[Rotary Rasp]

As some of you may know, our cars had the option for a factory installed backup camera in the European market. For whatever reason, BMW decided that the North American market was not worthy enough.

n8s 330xi has complied a more detailed DIY on post 198: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...&postcount=198

Also check out this wiring diagram by grzes: http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...3&d=1424898850



3 things are required:
Total Cost ~$130

Reverse camera:
ANY camera will work! But if you want it to look OEM then I recommend getting one that is integrated into the trunk handle. They can be found on ebay for around $50. If you're on a budget, there is also one that is integrated into the license plate light for about half the cost.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281330142436...84.m1497.l2649
OR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-1-3-5-X3...item4181bd748f
OR
ANY CAMERA

Reverse camera emulator:
This taps into the cars CANBUS system and fools the navi into thinking that you actually have the required oem hardware. This can also be found on ebay for around $80.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E90-E60-..._Tools&vxp=mtr

Coding
This part not as difficult as it sounds. You'll need to borrow or buy a K-DCAN cable and download a copy of NCS-EXPERT. There is even a software app that another vendor made which will code the CIC module in one mouse click. I will show you how do it without that app because I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate people using it without buying their $500 kit.

STEP 1:


Open box. You can see both the camera/trunk handle and the emulator module here. The ebay seller I purchased from was able to get my package delivered in 4 days with the standard free shipping. Pretty amazing!


STEP 2:





Remove trunk liner using a flat head screw driver. Uninstall existing trunk handle and insert new camera/handle. Fish the wires down one of the support columns underneath the trunk lid.

STEP 3:


Make sure that whatever camera you get has the micro a/v and power connector. Otherwise you'll never be able to get the connectors through the oem flex tube. Even with the micro connector, it required me to use a pull string with lots of dish soap as a lubricant and about three attempts before I was victorious.

STEP 4:
Route the wire from the trunk to behind the dash. I didn't bother taking pictures of this because it's very easy to tuck the wire under the rear seat and passenger door seal. You could also tuck it behind the center console. Doesn't really matter how you get the little cable to the navi.

STEP 5:



Pop out the navi and splice into 4 wires. The colors all match up. Attach the brown and green from the emulator to the brown and green on the navi harness (this is the CANBUS interface). Do the same the red and black (power wires). Lastly. the WHITE wire from the emulator is used to power the camera. So attach that to the cameras RED wire. You'll need to ground the camera at the trunk.

The kit will come with a bare RCA cable that will to be attached to pins 21(+) and 24(-) on the back of the navi unit itself. They just slide on, nothing tricky. I used some shrink tube for protection.

(I'm not going to go into detail on how to remove the navi, there are many other DIYs for that. All you need is a screw driver and about 5 minutes)


STEP 6:
This isn't a coding tutorial so you'll have to be resourceful read one of the million coding DIYs. But nonetheless, you'll need to add option $3AG to the VO in the CAS and FRM modules. This basically changes the original vehicle order configuration to include the back up camera. Next you'll need to enable the feature in the navi computer (CIC module). The values you need to change are as follows:

MACRO_PDC
aktiv
MACRO_REARVIEW
aktiv
RVC_CIC
wert_23
MACRO_L6_PARKMENU
aktiv
PDC_DIRECTION
vertikal




Just an FYI:

I have had a couple installs where the emulator would lag a few seconds when shifting into reverse. I have found that this is because the CAN wires going to the emulator and to the radio are not twisted together tightly.

If your video takes a second or two to appear after you select reverse, check your CAN wires.

[LACSTER]

Great info and thank you for sharing.

[WRichieX]

Hey how are you getting power to the camera? Didnt you have to tap into a 12v? Also, does the emulator automatically know when you put in reverse? I ask because I use a multi media unit and I had to tap into the reverse light to get it to switch on when reversing as well as tap into the fusebox for power. This set up seems like the emulator just does all that for you? My sisters been begging me to install a rearview camera for her e93 and this solution seems so much easier.

[Rotary Rasp]

Originally Posted by WRichieX

Hey how are you getting power to the camera? Didnt you have to tap into a 12v? Also, does the emulator automatically know when you put in reverse? I ask because I use a multi media unit and I had to tap into the reverse light to get it to switch on when reversing as well as tap into the fusebox for power. This set up seems like the emulator just does all that for you? My sisters been begging me to install a rearview camera for her e93 and this solution seems so much easier.

The emulator powers the camera and switches the idrive screen automatically when the car is shifted into reverse.

