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      05-14-2017, 07:16 PM   #1
PennBruce
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Rear View Camera Installation Help

I posted this on the other Z4 forum with no results.

The camera is coded and wired to the radio. However, I am having problems with routing the cable to the rear.

A few notes on the installation.

The radio bezel is easy to remove, just four pins, one at each corner. However, the radio can't be completely pulled out without removing the shifter.

To remove the shifter, first use your trim tool to pry up the front of the shifter boot bezel. Then disconnect the ribbon cable. Finally, pull the shifter straight up being careful not to hit your face. When I was researching this, I couldn't believe it was this easy.

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The challenge in putting the radio back in, is getting your hand behind the radio to put the camera module and the additional cable down into the recess below the radio cavity.

I've run the cable to the rear quarter. The problem is how to get to the trunk. This trim piece is resisting removal:

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I've removed all the push pins but I still can't get these two trunk liners out

I assume I need to remove this liner on the rear of trunk to gain access to the license plate lights. The camera replaces one of the lights.

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Suggestions will be appreciated.

Bruce
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      05-14-2017, 10:45 PM   #2
PennBruce
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Found a video on removing a tail light that I think will help with access to the rear for the camera (license plate light) installation.

Bruce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHJa6z6e-a0
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      05-15-2017, 12:11 PM   #3
rking117
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that round silver (or black as mine is) plate with four notches turns off like a bolt. Simply use a flat screw driver and gently tap it until you unscrew it enough to loosen it by hand. I removed my tail lights as in the video before and found i had to remove quite a few of the trim pieces in there. first the tail light covers. then the side plates and finally the rear piece that you show above. Once you have all those removed you will see the clearance to run wires through the cabin. I cant recommend enough to make sure that if you are running a wire that contains positive voltage that it needs to be located in an area that will not pinch in the event of an accident. Even better would be to fuse the powered side of the wire.
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      05-16-2017, 08:50 PM   #4
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I finally finished the installation.

Here's what I installed:

http://www.bimmerretrofit.com/store/...ar+view+camera

This consists of the camera/license plate light, a control box and an interface harness that goes between the factory harness and the radio. The only challenge on the radio end is fitting the control box and the additional harness into the recess below the radio cavity.

The license plate camera/light provided is slightly too small. I used a small amount of clear adhesive on one end to keep it in place. The only other negative is at night the other license plate light creates a small amount of glare on the left side of the screen.

Here's a day time picture:

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I ended up routing the cable up the door pillar by pulling the weatherstripping over and tucking the cable behind the trim.

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I took off the top trim that surrounds the top of the seat belt and then routed the cable down behind the speaker.

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At the bottom is an opening to the trunk.

Access is easier with the top partially down so that the trunk is up at the front. You can then reach down and find your pull-line. In the following picture you can see my white pull-line.

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I could not find an opening into the area of the rear fascia to access the license plate light. I ended up running the cable through the rubber grommet that is at the bottom of the trunk just forward of the tail light.

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From there I fished a wire down from the license plate opening and pulled the cable through.

This cable routing minimizes the number of trunk liner panels that need to be loosened/removed.

Bruce
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      05-19-2017, 02:31 AM   #5
BBriner
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PennBruce View Post
....

The license plate camera/light provided is slightly too small. I used a small amount of clear adhesive on one end to keep it in place. The only other negative is at night the other license plate light creates a small amount of glare on the left side of the screen.

...
How is the camera's led compared to the original one? I am also thinking about installing a rear view camera in my 2009 E89 and as the combo camera/license plate light has a built-in led I am worried that the led color is different or has different intensity compared to the original.

Would you mind posting a picture at night?
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      05-23-2017, 06:41 AM   #6
PennBruce
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i will post a night picture.

I am planning on replacing the camera with a license frame camera and reinstalling the original license plate light.

Bruce


Quote:
Originally Posted by BBriner View Post
Would you mind posting a picture at night?
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      05-28-2017, 04:03 PM   #7
PennBruce
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Here's a night picture:

Name:  License Plate  Night.jpg
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Bruce

Quote:
Originally Posted by BBriner View Post
Would you mind posting a picture at night?
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      05-30-2017, 08:46 PM   #8
PennBruce
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New Camera

The license plate camera is now installed and the original license plate light is re-installed.

Here's a pic of the license plate lights with the new camera:

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The camera throws a shadow on the center of the plate.

Here's the screen display:

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I prefer the look of the car with the license plate camera. Also, the old camera mounted on the license plate light skews the view.

Bruce
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      05-31-2017, 11:36 PM   #9
BBriner
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Thanks for the pictures Bruce.

These are the ones I ended up buying. I still don't know which one I will install in the rear but most likely is the one with the license plate frame.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/262600281065
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331983275435
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      06-02-2017, 11:27 AM   #10
PennBruce
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Interesting development!

I've had a problem with the top and now BMW won't cover it because of the rear cam installation.

I will post a separate topic on this.

Bruce
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