How To - Reverse Camera Fitting Guide

[iSamage]

Just want to add to the topic, what a fantastic guide and thank you to the OP. Just fitted the referenced camera to my new vRS estate and it works a treat.

 

Cable rods are a must. And for the original boot release button, I gave in to my anger after 20 minutes and just prised one of the clips off. Obviously only do this if you don’t mind essentially breaking the original. 

[AlVal]

I 

On 24/02/2021 at 17:36, iSamage said:

Just want to add to the topic, what a fantastic guide and thank you to the OP. Just fitted the referenced camera to my new vRS estate and it works a treat.

 

Cable rods are a must. And for the original boot release button, I gave in to my anger after 20 minutes and just prised one of the clips off. Obviously only do this if you don’t mind essentially breaking the original. 

I found that the best way to remove the original boot handle/button was to simply remove the bootlid trim first, then there's a big metal hunk, motor or sth in the middle of the trunk, 3x plastic turn screws allow that to be pulled out, then you can just push the original handle out from the inside. at least that's the case for the superb notchback

Edited 7 March, 2021 by AlVal

[4WDDSG6]

On 09/10/2020 at 00:54, weyland said:

As there seems to be a lot of people asking questions about this lately, I thought I'd put together a quick guide showing how I fitted my reverse camera to a facelift VRS hatchback. They way that i've fitted this will apply to most models, with the key differences being the size of handle (based upon car model year) and whether hatch or estate (but this is just inside trim differences), there may also be wiring loom differences for earlier cars or none VRS models. I've benefited from info from these forums so hopefully this will be useful to others. I am by no means an expert & I won't be able to answer all of your questions, hopefully others will chip in and can add other info as well.

 

First of all, this is the camera that I ordered for my MY 2017 VRS (Camera A/Handle A):
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000230897829.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.40694c4dTEPT93
 (link may no longer be valid when you read this so screenshot below)

No programming is required for this camera and it supports dynamic reverse  guidelines

Tools:
Trim removal tools would be useful, but otherwise plastic tool that won't mark your car, or screwdrivers or similar with masking tape over the end.

A T20 torx head tool is required if you have a hatchback to remove the pulldown boot strap

Cable rods are very useful, I couldn't have fitted through the roof lining without.

Stereo removal tools unless they come with your camera kit

 

Cable route - I went with an OEM route for my cabling, following existing cables through the roofliner and out to the back as show by the red line below.

 

The camera:

 

The first thing that I did was to check that the boot release switch was working on the new unit - there's no way you want to wire this in and find it is faulty.
You'll need to start removing the boot trim to access it. Remove the plastic clips from the lower boot trim-  this consists of a few plastic clips which easily pop out with trim remover/screwdriver. There are 8 of these on the hatchback.

 

After that  start removing the upper plastic trim, this simply requires forces to release the metal clips. You don't need to remove all of this for now, but it will all need to come off later

 

Remove the lower upholstered trim covering the tailgate. More metal clips - work your way around. You'll also need to remove the pull down strap with the T20 torx head. When this is down you should be able to drop the boot liner which will give access to the boot release handle.

 

This can be awkward to remove, but can be done by pushing in the clip on one on the ends whilst also pushing down on the handle from the inside (ignore the clips along its length) - it should then pop out. Repeat for the other side.

 

Unplug the harness and plug the new handle in - check the release switch works. You can either now push the new handle in until it clips, or leave it out to test the video connection later before fitting.

 

To wire it in

Remove the glovebox (open, rock left to right whilst pulling up & you'll hear the bottom clips release. Raise the glovebox lid up and inside the housing and reach in and remove the dampening on the left hand side)

 

Use the stereo release keys to release the multimedia unit.

 

The kit used here comes with a replacement harness that sits between the original one and the media unit & includes the video feed cable. Some people have removed the upper glovebox section to provide more access, be careful not to unplug the airbag connector if you do this. This can be fiddly, but I found the best way was to lie on my back with my head in footwell looking up at the unit from underneath. With the media unit slid fowards this gives access to the harness. It's the large one at the bottom and there is a locking connecting that needs to be pushed backwards to release. Check how it works on your replacement harness. Unplug old harness and plug it in to one end of the new one, push the harness in to the void and plug the new connector block in to the media unit. This took me a while to get it all to fit in. When done you can now test the video feed to the rear camera before your start wiring it in permanently.

 

I took the camera cable  over the top of the fusebox cage &  out through the side panel

 

I then ran the cable up the A Pillar to the roof lining and all the way to the end. Cable rods were really useful at this point, especially to get around the B pillar , and to go from the end of the roof liner through the cable exit point behind the rubber trunking where the original boot cables are. You can also run the cable in the trim above the sill and work your way back up to the roof lining on the C pillar. When you get to the end of the roof lining you'll need to unclip the rubber gator at the top of the boot so you can get the cable out of the roof liner and in to the boot via this gator. If you install the same way as me you only need to peel the roof liner down a few cm, being careful not to deform or damage it and you'll see the OEM cables behind.