The WHITE wire from the emulator is used to supply +12 to the camera. You'll need to ground the camera to the chassis in the trunk.

[WRichieX]

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

The emulator powers the camera automatically when the car is shifted into reverse.

Nice! Thanks.

[Rotary Rasp]

For those who don't want to splice any wires on the car should consider buying this $25 harness.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141227219779

[jezzy]

I believe this only works with pdc installed? Great job!

[Rotary Rasp]

Originally Posted by jezzy

I believe this only works with pdc instead? Great job!

I haven't been able to get a straight answer on that question. But I'm 90% sure you are correct, rear PDC at a minimum is required. On the plus side, retrofiring rear PDC is pretty cheap and easy. I've seen necessary parts on ebay for roughly $200 total.

[jezzy]

Very neat. Will add to my todo list!

[dwells]

Nice work - just goes to show what a rip-off the vendors are!

[terminator2k2]

nice 1.....do you lose the boot opening switch ?

also no lines for the distance or is it this optional?

[CPWINCH]

would you be interested in doing this for me? I will compensate for the labor. Please let me know. I am local

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by jezzy

I believe this only works with pdc installed? Great job!

We guys in UK have done it few months ago. If you search it on google, you will come across and I guess that is from where the OP got the info.

Few things to consider
- PDC module is minimum requirement so that this emulator can sense the parking mode via Canbus
- This module gives issues if you have retrofitted CIC
- This emulator sometime get stuck to reverse camera despite of driving for 1-2 minutes (reported by UK customers)

Overall it is cheap mod for retrofitting reverse camera.

[grzes]

oh now ~130 is what might convince me to have the camera installed thx for the info and links
let me know if that handle maintains the trunk opening switch or do you have to mode it as well

[Rotary Rasp]

Originally Posted by terminator2k2

nice 1.....do you lose the boot opening switch ?

also no lines for the distance or is it this optional?

The handle still opens the trunk as normal. It's even made out of the same soft rubbery plastic that is used on the oem handle.

Distance lines are a function of the camera. The camera that I used has the ability to enable or disable them by shorting two leads together at the camera. There is no way to enable/disable from idrive. For that feature you need the OEM camera. Personally, I think the lines look cheesy anyway.

[Rotary Rasp]

Originally Posted by makkan00

We guys in UK have done it few months ago. If you search it on google, you will come across and I guess that is from where the OP got the info.

Few things to consider
- PDC module is minimum requirement so that this emulator can sense the parking mode via Canbus
- This module gives issues if you have retrofitted CIC
- This emulator sometime get stuck to reverse camera despite of driving for 1-2 minutes (reported by UK customers)

Overall it is cheap mod for retrofitting reverse camera.

I actually stumbled across that thread this morning while writing this DIY. I was having a hard time remembering which CIC options need to be coded. It is a VERY USEFUL THREAD. Too bad I found it after I was done....

In regards to the emulator getting stuck:

It can be a little laggy sometimes. but not enough to bother me.
If the idrive system isn't fully started when you put the car into reverse, it will take a second to switch on. (I drive a manual and I lot of times I will leave it in reverse when parked. This doesn't give the car much time to wake up)

[Rotary Rasp]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

would you be interested in doing this for me? I will compensate for the labor. Please let me know. I am local

Yes, I'm sure we could work something out.

Do you need the install and coding? Or just the coding?

[jezzy]

Originally Posted by makkan00

We guys in UK have done it few months ago. If you search it on google, you will come across and I guess that is from where the OP got the info.

Few things to consider
- PDC module is minimum requirement so that this emulator can sense the parking mode via Canbus
- This module gives issues if you have retrofitted CIC
- This emulator sometime get stuck to reverse camera despite of driving for 1-2 minutes (reported by UK customers)

Overall it is cheap mod for retrofitting reverse camera.

thanks for the info. I'll have to pay careful attention as I'm installing my cic retro really soon, just a few last minute parts coming in the post.

[sankohuy]

I'm guessing this only works with CIC?

[Rotary Rasp]

Originally Posted by sankohuy

I'm guessing this only works with CIC?

I can't personally confirm, but according to the ebay sell it works with both CIC and CCC.

[I35it]

Very interesting!! I will for sure have to do this!! Thank you for this. Now I wonder if that app on my android can do it?

[StevenY.]

Thanks for the DIY! Sorry for the noob question but is it not possible to retrofit this if your car doesn't have PDC?