Rear Trailer Camera-No picture

[2020ChevSilverado]

We bought the Rear Trailer Camera (84876819) for our 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. We want to make sure that the camera works prior to mounting it on the trailer. We connected the trailer to the truck, plugged in the camera, selected the Rear Trailer View on the display, but the view is black, there is no picture. We didn't calibrate it like it says in the instructions since it wasn't mounted. Do we need to do this or is there possibly something wrong with the camera or the connection to the truck? 

[redwngr]

You connected trailer -- did this include plugging in the trailer 7 way plug? (this is what activates the camera connections)

 

Did you try the instructions on sheet 7 for how to 'test the view of the camera'?

 

 

Edited November 14, 2020 by redwngr

[2020ChevSilverado]

Yes, we did plug in the 7way plug for the trailer that is already in the trailer profile. On the instruction sheet on page 7, we did not calibrate the camera because the camera was not attached to the trailer yet. We were hoping to be able to ensure that the camera and the plug worked prior to installation.  When we selected the rear view camera, the screen went black although inside the eye of the camera you could see the eye rotating. 

 

Maybe we need to do go ahead and mount it and calibrate it. We were just hoping to verify that it works first. 

[redwngr]

The way I read it, the ' Test the view of the Camera' instructions it is possible to do what you are wanting, and test the camera view without mounting or calibrating.

 

 

I've only had mine a couple of days and haven't tried it yet to verify that those instructions work. 

 I intend to do the same thing as you, and test before going to the work of installing harness and camera. 

 

Did you also try it on the 'inside trailer' connection?

I guess I'm assuming that the same camera type can be installed for either job. 

Edited November 15, 2020 by redwngr

[redwngr]

On 11/14/2020 at 6:47 PM, 2020ChevSilverado said:

Yes, we did plug in the 7way plug for the trailer that is already in the trailer profile. On the instruction sheet on page 7, we did not calibrate the camera because the camera was not attached to the trailer yet. We were hoping to be able to ensure that the camera and the plug worked prior to installation.  When we selected the rear view camera, the screen went black although inside the eye of the camera you could see the eye rotating. 

 

Maybe we need to do go ahead and mount it and calibrate it. We were just hoping to verify that it works first. 

Did you get it working? 

 

 

For others that may be interested.

 

You can easily 'test' the camera without installing.  

 

I created a trailer profile.  Just entered a name and basic info. You may be able to use the 'guest' trailer entry -- but I didn't try it.

 

Connected trailer plug to truck. 

I did NOT connect the truck to the trailer.

The alignment key on the truck plug is at the top -- where it's hard to see -- it is possible to push the plug part way in with the notch/key not correctly aligned.  Naturally it goes in further, and much easier, with it correctly aligned. Incorrectly pushed in lights won't work and 'check trailer wiring' message is likely to pop up.

 

Selected the named trailer from the list -- or create a name if that wasn't already done.

Verified that the trailer lights are working.  Used the trailer lighting test feature that cycles through the blinker/4way etc to eliminate a lot of walking and to not need a helper.  (they should have added light test feature years ago...)

Camera will NOT function unless the trailer plug is installed so the trailer lights are working.  Seems the software doesn't turn on the camera module unless trailer lights working.

 

Unwrap enough cord from the camera so that it can be plugged in without fear of the camera lens getting damaged.   

Plug in camera.  Use the 'rear of trailer' connection

 

In the trailer app press the cameras button.

Will be able to use the choices button to select the camera only, or the camera in combo with the mirror camera. 

On mine this button was on the bottom LHS of the screen.

 Repeated pushes of the button will scroll thru the mirror / rear camera combos.

 

 

[Aircraft800]

I see this post is quite old, but it may help me.

 

I have the trailer camera installed on my RV. It worked great on my 2023 GMC Denali. I had transparent trailer, backup lines with guidence, blind spot, everything worked as advertised. 

 

I purchased a new truck, 2025 GMC Denali 2500HD. I synced my GMC account and my Trailer Profile with the GMC app. Selected my trailer profile in the truck, plugged in the 7 pin and my Trailer Camera, and selected the camera and I have a Black Screen. When I check the profile, it seems like the camera is connected (It’s selectable) but only a black screen. I rechecked all the different trailering options and making sure they all copied over from the other truck and trailer profile, I’m still getting a black picture, and the hourglass in the top left corner. 

