[Galan]

I have a 2006 330i E90. I tried to install an after-market backup camera. It didn't work. I checked everything and found that the reversing light wire that I was using to power the camera was only presenting 10.7 volts. The camera requires a full 12 volts to work. I confirmed the camera is working by plugging it into the cigarette lighter outlet. I checked the voltage on the other reversing light and it is also 10.7 volts. The reversing lights work, with no apparent problems.
I saw some other posts here about members having similar problems with backup cameras not working as expected.
Can anyone tell me definitively that 10.7 volts on the reversing wires is normal/expected or should it be a full 12 volts (the lamps are 12V)? If it should definitely be 12 volts, does anyone have an answer for what could be causing this ~10% voltage drop? Bottom line, is there likely an electrical problem causing the voltage drop or is it within the expected range? Thanks.

[d1saster]

I looked at the coding values in FRMFA.C21:

PWM_ANSTEUERUNG_RFS - PULSE-WIDTH MODULATION (PWM) CONTROL OF REVERSING LIGHTS
wert_01 12.2 V
wert_02 12.8 V
wert_03 13.5 V
wert_04 13.2 V

It seems the voltage shouldn't be lower than 12V. I was thinking to increase to higher voltage but you may have a leak somewhere.

Another option is to use the reversing light to trigger a relay and use other source for feeding the camera.

[Galan]

Originally Posted by d1saster

I looked at the coding values in FRMFA.C21:

PWM_ANSTEUERUNG_RFS - PULSE-WIDTH MODULATION (PWM) CONTROL OF REVERSING LIGHTS
wert_01 12.2 V
wert_02 12.8 V
wert_03 13.5 V
wert_04 13.2 V

It seems the voltage shouldn't be lower than 12V. I was thinking to increase to higher voltage but you may have a leak somewhere.

Another option is to use the reversing light to trigger a relay and use other source for feeding the camera.

Thank you D1saster for taking the time to look at that for me. I appreciate that very much! I guess I will have to go the relay route as it would probably be difficult to trace the wiring from the reversing switch thru to the reversing light.