I am trying to install a front camera in a 2012 Camry with the OEM 6.1 touchscreen display radio. Last year I added the ebay T-harness to the radio head and installed a generic back up camera that works great.
I am trying to add a front camera (or rt turn signal lane camera) and bought a two channel switch off ebay. Now I can see either camera when the car is in reverse gear and by using the switch can toggle back and forth to each camera. But only in reverse gear!
I assumed I needed the trigger signal to the head, and hooked both cameras to the trigger wire from the switch box. (I put a diode in to prevent back flow to the tail lights).
However this does not work? The screen is not activated when I trigger it with ACC power?
(I had been told this was probably not possible in the 2012 as the signal had to be digital?)
It seems it should work to me? Any ideas or help would be appreciated. Thanks Roger

 

Does all your system work when in reverse?

 

Yes works fine and switches between cameras.

 

"Now I can see either camera when the car is in reverse gear and by using the switch can toggle back and forth to each camera. But only in reverse gear!"

The nav/radio ECU uses the gear selector switch to prevent camera video when not in reverse.

 

IS there a way around this ECU control of the display. ? Why does it prevent video when not in reverse? Thanks

 

Liability issue. Toyota doesn't want drivers to be distracted when going forward.

There should be a wire going to the navigation receiver. This wire indicates by a high/low voltage signal if the shifter is in R. The wire may have +12V if the shifter is in R and 0V if not.

 

Yes I found that wire in the harness. It is 12v when the gear is in reverse. No voltage when not in reverse. I assumed this was a trigger wire for reverse. I had tried adding 12v to this wire from ACC when not in Reverse, but the video and receiver still did not activate.
I had considered adding 12v from ACC to that harness reverse wire, and 12v from ACC to the switch trigger wire at the same time. I got cold feet about messing with the unknown and didn't try it. Easy to try - What do you thinK? Thanks

 

I could add a diode to keep the ACC 12v from going back from the reverse wire at the head to the ECU -- so it wouldn't tell on me? WDYT?

 

Speed sensor wire (purple) also goes to the nav unit. Need to disconnect.

 

Joey this is the info I needed to find and now I understand. (Bypasses Explained - Car Kit Company)
What I really want is just a lane view of the right side when I activate the right blinker. A friend had this added by a shop and really likes it. I don't have a nav unit or want to watch movies etc. (A front camera might be helpful parking also). I will give it a try and report back. Thanks Roger