Question about front side view cameras

[Qsilver7]

I test drove a 650ix GC this past weekend and it had the two front side view cameras. There was an obvious issue with the front left camera in that each time I pressed the button, it never showed anything...that side of the screen was always gray. The right camera would show an image but it only stayed up for about 5 seconds and would turn off. Each time the car was standing still and not moving at all.

My question is...does the front side view cameras only show an image briefly then turn off? Or did this car have a more involved issue with not only the left camera not working...but the front side view cameras are turning off prematurely (if standing still)?

Thanks in advance for any input.

[Giggs11]

By pressing a camera button they should stay on up to the specific speed and then they automatically turn off I'm not sure the speed I forgot I have my coded in so I put them on / off manually, something is definitely wrong with yours, good luck my man

[Qsilver7]

Thanks...you confirmed what I was thinking.

[brad850csi]

On my M6 they turn off at ~12mph. Can't say I've been looking too closely but it is around that speed. Otherwise they'll stay on.

[Flying Ace]

yep, it's broken, and it's not a cheap fix from what I've heard. It could be just the camera (easy cheap fix) or the entire harness (not easy/cheap). Each camera costs $120.

[Qsilver7]

I looked up the front side cameras on the www.newtis.info website and saw that they don't look that difficult to access and test (swap sides to see if the issue follows the camera). If the camera works on the other side...then the issue is may be something with the wiring harness...but then, how deep is that rabbit hole?

{FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL}

Release screws (1).

Fold wheel arch panel (2) to one side.


*************************

Release screws (1).

Remove side view camera (2).

Unfasten plug connection (3) and disconnect.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

I looked up the front side cameras on the www.newtis.info website and saw that they don't look that difficult to access and test (swap sides to see if the issue follows the camera). If the camera works on the other side...then the issue is may be something with the wiring harness...but then, how deep is that rabbit hole?

{FRONT LEFT WHEEL WELL}

Release screws (1).

Fold wheel arch panel (2) to one side.


*************************

Release screws (1).

Remove side view camera (2).

Unfasten plug connection (3) and disconnect.

yes sure, everything is easy on a diagram. Coincidentally on the M6, our side cameras are integrated on the same plastic piece as the reflector, so when M6 owners change reflectors we had to deal with the cameras. It's not easy, you need to either remove the wheel fender or peel it back. Here's my DIY and you can see how it's removed: https://www.6post.com/forums/showpos...7&postcount=11

You'll need a Torx 8 precision screwdriver with a short handle/shaft to unscrew the camera housing in order to access the plug on the camera. The shorter the handle/shaft the better as you'll be approaching the screw from its side.

[DE4NO]

I replaced mine as they were both blurry because of the marble effect (common fault due to age and weather/salt) replacing both is very easy, 3 hex bolts in the inner arch liner and 2 torx screws on each camera, unplug and replace. You will have one camera showing upside down on the display at first but is easily recalibrated using ista+
The camera cables being replaced, however is a whole different ball game. Luckily mine were ok.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

...on the M6, our side cameras are integrated on the same plastic piece as the reflector. . . Here's my DIY and you can see how it's removed: https://www.6post.com/forums/showpos...7&postcount=11

You'll need a Torx 8 precision screwdriver with a short handle/shaft to unscrew the camera. . . The shorter the handle/shaft the better as you'll be approaching the screw from its side.

Originally Posted by DE4NO

I replaced mine as they were both blurry because of the marble effect (common fault due to age and weather/salt) replacing both is very easy, 3 hex bolts in the inner arch liner and 2 torx screws on each camera, unplug and replace. You will have one camera showing upside down on the display at first but is easily recalibrated using ista+
The camera cables being replaced, however is a whole different ball game. Luckily mine were ok.

Thank you both for sharing your experience and tips...all will be duly added to my mental Rolodex if I have to deal with this issue (or should I say "when").

[Qsilver7]

On a similar note...while perusing some 6 GCs up for sale the other day...I ran across this pic that has the front view cameras up on the display...but the images are upside down. How'd that happen?

[Giggs11]

Cameras are switched , problem is when you take bumper off or Doing some work in the area you have to disconnect the camera or actually take them off in some cases and then people do mistakes putting cameras backwards , switch the camera's left or the right right to the left and problem solved

[Qsilver7]

Ahhhh...so the fix may be something simple in this case. Thanks.

[DE4NO]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Ahhhh...so the fix may be something simple in this case. Thanks.

If one camera was upside down it would need recalibrating using ISTA+ but as they are both upside down swapping them will flip the image to the correct way round, easy fix.

[pargolf]

I’m having a malfunction warning for my left side camera for my Alpina B6. Same thing happened on my M650 Gran Coupe a few years ago. I fixed the issue myself by replacing the camera cable.

My questions is: while checking the right side camera, I found another camera socket not connected to a camera with electrical tape on it. Does anyone know why there would be a second camera socket on the right side? I connected a camera to it and it didn’t work on the side camera function.