 

 

Once you've got the cable this far it's a case of feeding it through the rubber gator, up the side of the boot and over to the handle; connect the video cable and tidying up any spare cable.

 

Everything should now be up and running. Retrace your steps to refit your trim. You now have a fully working reverse camera, activated when reverse is selected and with dynamic guidelines. The parking sensor guide now shifts to the left of the screen the same as an OEM reverse camera.

 

I will come back and re-edit this tomorrow and resize pics as it's getting late. I'll tidy up any errors as I see them so please don't jump on me straight away!

 

Hello there and thank you very much for the great post, i instaled the same camera in my O3 vrs MY 2015 followed your instructions.   

In my autoscan i have no errors but i saw something in 5F address that i want to share with you .

Some photos above 

 

autoscan before rear view camera intsalation 

 

Address 5F: Information Electr. (J794)       Labels:| 5E0-035-MIB-HGH1.clb
   Part No SW: 5E0 035 043 D    HW: 5E0 035 043 C
   Component: MU-H-N-EU     H44 0370  
   Serial number: A312C0FB006244
   Coding: 037351010000000011110002000000002F0001E401000100F6
   Shop #: WSC 73430 790 00063
   ASAM Dataset: EV_MUHig6C3HBAS 001041
   ROD: EV_MUHig6C3HBAS_VW37.rod
   VCID: 1D3182F80C27696C09-8048

   Display and control head 1 for information electronics: 
   Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 5E0 919 606     HW: 5E0 919 606 
   Component: ABT_High  H61 0031 
   Serial number: SKZ8Z9RW8004BX      

   Data carrier: 
   Subsystem 2 - Part No SW: V03 959 806 GL    HW: -----------
   Component: ECE 2021  --- 0189 
   Serial number: --------------------

No fault code found.
 

autoscan after rear view camera instalation 

 

Address 5F: Information Electr. (J794)       Labels:. 5E0-035-MIB-HGH1.clb
   Part No SW: 5E0 035 043 D    HW: 5E0 035 043 C
   Component: MU-H-N-EU H44 0370  
   Serial number: A312C0FB00
   Coding: 03735101000000001111000000000000000000000000000000
   Shop #: WSC 19460 666 12345
   ASAM Dataset: EV_MUHig6C 001041
   ROD: N/A
   VCID: 1D3182F80C276963C8-8048

No ASAM data for: "EV_MUHig6C" (SK37) 
No fault code found.

 

is this something not good ?

 

 

Edited 20 March, 2021 by 4WDDSG6

[weyland]

Nice install. I'm not familiar with the above, do you know what it is telling you is missing?

 

I haven't scanned my car but after a few months I have no I'll affects

[4WDDSG6]

Hello again , everything works perfect , i just saw the diference in autoscan  before and after installation and i would like to know why .

My opinion i that our camera works as parallel ecu and if you can see it is changing our coding in 5F adress  look above 

 

before :  037351010000000011110002000000002F0001E401000100F6

 

after    :   03735101000000001111000000000000000000000000000000  

 

i do not understand if this good or wrong but i think it is not looks good to me 

Edited 21 March, 2021 by 4WDDSG6

[lmcg]

Hi,

 

I installed the same camera into a 2017 Octavia se sport estate.  It worked great at first but now it has started to show a black screen about 50% of the time when engaging reverse.

 

If I move it in and out of gear it seems to work.  Anyone got experience of this? Presuming it's a faulty wiring loom or camera.... I hope the cable is fine.

[weyland]

Have you checked all cable connections (bit of a pain I know). If the connections are all good chances are it's the look. Check the connector block is firmly engaged in the media unit - I'd be tempted to unplug and plug it back in

[lmcg]

Hi, I did but I am going to give it another shot tonight. It's my wife's car so it doesn't get used as much.  Will redo them tonight and keep an eye on it, as I haven't seen any reports of similar issues.

[jay-git]

Hi, I am trying to fit the SINOSMART  A reversing camera, but when i fit the harness my media unit will not power up.
Octavia se l  69 plate. Am i missing anything here.
p.s Great guide 

[weyland]

Thanks. No, the harness should be plug & play. I would reconnect and ensure you have a solid connection between the headunit to piggyback harness, and piggyback harness to old harness. It only fit one way around

[Jip]

On 24/03/2021 at 15:35, lmcg said:

Hi,

 

I installed the same camera into a 2017 Octavia se sport estate.  It worked great at first but now it has started to show a black screen about 50% of the time when engaging reverse.

 

If I move it in and out of gear it seems to work.  Anyone got experience of this? Presuming it's a faulty wiring loom or camera.... I hope the cable is fine.

 

We've the same car here, was it Camera A you ordered, dynamic parking lines work and there was no coding required ?

