nuts you take off to remove the studs. Double nut the stud and remove the stud. Instead of vise grips.
My connections were clean. Got it all put back together. Results in attached picture. Picture good and guide lines work now.
Note:   I had some evidence that someone had removed the inside hatch trim before. One nut was loose and fell out along with a nice phillips screw driver bit as I removed the trim.

 

Thanks,

Ron in Amarillo TX.

 

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by SteelTX

[1004ron]

Looks like my turn to put the useful posts above to good use.

 

About a week ago my 2017 started having a bad image with fluttering noise when I backed out my garage and then when I arrive at work it would be fine and when leaving work it would be fine - an intermittent issue which usually occurs the first time its used in the mornings.

 

I'm suspecting a bad connection so I'll pull the covers off and inspect connectors and add dielectric grease where needed, and search for moisture ingress - if all that fails I'll look at a replacement camera.

 

 

[enigma-2]

Check the grounds for any green crusties.

[1004ron]

I did this job today.

 

Its fiddly job getting all the white clips engaged again while trying to manhandle the internal cover - it will be so much more straight forward next time, which I'm hoping isn't required.

 

No sign of contact corrosion - I added dielectric grease to the connectors and reassembled - worked each time following this activity, but not forgetting that it was an intermittent problem.

 

If it misbehaves again I'll try replacing the camera but reluctant to go with 3rd party, but if I find one  with good reviews, particularly from folks here, I may consider it.

[omar302]

27 minutes ago, 1004ron said:

worked each time following this activity, but not forgetting that it was an intermittent problem.

 

I have had the front camera randomly misbehave. Some times a scrolling display view and/or a dark distorted image. When the issue became more frequent, I bought a cheap replacement (~$27), however, after installation it was apparently designed as a rear view camera as the image was inverted (left/right) and it had the rear fixed guidelines. Also the 180 view did not work. Camera also would not program/calibrate with ForScan. So returned it and reinstalled the old camera as is. But, the misbehaving went away for a while, and now started coming back but much less frequently.  Suggesting a contact issue.

 

As I did not do the installation myself, I didn't check of corrosion, next time might do as you did and add die electric grease after cleaning the contacts. 

[1004ron]

Well that "success" was short lived.

 

Had to run an errand and when engaging reverse in my garage it was darker and distorted - a few times after that and when I returned home it worked in my garage.

 

I'd like to go with the much cheaper 3rd party cameras that are abundantly available but would hate to go through all the install work and have issues with the lines and a different viewing angle.

 

.

Edited Saturday at 10:19 PM by 1004ron

[gonesail]

i replaced my 2011 camera with a "less than 100" dollar camera from amazon. got great reviews and had an amazing picture .. so much better than the original. but 2 years later it had gotten fuzzy and not so good. this was parked in a carport. i sold the car so not sure how it is today. but i would try to get the best camera i could afford. 

Edited Saturday at 10:16 PM by gonesail