Reverse wire always gives 12v...?

[captainkirk]

I spliced mine right at the switch on the transmission. the colors were correct., it's a 2005 2wd.
it's turning out to be quite a fiasco.
...
by the way, that black/pink wire STARTS at the switch on the tranny and goes along the frame and directly to the rear.
it is not in the cab.
only the power feed to the switch is in the cab, and it's always hot when the key is ON. book shows it's VT/OG
which matches the feed at my switch.

Sorry to hear you're having even more "fun" than I was, that sounds awful!
Someday when I'm under mine again, I'll have a better look at the wires at my tranny switch to see if I can tell what colors they truly are.

But, if I were to coach anyone reading this thread in the future for advice, I would strongly recommend that when you run the camera wire harness, just add a wire of your own at the same time. Tapping into the Black/Pink right behind the backup light ended up being the easiest solution.

@pjtoledo if it's any consolation - when you do get it working, you'll love it!
One thing my head unit does that even our 2019 vehicle that came with a factory backup camera doesn't do is this:
In reverse, not only does it activate the camera, it also silences the audio. I feel like that's a good safety feature.

So many times, going to back the new vehicle out of the garage, the radio is playing music, and then the prox sensors start blaring (the garage door is a single-wide, so it thinks I'm going to hit something on the left AND the right).

The distraction is enough to make you check your side mirrors to make sure you don't tear them off on the doorway - and bam! you forget to check if anyone's pulling in behind you while you're backing up...kinda defeats the purpose.

 

[pjtoledo]

our 2019 Edge mutes the audio too, it's a great camera system.
I've had my 2005 Ranger since new, currently 373,000+ miles.
it's a considerable part of my retirement therapy, I'm always turning a wrench or trying something different.
as such I seem to gravitate to the more difficult way of doing things.
since the wires at the rear have all been spliced & replaced due to corrosion I decided
to go straight to the switch on the tranny. (one must evenly disperse splices throughout the vehicle)
received a set of weather-pack connectors a couple days ago, I'll crawl under and finish it up soon.
currently still using optional power from the 12v socket, just hit the big button to turn the camera on.

oddly, I find it's much easier to back up the Ranger with mirrors than using the camera.
old habits die hard I guess.

 

[captainkirk]

@pjtoledo - thanks for sharing your 373k miles - that's amazing and gives me hope! Good on ya!

I feel exactly the same about it being easier to back up w/mirrors. I just wanted the camera for
1) Parking lot speeders who arrive right as I'm trying to back up from between two ginormous vehicles
2) Oblivious peskydestrians who don't know what a white light at the tail means
3) Low hazards like posts or children that aren't visible in the rear view mirror