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How to: Install OEM Backup Camera (above license plate)
Evo X How Tos / InstallationsPost or link to your detailed how to / installation articles in here. If you have any questions regarding the how tos, feel free to post them in the Request sub-forum.
DjEclipse, thanks for all the info. I'm trying to add a back up camera to my stock navigation (MMCS) unit. What's nice about this original write up is that everything is pretty much plug-and-play. I'm just trying to find a different camera that would work but would not cost $300.
DjEclipse, thanks for all the info. I'm trying to add a back up camera to my stock navigation (MMCS) unit. What's nice about this original write up is that everything is pretty much plug-and-play. I'm just trying to find a different camera that would work but would not cost $300.
This thread seems to be talking about how to make the rca cammera work with MMCS.
You should be able to wire it in. I have a RCA-to-factory wiring adapter that I used with my 2015 OE head unit so you should be able to wire it up the other way. You'd have to hack up the factory harness though.....
This installation provides commentary to the OEM installation of the camera harness and then provides specific instructions for the modified location of the OEM camera.
This instruction may also be used to aid in installing an aftermarket camera either to the MMCS or to an aftermarket head unit.
Placing the backup camera just above the license plate does not affect the effectiveness of the camera. The OEM location does provide a view of the bumper cover for reference but it is not worth affecting the appearance of the car.
1 - Camera kit, MZ380462EX, $302.20
1 - Harness, MZ607384EX $65.98 (This is nice even for aftermarket cameras to have because it is insulated and is plug and play to the MMCS)
1 - Cover (A39 graphite gray), MZ607432EX, $22.80
2 - Corner braces (can be purchased from Lowes, Home Depot, etc)
2 - M6x1.00 15mm long bolts (can be purchased from Lowes, Home Depot, auto parts store, etc)
2 - Tinnerman Clip Nuts M6x1.00 size (can be purchased from Lowes, Home Depot, auto parts store, etc)
This comes out to ~$400 shipped. I got it for $360 shipped because it was discounted.
Remove Cowl side trim (2), Front scuff plate (1), Center pillar trim (7), Rear scuff plate (3).
Note: You may have to peel back the front and rear door opening trims (4 & 5). RH side shown in pictures below. Attachment 296994 Attachment 296995
Remove the upper and lower rear seat.
Note: When you reinstall the rear upper seat, make sure you hang it correctly. This is probably the hardest part of the install as it is very difficult to engage it on all 3 hangers. Attachment 296996 Attachment 296997
Install the harness into the MMCS unit.
Note: See Reference Page 9 for Non-USDM wiring. Attachment 296998
Run the wires across the dash and down to the kick panel. Attachment 296999
Run the wires along the side sill and through to the trunk. Attachment 297000
Modified Location Installation Instructions
With the rear seat and trunk lining removed, continue to route the harness along the wiring harness that leads to the back bumper. There will be a grommet located just below the rear LH taillight.
Remove Trunk room trim front (23, 24, 25), LH Trunk room side trim (28), LH Trunk room box (21), LH Trunk room floor side board (17), Trunk room floor board (18), Trunk room bat (15), Rear end trim (22), and RF subwoofer (if installed). Attachment 297001
Remove the rear bumper cover. This picture is confusing to look at but make sure you remove the center bolt located underneath the license plate. Pulling the bumper cover sides from the rear bumper side brackets (9) is the hardest part. You may need to use a pry tool to disengage the tabs. Be careful not to damage the paint. If you are afraid, tape over the painted areas with masking tape.
Note: If your car is fitted with the optional mud guards you wil have to remove them too. Be careful removing the bumper cover and make sure you remove all of the required fasteners. If it seems hard to remove, you probably didn't remove all of the fasteners. The bumper cover sides are the only parts that require some force to remove. Attachment 297002
Run the harness through the grommet below the LH tail light. Route the harness above the bumper reinforcement and to the license plate area. I routed mine so that it came to the RH side of the camera so that the harness coming out of the camera wouldn't have to make a 180 degree turn.
