2012 Silverado How to access backup camera power wire

[bmartin1984]

I installed a Kenwood stereo a while back.  I was able to find an adapter on line that allowed me to splice into the back up camera video feed wire in the driver's kick panel so I could display the video on both the rear view mirror and the Kenwood.  Not the best picture but easier than running wire to the tailgate.  The Kenwood also has a power and ground wire for a back up camera.  If I could connect it to my OEM camera, I could turn it on whenever I want (like to check on my boat trailer).  Is the power wire for the back up camera accessible in the cab somewhere?  My Chilton's guide wasn't much help.  I am concerned about just splicing into a wire and sending current up and down stream that could damage something.  I do have some of those trailering diodes that allow you to connect two power sources to a single wire so that should prevent and current backing up the back up camera power wire.  I really don't want to run a wire the length of the truck to splice into camera wire in the bundle under the tailgate.  Thanks much.

[2019 Red]

I would like to find out about this also. But I want add an after market monitor to my camera. The mirror monitor is almost useless when it comes to hooking up our travel trailer.

[bmartin1984]

According to my Chilton manual's wiring guide, The backup lamp relay control wire (drk blue) goes from the Body Control Module to the left I/P junction block which is just left of the break pedal.  From there, the wire is split.  One dark blue wire goes to the rear view mirror, one dark blue wire goes to the rear view camera, and one dark blue wire goes to the back up lamp relay in the under hood fuse block.  Since all are on the same circuit, I'd have to cut a blue wire coming out of the junction block and apply power to verify if its the right one going to the camera.  Assuming I get that right, I'd have to use diodes to splice in a power wire from the aftermarket radio and from the BCM to prevent my radio from turning on the rear view mirror and the reverse lights (or burning out more likely).  I do have some 2 input to 1 output diodes used in trailering that would do the job.  Just haven't got brave enough to start cutting wires yet.  I did drop the spare tire so I could get a good look at the wiring harness going into the tailgate.  There is a connector there so you can remove the tailgate if necessary.  I could probably figure out the camera's power wire at this location and run a wire from cab to the connector with a waterproof splice but that would be more work.  Would still need the dual diodes to prevent current from going back to the cab and attempting to energize the rear view mirror and back up lights.  An online company called Camera Source supplied me with a handy adapter that allowed me to splice into the video feed to the rear view mirror in the driver's left kick panel so I could also get video on my radio.  Does ok.  Not high resolution and not so good at night.  They do make an aftermarket high resolution, higher night sensitivity camera that is a direct replacement for the OEM camera.  Plugs right into the existing socket under the tailgate so do not have to run all the way to the cab.  Not cheap but simpler.