Successfully Added LCD backup mirror/camera/wires!

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[grumman]

Modified with great information about adding the factory LCD backup camera in the rearview mirror:

OK...  So I just took delivery of our new 2009 Acadia SLT1 which did not have the backup camera mirror option from the factory.  So, I bought the OEM mirror with the OnStar and LCD display (Gentex GNTX-657).  Got the pinout for the LCD mirror from the dealership and checked out the car.  Turns out that the existing plug/harness (at the mirror) has all the wires in it for the camera/LCD (reverse, Video +, Video -).  Plugged in the new mirror and the OnStar works fine.  (Getting excited that this is going to be easy now...)

So, removed the tailgate trim to check out the harness in the tailgate to look for the camera wires...no luck.  Somewhere in between the mirror and the tailgate, the wires dead end.

So, I contacted the local Best Buy automotive installation shop.  The guy was great and very willing to try to solve the problem.  When testing the mirror alone with a video input and the car in reverse, the LCD would not go on.  So, I called MITO (reseller for Gentex) and pretended that I had questions about the Gentex GNTX-356A, which is the same mirror that is not OEM (that they support/sell).  He told me that on the Acadia, you need to add 12V directly to pin 9 for the reverse signal (when in reverse).

After working on the car for a little while, he found that the camera harness actually ran all the way to just before the hatch.  If you pull out the rubber harness cover/plug where it goes into the roof from the hatch, you'll see an unconnected 3-wire plug.  That's the camera lines (+, -, +Video) Ground is common.

He ran the wires through the hatch to the latch area, wrapping another ground wire around the (-) & (+Video) as a shield.  I then added my own license plate camera (Boyo VTL400) and it all works great!

In the end, I'm not sure if he had to add the 12V for backup, because I think that it came through when we connected the camera up (the camera takes all three inputs).

Anyway - End if the story is that I paid $200 for the GNTX-657 on eBay (GNTX-356A would also have worked), got the camera new from Amazon for $65 and paid Best Buy $60 to run the wires.  It works great, looks OEM and only cost $325 compared to the $700 option from the factory.

[swheelsjr]

i am looking to do the same. what kind of camera did you purchase,and where did you get the wires?

[grumman]

All your answers are listed above.  The camera is a Boyo VTL400 and the wires were already there at the harness connection at the very back of the roof (remove the rubber grommet/sleeve going from the tailgate to the roof and look inside for a 3-wire connector with nothing connected to it.  You just complete the wire run to the license plate area.

[swheelsjr]

well i have 08 sle,and i did not see the module that you were talking about in the roof, could it be in the rear compartment were the jack is< and what color is it? i also would like to know if the onstar dimming mirror has the lcd display, or do i have to purchase another one? if the best buy you went is in ny, please give me the address

[Insti's '08 58U/242/SLT2]

In 2008 the backup camera was only in the NAV system. You will not have the module. You will have to buy a mirror and camera and run it direct.

[swheelsjr]

thanks a lot. i will try it, and let you know how it works.

[clintg]

Do you happen to have the Pin outs for this mirror?

I am trying to retro fit this camera into a 2009 sierra that currently only has wires 8, 11, 12, 14 and 15 connected in the rear view mirror.  From reading other posts, i nead to connect pin 9 to the reverse lights to apply 12 volts when in reverse.  In another post, pin 9 is used to disable the auto-dimming when in reverse, so i am pretty certain pin 9 is correct.

Now i am trying to figure out were the Video+ and Video- wires should connect.

It sounds like you or your best buy installer traced the wires, do you happen to know if they went through any modules, such as the VCIM, or did they run directly to the back of the vehicle?

how did you come to the conclusion that the GNTX-657 is the same mirror that comes with the GEN356A kit?

thank you

[grumman]

The pinout is as follows:
1-4 not used
5 Gray - Automatic Day/Night Mirror Signal
6 Pink - Camera Signal +
7 Light Blue - Camera Signal -
8 Black - Ground
9 BK/WH - Backup Lamp Voltage
10 Not used
11 BK/Dk Green - Keypad Signal
12 BK/Lt Green - Keypad Voltage
13 BK/Yellow - Ignition Voltage
14 BK/Gray - Keypad Green LED Signal
15 Brown/White - Keypad Red LED Signal
16 BK/Red - Low Reference


The wires ran directly to the tailgate.  However they came from theBody Control Module (BCM).

The GEN356A seems to be exactly the same.  I called the guys who market the mirrors and Boyo cameras.  They wanted to sell me the 356A and didn't have specific info on the 657.  But they look identical and use the same plug.  You can't buy the 657; it's OEM only.  I'm positive the 356A is the aftermarket version of the same thing.

