jrrider1

Hello. I am experiencing an ongoing problem with my car's backup camera (preinstalled, not aftermarket). This doesn't happen all the time, may be 20%, not easy to show it "live" at the dealer.

Essentially, once the car is in reverse, I would get a black screen (as pictured) or lately it would be a black screen with static lines all over the screen. I brought it in for service a few weeks ago, showed to the service manager a video clip of the problem I had taken from my phone. He said he has never seen anything like it. Kept the car for a day, then according to the service summary, they went and replaced the "reverse camera voltage supply module". Everything was fine when I picked it up, brought it home, the next day the same problem occurred...again about 20% of the time. It is still intermittent, can't exactly tell when it will happen, but I have been videotaping each time it happened.

Wondering if anyone has had this problem in their W164 or know what the real issue might be? Thanks!

DC-IT

My guess is it looks like the back-up camera wasn't activated when the transmission is in reverse?
It's like the lens cap of a camera is left on!
This resulted in a black screen with the reversing guide lines projected on it.

xxGenericSNxx

Did you find a fix to your issue? My backup camera started acting up last night where in reverse the screen just turns black. So I know the input's changed by the camera hasn't seemed to turn on. (I don't have the reversing guidelines like yours, but it looks like the same issue).

AudiA4Turbo22

Have the same problem, this might sound crazy but it should work.

Put the vehicle in reverse and depress the parking brake fully, then get out of the car and go to the back of your ML and just above the chrome trim strip below the three pointed star give it a good SMACK and it should instantly start working.

The problem is a junk connector that connects the video from the camera to the HU.

xxGenericSNxx

Automagically it is working again today. Love these electrical gremlins.

416to212

AudiA4Turbo22 - That is a hilarious solution! I'm also having this problem, if you've isolated this to the chrome trim below the star then I'll start digging around there first!

Cyber GS

We had a similar issue with our 2011.

We would lose all dash board read-outs in the middle of the gauge cluster on occasion for about 15 seconds as well as the radio volume automatically adjusting while driving at a consistent spend, not when slowing down. It was not the auto volume control.

In addition, there were times when we would start the ML and it would take over a minute (my wife has timed it) for the Nav/Audio display to come on.

In June MB did a software update to the Audio/Nav system that seems to have corrected the issue, for now. Our service adviser told us that this was a pretty common problem.

AudiA4Turbo22

It's the connector that comes from the headunit to the camera, it's crap quality.

troby

Hi AudiA4Turbo22,

Do you know the exact PART that creates the problem? I'm wondering if there is a way to go to the dealership and point exactly the faulty part? - Just to 'avoid' the dance...

On my ML550, manufactured in 5/2011, I noticed recently same problem. When turned in R, the screen goes blank. When turned back to D or to P, the screen comes back to life. It happened just couple of times, without any pattern. I got the idea that the cause must be loose connector somewhere, but I was afraid that 'tracing' an electric circuit is not so easy. Furthermore, Murphy's Law could interfere, and everything be working perfect when the car is in the shop.

Thank you very much.

AudiA4Turbo22

The connector should be located in the panel lining the interior portion of the trunk lid. There should be a connector that looks like this:

troby

Hi AudiA4Turbo22,

Greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for the info.

blk rex wagon

Any updates.. I have the same problem and was about to try and find a new camera. Didn't think it could be the wiring

chikoo

What does it take to replace this? Do they have to open up the HU also?

chikoo

So my ML350 is at the shop and they believe it is the camera unit. Waiting for it to arrive and be replaced.

billygoat

I amtrying to replace the camera on my 2007 ml350. the lens is broken. I have the rear panel off but cant see how to get the camera out and put the new on in. anybody with this experience

Rickaren

Weber brothers deals in wrecked Mercedes. I got a transmission for have the price. They have a camera to replace yours.

SndsoftheSbrbs

I am having this problem in my 2011 W251.

Maj. Dundee

You are on the wrong forum.

https://mbworld.org/forums/r-class-w251-70/

Car Connection

Did you ever resolve the camera issue? Was it a defective camera or the small power module located in the left rear well under the lights?

drewfixit

The problem is the connector that connects the camera. Here is a video where you can permanently fix this problem:

expl0rer

Great fix! I would save the wire cutting part, though. Instead, remove the pins from the plastic part of the connector and reconnect them correctly. Also use the shrink-wrap like the video suggested. Less work this way, imho.

If you're adventurous, hollow the plastic and use it to hold the newly soldered wires. That adds work, though. Or make your own loop with a zip tie and protect the wiring with el. tape. Also adds work.

Acapulsky

It totally worked! I put the vehicle in reverse, depressed the hand brake (in your feet) and gave the chrome trim above the camera a good smack...and now its working. Thanks!

mack86

hahaha it workded