[jcolon68]

I bought a backup camera off ebay and installed. The issue is after I turn the car on the camera starts flickering, which makes it useless.

I have read somewhere here that I need to put in a Relay.
Can someone tell me if this is really the case and show me how to wire the relay??

It's driving me crazy!

[shadow191]

You do need a relay, the back up light voltage on our cars isn't stable enough to power the camera, hence the flickering once you turn the car on. Just do a search, I forget where the posts are, but there are a ton of them. You need to find a constant 12V power source, not the lights (I tested all of the light wiring and none of them will work). I forget which wire I tapped, it's been a while. I tapped the signal wire from the reverse light so it activates the camera once you put it in reverse.

[jcolon68]

Originally Posted by shadow191

You do need a relay, the back up light voltage on our cars isn't stable enough to power the camera, hence the flickering once you turn the car on. Just do a search, I forget where the posts are, but there are a ton of them. You need to find a constant 12V power source, not the lights (I tested all of the light wiring and none of them will work). I forget which wire I tapped, it's been a while. I tapped the signal wire from the reverse light so it activates the camera once you put it in reverse.

Yes, I know I need a relay , just dont know which to get or how to wire it. That is the info I need. Just need help installing Relay and which type of relay to use.

[shadow191]

You asked "if this is really the case" which implies you're not sure whether you need a relay.

Here's a thread where they discuss where to get power from.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...a+relay&page=2

You can get the relay from Radioshack. Google which pin does what to see which one is the power, switch, ground. And I would recommend getting a voltmeter to test for suitable wires. Thinking back, I tapped one of the power wires for my amp since it was the closest 12V source and then tapped a reverse light wire for signal. This is because my camera is wireless so I had to tap all the wires in the trunk. First camera I had was wired and I ran a power wire all the way to the dash along with the signal wire. It's easier to find a constant 12V in the cabin than it is in the trunk.

[jcolon68]

Originally Posted by shadow191

You asked "if this is really the case" which implies you're not sure whether you need a relay.

Here's a thread where they discuss where to get power from.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...a+relay&page=2

You can get the relay from Radioshack. Google which pin does what to see which one is the power, switch, ground. And I would recommend getting a voltmeter to test for suitable wires. Thinking back, I tapped one of the power wires for my amp since it was the closest 12V source and then tapped a reverse light wire for signal. This is because my camera is wireless so I had to tap all the wires in the trunk. First camera I had was wired and I ran a power wire all the way to the dash along with the signal wire. It's easier to find a constant 12V in the cabin than it is in the trunk.

Great! I will research this info. ..Thanks for your help!