[Insti's '08 58U/242/SLT2]

There's a 356A and a 356B, for my 2008 slt2 Mito told me to get the "B"

[clintg]

I called Mito; either of the 50-GENK356A or 50-GENK356B will work.  The difference is:
50-GENK356A - "Plug and Play" - uses a pass through plug, suggested for self install, but uses a plug that is bulky and visible.
50-GENK356B - "Flying Leeds" - uses leads that need to be added to the existing harness, suggest for professional install.

I went to the dealer, and the factory accessory Backup camera cannot even be added because I don’t have the comfort and convenience option (RPO code YE9).  Best I can tell, this convenience package adds extra wires from the
MBEC to the ISRVM.  I am guessing that this will be common with a lot of vehicles that doesn’t have an auto dimming mirror from factory.

Currently, I have five wires in the back of the mirror:
Pin 8 - Ground
Pin 11, 12, 14, 15 - All related to onstar.

For sure, I have to add:
Pin 6 - Camera+ (before 2009 this wire was used for temperature probe)
Pin 7 - Camera- (before 2009 this wire was used for temperature probe)
Pin 9 - Activate camera (this is also used to inhibit auto dim)
Pin 13- +12v switched power

I am not sure if I need to hook up the following:
Pin 5 - Automatic Day/Night Mirror Signal
Pin 16- Automatic Day/Night Mirror Signal (low reference)

Here is the mapping of what pins I think should be connected were:
***** Please correct me if I have made a mistake *****
Pin 5  - Connect to MBEC X10, Pin 7
Pin 6  - Connect to camera
Pin 7  - Connect to camera
Pin 9  - Connect to MBEC X10, Pin 8
Pin 13 - Connect to MBEC X9, Pin 1
Pin 16 - Connect to MBEC X10, Pin 3

I still have question about the camera.  Most cameras are RCA output, and this mirror accepts Video+ and Video-.  Can these two lead simply be converted to an RCA plug?

Gentex seems to be pretty secretive about their install manual that comes with the 50-GENK356A/B kits.  This would be helpful for figuring this out.  If anyone does have it, and wouldn’t mind sending it over, it would be appreciated.

Autostrata also make a kit to add a backup camera as a mirror, and they are nice enough to supply a manual online.  What is strange about their instructions though is they connect a wire to the MBEC connector X12, Pin 7 and X11, Pin 5.  The wiring diagrams I have show these pins as unused on the MBEC.  If anyone knows what these pins are for, please explain.

[grumman]

Yes.  The +/- Video can be simply converted to RCA.  Be sure to wrap a ground wire as a shield around them to eliminate noise.

BTW - My 2009 Acadia did Not have the comfort & Convienience package, but did have the auto-dimming mirror (Acadia SLT-1).

[clintg]

So, do i wrap the ground cable around the composite cable, or just were the cable is converted to two normal wires?  Should i just run the component cable all the way up to the headliner?

Also, do i connect the Video + or Video - to the inside or outside conductor of the RCA cable?

should the camera be powered all the time, or just when in reverse?

Thanks for your help.

[markm75]

Does anyone know if this same mirror will work in a 2010 equinox LT1?

I have found an equinox i wanted to purchase, but it lacks the camera.. wondering if anyone has done the same in it (if it has the wiring already there, mirror the same model)?

Thanks

[rbarrios]

I went and looked at the chevy web page- theres an image if the camera/rearview mirror in the equinox......
then you click on the traverse and you can also find the same camera/mirror in an image there....


Though on the image for the traverses mirror-- it shows a small circle on the mirror surface-- almost in the center...
My 2010 Traverse DOES NOT have that circle.... I think that may be where the sensor lies- that detects vehicles bright lights behind you and dims the mirror...
On mine-- that sensor is located next to the small green light for ONSTAR.. and its located way to the right of the + on the buttons...
the GMC website shows a mirror very similar to the ones above-- though I dont see the sensor..
the dimming feature- may be an optional feature depending on trim level....

[alphadog1]

Anyway - End if the story is that I paid $200 for the GNTX-657 on eBay (GNTX-356A would also have worked), got the camera new from Amazon for $65 and paid Best Buy $60 to run the wires.  It works great, looks OEM and only cost $325 compared to the $700 option from the factory.
 
 

I wish I could locate one of those mirrors for $200!  The lowest I am seeing them is $449 .

[alphadog1]

Just wondering if anyone else with an 09' has had any luck seeing the wire plug inside the rubber boot at the top of the rear hatch that was mentioned?  I pulled mine but saw nothing that I could plug into.  Unless it is tucked way back inside the hole..

[NSA - I'm BatMan]

Just wondering if anyone else with an 09' has had any luck seeing the wire plug inside the rubber boot at the top of the rear hatch that was mentioned?  I pulled mine but saw nothing that I could plug into.  Unless it is tucked way back inside the hole..

Here's a thread that shows what you might be seeking

http://www.acadiaforum.net/forum/index.php?topic=6862.0