Reverse Signal Access in Cockpit

[Brian Sullivan]

I am in process acquiring knowledge (and tools and parts) to upgrade the CDR-24 in my 2006 Boxster (tiptronic equipped) to a 2din aftermarket head unit. All is going well -- I have acquired the bezel replacement kit, wiring harness kit, have decided on the head unit and new door speakers (though those are still on the to buy list), and have sourced good online information for removing the CDR-24 and replacing door speakers

 

As part of the job I am currently planning on installing a backup camera. The plan is to use one of those wireless transmitter/receiver units to avoid the hassle of running video wire from the back to the cockpit. That requires that I access a signal in the cockpit to trigger the backup display in the head unit (and also to trigger the return to normal display). All the information I can find suggests using the backup light at the rear light assembly as the signal trigger. That would seem to negate the whole "wireless" strategy though so is sub optimal at best.

 

Any suggestions as to where to acquire the signal inside the cockpit with the least turmoil? 

[JFP in PA]

I am in process acquiring knowledge (and tools and parts) to upgrade the CDR-24 in my 2006 Boxster (tiptronic equipped) to a 2din aftermarket head unit. All is going well -- I have acquired the bezel replacement kit, wiring harness kit, have decided on the head unit and new door speakers (though those are still on the to buy list), and have sourced good online information for removing the CDR-24 and replacing door speakers

 

As part of the job I am currently planning on installing a backup camera. The plan is to use one of those wireless transmitter/receiver units to avoid the hassle of running video wire from the back to the cockpit. That requires that I access a signal in the cockpit to trigger the backup display in the head unit (and also to trigger the return to normal display). All the information I can find suggests using the backup light at the rear light assembly as the signal trigger. That would seem to negate the whole "wireless" strategy though so is sub optimal at best.

 

Any suggestions as to where to acquire the signal inside the cockpit with the least turmoil? 

 

You can probably pick up a reverse signal off the flat ribbon cable coming off the Tip, but you are going to need a wiring diagram before you start trying to cut into the cable as they are expensive to replace.

[Brian Sullivan]

Presumably the lead to the backup lights originates somewhere in the cockpit as well - I was thinking that might be a good source if I knew where to look.

[JFP in PA]

Presumably the lead to the backup lights originates somewhere in the cockpit as well - I was thinking that might be a good source if I knew where to look.

 

No, it does not.  The wiring and reverse switch itself are under the car and on the transmission itself:

 

       

[Brian Sullivan]

Ah then --- trying to do the wireless thing might well be a waste of effort.

 

So how are the backup lights fused?

[JFP in PA]

Presumably the lead to the backup lights originates somewhere in the cockpit as well - I was thinking that might be a good source if I knew where to look.

 

 

It gets its power from the Tiptronic controller (rear boot), which has its own fuse (fuse holder C, circuit C5, 15A) which supplies all power for the Tip:

 

[Richard Hamilton]

You could take a signal from the Rear Control Unit, which I believe is under the left hand seat.  Plug A pin 22, black/blue wire.

[Brian Sullivan]

Actually I think I found an easier solution. A little more research and I found apparently these wireless send/receive units are made in 3 different configurations, one of which includes a trigger wire on the receiver specifically designed to trigger multimedia heads to display rear camera by attaching to the lead in the unit. I haven't found a source in the usual suspects (Ebay/Amazon) but a Chinese supplier has one at Alibaba:

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-4G-wireless-Module-adapter-wireless-transmitter-and-receiver-for-Car-Rear-View-Camera-Car-parking/1468757995.html