Back up camera goes black
 

I just bought a "new to me" 2011 HHR from a dealer. I asked about getting a back up camera installed and he sent me to an electronics shop that does that. They installed the camera but it keeps going out "black screen". If I just go a short distance it's okay - if I go a longer distance - from the electronics shop to my house - about 9 miles, it gives me the black screen. The electronics guy said he thought it was odd that I"m getting 14 volts but I've been reading that, that is normal to save fuel??? Correct? Is something wrong with my alternator - I thought they were all 12 volts. Can a back up camera be installed on this particular model? I don't want to keep gong back to the electronics shop and would rather have them just take it out and get my money back - I don't have nor want the time to keep going back. Any thoughts, suggestions, etc? Thank you

Welcome!

Since it is not a stock feature on your HHR we really can't give any advice. Did they explain that the screen will only display when the transmission is in reverse (that's a law in most states)?

The alternator output does fluctuate, what about the health of your battery? Doesn't have much to do with fuel saving, a tiny bit maybe.

Each cell in a battery is 2.1 volts. The battery has 6 cells. 6 X 2.1 = 12.6. The alternator puts out enough voltage to run everything on the car plus keep the battery at 12.6V, usually around 14V.

Thanks for clearing up the voltage question. The camera is in the rear view mirror, when I put it in reverse I get a black section where the display would be. Works fine when I go short distances and then reverse.

Then the installation is wrong. It should be black or not there except in reverse. Sounds like he reversed the switch.

Was the mirror part of the kit, or from a wrecking ya... I mean auto parts recycler?

part of the kit

Seems they installed the kit incorrectly, or the kit is defective!

I have an appt to go back to them on Tues.

Well, it's either installer error, or faulty parts. If he's surprised that alternators put out 14 volts, well...

If you bought the kit yourself, and had him install it, you might need to contact the manufacturer(might be a good idea anyway). If he provided the kit and install as a package deal, he needs to fix it. Is there a troubleshooting section in the manual?

They bought the kit and installed it. I didn't even get a manual - had to practically beg for a little pamphlet to find out how to adjust the parking assist lines. The place seemed really knowlegeable from their webpage AND the dealership recommended them but I guess not so much..... If they can't get it right this time I'm going to make them take it out and give me my money back.