Backup camera issue
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2012
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2010 ML350 Bluetec
Backup camera issue
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!
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!
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 357
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From: Toronto, Canada
2013 E350 BlueTec, 2011 VW Jetta TDI
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 28
From: Seattle, WA
99 ML430, 01 CLK55, 07 R63, 15 E63 Wagon
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).
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 313
Likes: 9
From: SoCal
'03 A4 2.0 Stroker, '14 E63 S AMG, '10 E550, '10 S550, '03 C240
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 431
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From: NYC / LI
2013 CTS-V, 2017 Audi Q7 / Past MB's: 2011 ML350 & 2012 ML350
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.
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.
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From: SoCal
'03 A4 2.0 Stroker, '14 E63 S AMG, '10 E550, '10 S550, '03 C240
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 39
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From: Forest Hills - New York
2011 ML550 Blk/blk, P02, Ltr Pkg, Lght Pkg
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 313
Likes: 9
From: SoCal
'03 A4 2.0 Stroker, '14 E63 S AMG, '10 E550, '10 S550, '03 C240
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:
Last edited by AudiA4Turbo22; Aug 28, 2012 at 07:03 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Forest Hills - New York
2011 ML550 Blk/blk, P02, Ltr Pkg, Lght Pkg
Newbie
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2007 ml350
factory backup camera replacement
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
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 380
Likes: 59
From: Illinois
2019 Audi Q8, 2015 GL63, & 2005 E500W4
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!
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!
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From: Bronx, N.Y.
2002 ML 320 & 2006 ML500
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2020
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From: ORLANDO, FL
09 ML350, 98 SLK
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2019
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From: Yeast Coast, Canada
GL550 X164
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.
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.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
2007 Mercedes-Benz ML500
It worked!
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.
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.
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!
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
cls 550 2012
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.
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.
hahaha it workded
