Hey guys, I just got new JVC head unit, and there's a wire you
tap into the reverse lamps with so that your rear-view camera
displays on the screen when (and only when) you put the car in
reverse.  I thought I could tap in @ the fuse box on the
driver's side (marked 'reverse lamps'), but that is always on,
so the switch must be further back. 

My question is, does anyone know a place I can tap into the
reverse gear lights without having to go all the way back to
the rev lights themselves?  

I know that's actually very easy to get to, but A) the wire
supplied isn't very long, and B) I've already put all that
back together since mounting the rear camera, and am too lazy
to take it apart again (if it's not necessary).

Searched, and couldn't find this one.

TIA!

-Nicholas

Originally posted by snufalufagus040
Hey guys, I just got new JVC head unit, and there's a wire you tap into the reverse lamps with so that your rear-view camera displays on the screen when (and only when) you put the car in reverse. I thought I could tap in @ the fuse box on the driver's side (marked 'reverse lamps'), but that is always on, so the switch must be further back. My question is, does anyone know a place I can tap into the reverse gear lights without having to go all the way back to the rev lights themselves? I know that's actually very easy to get to, but A) the wire supplied isn't very long, and B) I've already put all that back together since mounting the rear camera, and am too lazy to take it apart again (if it's not necessary). Searched, and couldn't find this one. TIA! -Nicholas

Sorry I don't know the answer, but was wondering if you had a pic of the camera install. Is it noticeable to the average person or do you have to be looking for it to notice it?

i'll put some pix up tomorrow. it's noticable; kinda looks like the license plate frame w/ cam built in. but i work for a surveilance company, and they gave me a 150degree fisheye, 1 lux cam w/ infrared for free. i like the wide-angle, because i can see everything behind me.

it's noticeable, but it was free. if it gets stolen, i'll buy a new one off ebay for $30-$50...

promise to take pix soon... hope my question gets answered though!

The connector for the wires(s) that feed the backup lights is buried behind the junction box by the left footrest. I would NOT recommend trying to tap in there. The next junction point is in the trunk.

I would highly recommend removing the sill plate cover on the left side of the drivers seat and find a small red wire with a blue stripe in the bundle of wires. According to my manual, that's the power feed from the reverse switch to the rear backup lights. It will show +12V when in reverse.

It's in this harness.

Thank you so much! My laptop crapped out on me the other day, so I'll have those pics of the camera install up soon. Points comin' atcha!

EDIT: Dammit, I already gave you points for helping me with projectors! :D You're the man!

i typed up this big long spiel, and hit the smilies table on this new laptop, and when i went to turn popups on, i lost the window and everything i typed. crap. i'm tired as hell. here's links instead of my pix and cool captions:

http://www.snufalufagus.com/janet/

anyways, long story short, you can see my cam, but i'm not worried about it getting stolen. i get free ones (http://www.icop.com) from work, so it's all good.

the head unit is great, i must say, despite all the bad reviews i read. only one Video in, so the pic of my center console is an rca switch. i also have an alpine tv tuner hooked up.

AZ Dave's license plate should say "AZKIKR". thanks again, man. you're always very nice and helpful.