2014 Pilot backup camera issues

Catfish

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I have a 2014 Honda Pilot that has a flaky backup camera.

Sometimes it works fine and sometimes the image is near-black. It seems to coincide with hot days but not 100%.

When it fails you'll see a blank screen with the lines of the backup overlay. It's getting an image, but it's so dark it looks black. If I shine a light into the camera lens you can see it on the screen.

Google says "adjust your brightness". We tried that - brightness settings are maxed out. It doesn't fix the problem. Our car has not yet been to the dealer, but others report no help there, and I don't want to pay them to go fishing.

I hope to fix this myself if possible and any help from the gun nut gallery is much appreciated.
 
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Our CRV does the same thing but it's usually the brightness. It's worse when our automatic headlights are kicked on.
 
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Is the Pilot parked with the sun on it for a long period of time?
That would allow the heat to build up at the camera.

I'm just guessing.
 
Is the Pilot parked with the sun on it for a long period of time?
That would allow the heat to build up at the camera.

I'm just guessing.
Yes and it does malfunction more often in those conditions. But it's failed on cold days and worked on scorchers too.
 
Yes and it does malfunction more often in those conditions. But it's failed on cold days and worked on scorchers too.
It might be the amount of light it is getting and not the heat.
 
It might be the amount of light it is getting and not the heat.
Did I mention it also does this at night?... oops no I didn't. It also misbehaves at night.

I experimented with covering it up and with shining 180 lumens directly into the eye. Covering it up did nothing. Shining bright light into the eye made the image about 5% brighter after removing the light and you could see dim shapes only - kind of like looking at full daylight through welding goggles.
 
Never messed with one but does it have a shudder or lens adjustment on the camera itself that might be hanging up from the heat or are they fixed? Might be able to see it move.
 
That is sooo last century.

Yes it is. But I am from the last century, so it works for me.

My wife's new 2018 Toyota Camry has all of these new "Gadgets". While I admit that they are cool, I wonder this:

If a driver gets accustomed to the backup cameras and birds-eye view cameras, etc. Aren't they even more of
a danger when they attempt to drive something that doesn't have these "enhancements" ?

Sorry. Call me old school. I use the mirrors, and turn my head to see what's around me. Its worked for a long time. Why should I change now?
 
I hear you man, and I agree. Short answer though is this: They are designing these cars with the camera in mind. Visibility from the driver's seat is crap and the camera has become integral to the safe operation of the vehicle.
 
You're not wrong but we paid for bells and whistles and I just want the GD thing to work.

Ok new development & maybe another clue - now the camera is flickering.
I suspect a loose connection but I have no idea where the wires run on this. Google is no help - maybe one of you wrenchpros can share a pic or some experience?
 
Maybe the ground is wonky. Ground G403, located behind glove box maybe more towards the center/right of dash, possible down low.

I cant find a picture of the location.
 
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