 

I tried switching the camera to the interior trailer cam jack, and it recognizes it’s been plugged in, but it has a black picture.

 

Hoping someone can help me troubleshoot this, I really use it to back into RV spots and into my storage.

Edited December 20, 2024 by Aircraft800

[redwngr]

11 hours ago, Aircraft800 said:

I see this post is quite old, but it may help me.

 

I have the trailer camera installed on my RV. It worked great on my 2023 GMC Denali. I had transparent trailer, backup lines with guidence, blind spot, everything worked as advertised. 

 

I purchased a new truck, 2025 GMC Denali 2500HD. I synced my GMC account and my Trailer Profile with the GMC app. Selected my trailer profile in the truck, plugged in the 7 pin and my Trailer Camera, and selected the camera and I have a Black Screen. When I check the profile, it seems like the camera is connected (It’s selectable) but only a black screen. I rechecked all the different trailering options and making sure they all copied over from the other truck and trailer profile, I’m still getting a black picture, and the hourglass in the top left corner. 

 

I tried switching the camera to the interior trailer cam jack, and it recognizes it’s been plugged in, but it has a black picture.

 

Hoping someone can help me troubleshoot this, I really use it to back into RV spots and into my storage.

I'm gonna assume both your trucks were 2500's -- so one with the refreshed interior and electrical system and one with the 'old' system.

(for 1500's, the '23's had the new electrical system)

 

Did you get a new camera for the 2025, or are you using the one from the '23?

 

One 1500's, the pre-refresh cameras will not work on the new electrical system, so HD's likely have the same issue.

 

Good news is that the new cameras are reported to be clearer.

At 

Edited December 21, 2024 by redwngr

[EddDe]

On 11/14/2020 at 10:41 AM, 2020ChevSilverado said:

We bought the Rear Trailer Camera (84876819) for our 2020 Chevrolet Silverado. We want to make sure that the camera works prior to mounting it on the trailer. We connected the trailer to the truck, plugged in the camera, selected the Rear Trailer View on the display, but the view is black, there is no picture. We didn't calibrate it like it says in the instructions since it wasn't mounted. Do we need to do this or is there possibly something wrong with the camera or the connection to the truck? 

You may need software update from dealership. TSB 23-NA-053 Radio Software Version U168 Update.

I had blank screen on my 2020 Silverado 1500 until this was installed. Check out this post with link to TSB:

 

 

[Aircraft800]

Thanks REDWNGR,

 

Yes, I found the problem with your help. My 2023 was a GMC Denali 1500 (New Interior), my new truck is the 2025 2500 HD Denali, I see that the part numbers changed for the auxiliary camera and they are not compatible. I also found that I can simply swap out the camera, and not have to re run the entire wire harness, it’s just a matter of purchasing the $95 camera and opening up the existing with a security torx. I’ll update after I do the camera swap.

 

[Kevin0311]

swapping camera does fix it, had 23 1500 got 24 1500 and had to swap camera works fine now i can confirm. 

[Aircraft800]

On 12/26/2024 at 5:32 PM, Kevin0311 said:

swapping camera does fix it, had 23 1500 got 24 1500 and had to swap camera works fine now i can confirm. 

I’ve got the camera swapped out, now I’m working on getting it to calibrate. I placed the camera at the same angle I had the last one, I can just see the top of my bumper, but it won’t calibrate. I went back and looked at the setup guide and it appears I measured the 35 deg from vertical, not 35 deg from horizontal. I didn’t have any issue with the old setup, but maybe fixing this will help. 

[Kevin0311]

Can't help you with the calibration, my original one took forever where i live to get calibrated this one i didn't even bother as i use manually for seeing behind me traveling and backing up only not worried about the transparent view i keep full screen on that camera only.  it stays on until using directional.  My camera on enclosed car trailer i mounted to the top/roof and don't see the trailer when ramp up

Edited February 1, 2025 by Kevin0311

[Aircraft800]

Thanks again for the help!!

 

I got it all worked out. Someone mentioned the 118 inch height bug, I reset it to 117 inch and changed the angle of my camera to 35 Deg from horizontal (Not from the wall which I accidentally did) and it calibrated in 200 yards!

 

[Mnspeed193]

Thanks for the post. What is the part number of the new camera? I had a 2020 GMC 3500 it worked in and now have a 2024.

Thank you.

Ken Jaeck

[Kevin0311]

85573256

 

this is for my 2024 1500 not sure if your application is the same