Adding Front Camera to XLT
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Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Michigan
I'm actually setting it up to show the front camera view when the truck is in drive (I agree it would be pretty useless if only shown in reverse).
The truck can show the camera view when it is in drive, but only when the Reverse Delay setting is turned on, and only right after the truck is switched out of reverse. It keeps the reverse camera view on for some time after switched out of reverse (until speed exceeds 5 mph I believe). So I'm setting it up to switch to the front camera instead once the car is shifted out of reverse and into drive. Then I can see this front view until I start going faster than 5 mph. Not perfect but best I can do for now.
Unfortunately you can't just switch on the camera view, as the Power-train Control Module (PCM) needs to send a signal that the truck is in reverse in order for the display to switch to the camera view.
The truck can show the camera view when it is in drive, but only when the Reverse Delay setting is turned on, and only right after the truck is switched out of reverse. It keeps the reverse camera view on for some time after switched out of reverse (until speed exceeds 5 mph I believe). So I'm setting it up to switch to the front camera instead once the car is shifted out of reverse and into drive. Then I can see this front view until I start going faster than 5 mph. Not perfect but best I can do for now.
Unfortunately you can't just switch on the camera view, as the Power-train Control Module (PCM) needs to send a signal that the truck is in reverse in order for the display to switch to the camera view.
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From: Michigan
I looked into other ways but can't think of anything else.
To turn the reverse camera display on, the PCM sends a message to the Gateway Module (GWM)(sent via HS-CAN1) that the truck is in reverse. The GWM then sends this message to the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM)(sent via HS-CAN3). The APIM is directly connected to the screen. The APIM needs this signal to switch the display to the camera view. I know it's possible to hack into these CAN bus messages but not something I know enough about to try.
To turn the reverse camera display on, the PCM sends a message to the Gateway Module (GWM)(sent via HS-CAN1) that the truck is in reverse. The GWM then sends this message to the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM)(sent via HS-CAN3). The APIM is directly connected to the screen. The APIM needs this signal to switch the display to the camera view. I know it's possible to hack into these CAN bus messages but not something I know enough about to try.
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From: DFW, Texas
I've been doing a lot of leg work on this and honestly it just isn't possible with out getting the video processor and a fair amount of work.
I really want cameras on all sides and use the factory screen but just isn't going to happen.
I've even ventured down the road of a raspberry pi.
Ultimately I'm probably going to just set up a remote screen above my mirror so I can add blind spot mirrors and a front camera. Wire them to the turn signals and the front to a switch.
If any of you figure it out, I'll gladly send you PayPal
I really want cameras on all sides and use the factory screen but just isn't going to happen.
I've even ventured down the road of a raspberry pi.
Ultimately I'm probably going to just set up a remote screen above my mirror so I can add blind spot mirrors and a front camera. Wire them to the turn signals and the front to a switch.
If any of you figure it out, I'll gladly send you PayPal
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So if I'm getting this the right way, all you have to do is put a toggle switch between the front and rear camera and let the rest of the system do its thing. (With the reverse delay active that is...)
(In your case, you want to have an automatic relay instead of a toggle switch, but the principle is the same...)
With the switch toggled to the rear camera, you have the original system that display the rear camera when going into reverse and still displaying the rear camera going back to drive until a certain speed. (100% OEM way of doing things)
With the switch toggled to the front camera, you have the exact same thing but instead displaying the front camera. (Only the video input into the Sync3 interface is actually connected to the front camera instead of the back, but Sync3 doesn't know that...)
Are the camera simple RCA video signal ? Toggling between them shouldn't be to much of a problem... But what about the power requirement of the (front) camera ?
(In your case, you want to have an automatic relay instead of a toggle switch, but the principle is the same...)
With the switch toggled to the rear camera, you have the original system that display the rear camera when going into reverse and still displaying the rear camera going back to drive until a certain speed. (100% OEM way of doing things)
With the switch toggled to the front camera, you have the exact same thing but instead displaying the front camera. (Only the video input into the Sync3 interface is actually connected to the front camera instead of the back, but Sync3 doesn't know that...)
Are the camera simple RCA video signal ? Toggling between them shouldn't be to much of a problem... But what about the power requirement of the (front) camera ?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 239
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From: Michigan
So if I'm getting this the right way, all you have to do is put a toggle switch between the front and rear camera and let the rest of the system do its thing. (With the reverse delay active that is...)
(In your case, you want to have an automatic relay instead of a toggle switch, but the principle is the same...)
With the switch toggled to the rear camera, you have the original system that display the rear camera when going into reverse and still displaying the rear camera going back to drive until a certain speed. (100% OEM way of doing things)
With the switch toggled to the front camera, you have the exact same thing but instead displaying the front camera. (Only the video input into the Sync3 interface is actually connected to the front camera instead of the back, but Sync3 doesn't know that...)
Are the camera simple RCA video signal ? Toggling between them shouldn't be to much of a problem... But what about the power requirement of the (front) camera ?
(In your case, you want to have an automatic relay instead of a toggle switch, but the principle is the same...)
With the switch toggled to the rear camera, you have the original system that display the rear camera when going into reverse and still displaying the rear camera going back to drive until a certain speed. (100% OEM way of doing things)
With the switch toggled to the front camera, you have the exact same thing but instead displaying the front camera. (Only the video input into the Sync3 interface is actually connected to the front camera instead of the back, but Sync3 doesn't know that...)
Are the camera simple RCA video signal ? Toggling between them shouldn't be to much of a problem... But what about the power requirement of the (front) camera ?
I'm assuming that the camera video signals are the same and I'm planning to power the front camera to a circuit in the fuse box that is on whenever the ignition is on.
Last edited by CJW91; Aug 26, 2016 at 11:38 AM. Reason: *added info for video signals
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From: DFW, Texas
Also if you are adding a rear camera like I did since I did not have a factory camera, you are going to have to tap a constant power source when you do the instal and not the reverse wire like most do. FYI.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 239
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From: Michigan
But it's only going to come on with the delay after you shift to reverse. So anytime you want the front camera to come on you're going to have to flip the switch shift to reverse then back into drive.
Also if you are adding a rear camera like I did since I did not have a factory camera, you are going to have to tap a constant power source when you do the instal and not the reverse wire like most do. FYI.
Also if you are adding a rear camera like I did since I did not have a factory camera, you are going to have to tap a constant power source when you do the instal and not the reverse wire like most do. FYI.