The camera assembly consists of 2 pieces; the camera itself and a camera bracket. The camera bracket is that diamond shaped plastic piece that has the fastener holes in it. The camera is cube shaped with a wiring harness coming out of it. The camera is mounted to the camera bracket with 2 small fasteners on the back.
If you look at the installed picture, you will notice that the camera is actually mounted upside down compared to the OEM orientation. What I did was that I removed the camera from the bracket and flipped it over. There is a locating tab on the camera that I cut off in order to do this. So when you flip the camera over, you can mount the camera in the orientation shown in the pic and have the image appear right-side-up.
Camera modification and assembly
1. Remove the 2 small fasteners from the back of the camera assembly.
2. Remove the camera from the bracket. Be careful not to damage the harness as it is a tight fit.
3. Cut off the tab on the back of the camera.
4. Reorient the camera upsidedown in the camera bracket. Reinstall using the 2 small fasteners removed in step 1.
5. Obtain the 2 corner brackets and bend them approximately 45 degrees outwards.
6. Assemble the cover on to the camera assembly.
7. Install the 2 corner brackets over the fasteners on the cover an attach using the 2 M6x1.00 nuts supplied with the camera kit. Use 'loctite' threadlocker to ensure it doesn't loosen.
Bumper cover modification
1. Determine the location of the camera assembly. Be sure to test fit the camera with the license plate in place. Place the camera assembly in the desired location and mark the mounting location with a pen.
2. Drill a 8mm (5/16") hole in the marked locations.
3. Cut a small notch in the recess of the bumper cover in order to install the Tinnerman clip. Repeat on the other side. You may need to cut away some of the bumper foam on the RH Tinnerman to gain clearance.
After installation of the clips, it should look like the pic below. Attachment 297007
5. Install the license plate.
6. Connect the harness to the camera. Tuck it behind the bumper cover taking care not to pinch the harness.
Notes:
Do not make tight bends or cram the harness into an area where it may chafe over time.
I used some dielectric grease in the connector to protect against corrosion. The connector is not really designed for outdoor use. Attachment 297009
7. Check the image in the screen and adjust the angle as necessary. Attachment 297010
Here is a view from outside the car. Compare it to the view in the screen and you will see that the wide angle lens covers a lot. Attachment 297011
Here is a view of the boots to show how wide the coverage is. Attachment 297012
Comments
I kinda would prefer that the camera cover be painted flat black to match the lower diffuser. It would be less conspicuous that way. I actually had the camera mounted without the cover before and you could barely notice it.
The cover is not required for installation but it gives it a clean look.
Total installation time is approximately 2-4 hours. The tedious part is actually pulling all the trims and seats. Like I had said earlier, putting back the rear seat is very difficult.
Reference Info Page 7 Required for OEM camera location installation Page 9 Required for Australian wiring Page 12 Required for OEM camera location installation Template A Required for OEM camera location installation Template B Required for OEM camera location installation
This how-to guide has been tremendously helpful over the years, and 16 years later it's still helping me out!
Allow me to add that for the 2014-2015 OEM MMCS navigation, there is a hidden menu accessible by holding two keys together for 5 seconds, "Settings" and "Map". There, there is even a Camera Setting which allows us to adjust the green and red lines to aid us reverse more precisely!
Occasionally the MMCS doesn't let me access the hidden menu when the engine is running, even as I'm holding the key. Hence, I had to shutdown the Evo entirely, turn on accessory power, and then, after the MMCS boots, hold the two keys to access the hidden menu .
Originally Posted by HoodieWeather
I take it that the OEM camera which I've found many on eBay, doesn't have the lines like the aftermarket cameras have?
Personally I prefer the aftermarket cameras like Kenwood of Pioneer. They include all the wired needed. The OEM one doesn't, and I had to pay the Mitsubishi dealership for parts and labor to install.