[John Phoenix]

For those who haven't followed my roof woes, on our 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio, the roof is sealed shut and the electrical for the motor disabled. My nephew had it done before he sold us the car. The rear camera (I call it a back up camera) used to work prior to this work being done. I clearly remember seeing it. My nephew told me today he thinks it stopped working when the fellow he hired to seal the roof worked on the car and disconnected the electrical for the motor. This sounds really odd to me however since both are in the rear of the car it occurs to me he may have pulled a wrong wire or knocked one loose unintentionally.

The navigation system and radio (and camera display) are from a Pioneer AVH-P3200BT In-Dash DVD Multimedia Receiver as seen here: Amazon.com: Pioneer AVH-P3200BT In-Dash DVD Multimedia AV Receiver: Car Electronics These were made in 2010 so it appears the previous owner swapped the stock radio for this model which I assume perhaps came with the 2010 Smart Fortwo models. (Just guessing) I do have the PDF user manual for this navigation/radio system but nothing I do according to the instructions seems to help the camera work. (Ground Positioning System still works by the way, I understand this thing has lifetime GPS no matter who owns it.)

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thank you!

 

[Miss Mercedes]

The radio/nav unit that you have in this car is definitely aftermarket. What most likely happened is that the guy that did the roof job probably disconnected the wiring for the backup camera. Judging by the shoddy cut they put into the headliner, I wouldn't be surprised if they accidentally cut one the backup camera's wires.

What I would do is remove the backup camera from the car and trace its wiring harness. You'll most likely end up behind some interior panels.

 

[smark]

Wish I could help. Your dealing with all aftermarket stuff. Contact Crutchfield auto.

 

[John Phoenix]

The radio/nav unit that you have in this car is definitely aftermarket. What most likely happened is that the guy that did the roof job probably disconnected the wiring for the backup camera. Judging by the shoddy cut they put into the headliner, I wouldn't be surprised if they accidentally cut one the backup camera's wires.

What I would do is remove the backup camera from the car and trace its wiring harness. You'll most likely end up behind some interior panels.

Yeah, I figured I'd have to be doing that, just after I install the aftermarket horn. It was the cheaper option other than going through the steering wheel or replacing the SAM for a relay. (I would like to integrate the new horn into the anti theft system if possible) I also have an ESP problem and an airbag problem to solve. The ESP doesn't come on all the time. Getting an inspection sticker however was not a problem. At least I have no belt problems, oil or fluid leaks, every filter and fluid has been changed and according to the NGK Iridium spark plugs I pulled out the engine has no major problems. It's purring like a kitten. Other than the horn and back up camera, everything else electrical works. Thank you Ma'am.

 

[John Phoenix]

Wish I could help. Your dealing with all aftermarket stuff. Contact Crutchfield auto.

You may just have helped. If I trace the wires and they lead back to that system with power an continuity intact then it may be the unit that's faulty. At least I know where I can go to ask questions about that unit. They sell Pioneer units similar to the one I have. I think it must have been a young guy that owned it last because the car has two huge Bazooka Bass Tubes in the back. I'm not much for listening to music these days although I san see me cranking a little AC/DC now and then in this car. LOL Thanks.

 

[John Phoenix]

I was able to Fix the camera problem! I cannot tell you exactly what fixed it but there must have been a loose connection someplace. I have since read somewhere that all these systems can be prone to bad connection problems. I took everything apart from the camera to the tail lights from which the camera was getting power to the wire going back up to the front of the car. There was an RCA plug in the system as well as what looks like some type of power plug. I had good continuity on everything, put it all back together, re taped up and the connections so they would not come loose and the camera started working again. At least it wasn't anything major.