Hi folks, I was looking at a backup camera at PEp Boys. But I'm wondering where to get 12 volts? Can that be gotten at the switch for the lift gate? Or do I have to get it from the backup lights? Thanks in advance..Bill

 

Can't you just get it from the battery that's by the spare tire?

 

Thanks for the idea, but the camera mounts on the license bracket. The best place would be from the switch, but I haven't got the service manual yet...Bill

 

What about the rear wiper motor?

 

Think about it, the wiper is only powered when the switch is on, on the column. DUHHHH!!!

 

Well, from what i can see, and from my experiences with wiring, you have five choices if you don't want to completely rewire for one wire. The wiper as mentioned, the Lift gate, the Licenses plate light, the third brake light or the rear window defroster, other than that you will have to go into the harness for the Lift gate and run the wire anywhere your heart desires. I'd suggest you open it up, find a hot wire and go from there. Remember GM uses ground as open and close on a lot of their electrical circuits anymore. There may be more hot(+) wires in there than you think, but without the wiring diagram, it's hard to tell other than physically checking, with a test light.

 

Sounds like you need to let a professional install this thing, anyone thinking of using liftgate,third light,license plate, wiper motor, certainly should not be doing this...
All of the above mentioned curcuits are on, and off, according to what you do in the veh. You need something that is powered and activated at a specific time and then off. Not when you brake, turn on your wipers, have your lights on etc,.
When "YOU" hook this camera up yourself, don`t go to the dealer and say you don`t know what`s wrong.....

 

If you want the camera for help backing up, then you need to connect it to ...and here comes the genius statement of the day...the reverse lights! DUHHHH! You want it on when you are in reverse and off when you are moving forward. Simple enough. Ans I am only saying this in such a smart a$$ way since you responded that way to Chitown. If you ask for help, dont then berate the ppl trying to help you. Whether or not they are right is inmaterial. If you were so smart then you wouldnt need help. And we ALL need help from time to time. Anyway...off my rant. Just hook it to you reverse lights like every other back up camera is. Unless you want it constantly on, for which there is no logical reason for.

 

The rear wiper usually has two hot inputs, the voltage from the switch AND a +12V input. The +12V is usually always hot in run and accessory mode. It's used to park the wiper in the proper position. Otherwise the wiper would stop at the point you shut the switch off at.

Steve

 

Thank you, that was the information I was looking for in the first place.