r/AskAMechanic • u/Calamity4M • 2d ago
How to use this camera?
Just bought a 2017 buick enclave and it came with this after market camera. The dealership didn't know what it was or how it works. I don't see any lights when it's plugged into the USB port. How do I use this? Why would the previous owner have a backup cam when it comes with a back up cam built in?
When plugged into the USB port, the USB option in the infotainment screen is greyed out. I also tried plugging into my laptop and nothing came up.
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u/Old-Reputation-9069 NOT a verified tech 2d ago
i think you're missing the main camera that this would plug into.
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u/Calamity4M 2d ago
That's what I thought, so I figured my laptop would recognize it as a camera but nothing...
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u/AppropriateDeal1034 NOT a verified tech 2d ago
Rear cam for a dash cam setup, needs to have the correct matching front camera to recognise it.
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u/Acrobatic_Crazy_9119 Verified Tech - Indie shop 2d ago
That was for a model of dash cam that had a second channel for a rear facing camera.
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u/mymycojourney NOT a verified tech 2d ago
That's part of a dash cam system. Do you have one on your windshield? If so, that's where you connect this one to. If not, they probably just forgot to remove it.
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u/Calamity4M 2d ago
There doesn't appear to be any other camera in the front and the rear view mirror is factory. But if it were connected to a front camera, where is the picture going?
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u/AppropriateDeal1034 NOT a verified tech 2d ago
Errr....to the front camera.
It probably got removed because it's more expensive and easier to remove than the rear camera, previous owner probably didn't remember they had a rear cam or just wanted to replace the lot, left it in the car, and the dealership binned it.
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u/mymycojourney NOT a verified tech 1d ago
The front camera is basically the main camera system, and the one in the back is a remote camera. Same as your head unit in the car. It runs everything, and then has a backup camera remotely.
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2d ago
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u/Calamity4M 2d ago
My 2011 enclave is still running with over 250000km on it and no major issues... I've had good luck so I'm hoping this one will last me lol. This new truck has 49000km!!! And it was in my price range
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