Edit: It says in the bloody OP that it supports the lines and no coding requirement.

 

Is routing through the headliner or lower trim at the doors best?

Edited 21 April, 2021 by Jip

[Baxlin]

Brilliant How-to, many thanks, Weyland.  
 

I’ve today ordered a camera through the link in post #1.  Estimated arrival 10th May, so beware, I’ll probably be asking questions not long thereafter!

 

Not yet decided whether to go up or down with the cabling:  when installing other rear-end mods in the past - sensors, towbars etc - I’ve always gone along the floor, so I have to say I’m currently favouring that, as I’ve already run  the wiring for my dashcam up the A pillar.

[Baxlin]

Well, the camera arrived safely today, complete with unit removing tools, and the tailgate handle is the same shape/size as on the car, so it looks like I ordered the correct one.  Thx again Weyland.

 

The trim removing tools came earlier in the week, and I’m intending to use net curtain rod to feed the cable through.

 

So I’m all set to go, apart from plucking up courage to start taking the car apart!

 

(I assume all who have done this have informed their insurers, what has been the general response?)

 

Malcolm

[skomaz]

Maybe a stupid question...   but has anyone tried this on a Kodiaq?  It does say it should work on one but would be good to have some evidence...   ;-)

[langers2k]

Should be fine assuming you pick the right sized camera

[weyland]

I agree, I went from a 69 plate Karoq sportline to Octy VRS, headunit, media unit etc all the same.

 

It's also a small price to pay if for any reason it doesn't work

[weyland]

On 26/04/2021 at 09:58, Baxlin said:

...

Not yet decided whether to go up or down with the cabling:  when installing other rear-end mods in the past - sensors, towbars etc - I’ve always gone along the floor, so I have to say I’m currently favouring that, as I’ve already run  the wiring for my dashcam up the A pillar.

 

There's no right or wrong answer here, it just seemed easier to me to route through the headlining and get to the gasket and loom point leading to the boot

[Baxlin]

10 hours ago, weyland said:

 

There's no right or wrong answer here, it just seemed easier to me to route through the headlining and get to the gasket and loom point leading to the boot

Very good point.

 

memo to self: don’t ask for advice then ignore it!

 

[skomaz]

Sorry - just another thought - our headunit is a Bolero (so no Nav) Presumably this would still work regardless?

[Baxlin]

Update:  I managed to do the boot end of the job without removing the upper (hard plastic) tailgate trim at all.  Truth is, I couldn’t work out how it came off!

Also, I didn’t remove the lower one completely, just wedged it out of the way.

 

The WD40 into the gaiter worked well, and I used a lace curtain wire to feed the cable through the tailgate.

 

I went the upper route for the cabling, very straightforward, thanks.

 

BUT:  I can’t make it work!  Apart from there being no camera picture, everything else works just as it did before I started.  So it must be the camera’s connection. So it’s back to the boot to make sure that one’s OK.  If it’s not that, I have no idea what’s wrong.

 

Watch this space! (That’s all I can do, there’s nothing else new for me to watch! 😩)

[Baxlin]

Both connections are tight, the fuse is OK, everything else on the screen works as before.

 

Anyone any ideas?

 

Disappointed is an understatement!

[Baxlin]

Sorry about all these posts!

 

I’ve now got the plan view of the car to shrink to the left when reverse is selected, but still no picture.  (There’s nothing blocking the lens, thought I’d better mention that!)

Edited 7 May, 2021 by Baxlin

[langers2k]

19 hours ago, skomaz said:

Sorry - just another thought - our headunit is a Bolero (so no Nav) Presumably this would still work regardless?

 

It'll depend exactly which part number is fitted...

 

IIRC, not all headunits don't have the video circuitry required for a reversing camera but at least some Bolero certainly do 

[skomaz]

2 hours ago, langers2k said:

 

It'll depend exactly which part number is fitted...

 

IIRC, not all headunits don't have the video circuitry required for a reversing camera but at least some Bolero certainly do 

 

Cheers...   I'm hopefully collecting the car in a couple of days so can check the Bolero unit numbers then...   Touch wood given SWMBO's history of reversing 'new to us' cars (takes her a while to get used to them if you know what I mean)

[Baxlin]

On 07/05/2021 at 17:55, Baxlin said:

Sorry about all these posts!

 

I’ve now got the plan view of the car to shrink to the left when reverse is selected, but still no picture.  (There’s nothing blocking the lens, thought I’d better mention that!)

SUCCESS!!

 

So, after a rainy few days, I was able to look at this again.  I took the glovebox out and pulled the infotainment unit out again, and unplugged all the connectors.  Plugged them back in, getting what seemed the same clicks as they went in place, and the camera worked.

 

Had a bit of trouble getting the removal tools out, but well worth it.  Excellent picture, and it has the ‘steering’ lines, which is good.

 

Thanks all

Malcolm