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Backup Camera Display - glitching / wonky

16K views 21 replies 6 participants last post by  MSCA 
#1 ·
So I've had my 2014 Jeep GC Limited for about 5 months now, with about 7000 miles. Over the past few weeks, my backup camera has been glitching out. The picture gets dark (not just night mode; if I turn on my Jeep's headlights, the picture gets even darker) and has screen tearing.

Here's a picture of what my display looks like.

It's intermittent; however over the past few weeks it's been happening more and more often. It's also been getting worse. In the picture above, it's only on the bottom. Now it's most of the screen image.

I need to call and set up a service appointment at a dealer for sure, but I wanted to know if anyone else has had a similar issue that I have (I've read other threads about the backup camera, but not this specifically). In addition, there's always been some visual tearing even from day 1, but I figured that was just how the backup camera looked - almost like it was just vsync turned off on a video game.

I do have one question though - I purchased this vehicle in the DC group buy, but that dealership isn't particularly easily accessible (about a 1 hour drive). Can I take it to the local dealership for this service (which I presume will be taken care of under warranty, since the Jeep is only 5 months old with 7k-ish miles?)
 
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#2 ·
Easy things first. Make sure you have the most current version of the software installed or re-install it. Might not fix the problem but may save a trip to the dealer if it does.

You can take it to any Jeep dealer and get warranty work done.
 
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#6 ·
If you update to premium membership, you can get access to downloads right here from the forum, along with the change lists.

WK2Jeeps
Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - 2011-2016 Grand Cherokee Service Bulletins and Recalls
has change lists in the TSBs for Uconnect, but I don't see one for the 14.32.2 yet, however that would not install on your system anyway.

See http://www.wk2jeeps.com/tsb/tsb_wk2_0803614a.pdf

As for the install instructions, you can download them from https://rsur.extra.chrysler.com/rsur/Uconnect.do

The install is quite simple, and contrary to what the official instructions say, you can do it with the engine running.

You'll need a 4 Gb flash USB, formatted FAT-16 [standard on most any you can buy]

It should have zero files on it.

Download the software, cuss out the download manager if you get it from UConnect site, save it on your computer. Make sure to select Mac or PC.

Extract it [run the exe, it is self extracting] and that will create a swdl.iso image which is what you put on the USB key. Make sure it is the ONLY file on the key.

Instructions say take foot off brake and go to run. Not necessary, particularly if you want A/C or heat. Just leave the engine running, stick the usb key into the slot below UConnect, and let it run. Takes about 40 minutes if memory serves.

It will then reset the Uconnect, read that same key again, tell you that you are on 14.25.5 and ask if you want to upgrade to 14.25.5. Tell it no, and you are done.

Oh, and if you do have to take it to the dealer, go to apps/settings and check your version afterwards. Some dealers stay current on UConnect versions, others not so much and they have been known to install a lower level version due to reading and comprehension issues where your version is higher and they don't read the upgrade prompt.

More detail at Uconnect...
 
#7 · (Edited)
Sweet, thank you for taking the time to explain the process and how to obtain the files! I didn't know that premium had that too; definitely will need to check it out.

Edit: Holy moly, you were NOT kidding about the uConnect downloader, if you'd even call it that. That may be the worst software download experience I've ever had. It is an installer for a control panel application that gives no option to actually download the software itself, or allow you to change where to store the download (clicking only brings up an explorer but it wouldn't let me select), and it runs in the background as well? Geesh!
 
#9 · (Edited)
Wasn't working for me. I went the better route - I became a jeep garage supporter! Now I'm off to find the download/changelog :)

Edit: Found the changelog and download in the VIP area. Got the software file, and will be putting it onto a FAT32 1GB usb stick I have. Question though: is there any risk of me not being able to drive the vehicle, if the update for some reason were to fail?
 
#10 ·
I've never had issues with an install but there should be no drivability issues. Just restart the install. Be patient it may look like it's stalled but it will finish. Follow the directions. It's easier than it first looks.
 
#11 ·
Done! Now at 14.25.5. You're right; it was straight forward and easy, just following the instructions. Took about 10 minutes total for the install.

Put it into reverse as a quick check, and the camera behaved. So... 1/1 post install. It was getting to the point where it was almost always glitched, so that's a good sign that it wasn't. Guess now it's just wait and see if it does it anymore, and if so, off to the dealer!
 
#12 ·
Just a quick update for those who may have a similar problem and come here looking. Camera still looked fine this morning, so it's been Good 2 out of 2 times since the upgrade. I'll post again in a while if things are still good, or right away if I have the problem again.
 
#18 ·
Dealer confirmed that the backup camera is 'definitely defective and needs to be replaced'. Now I'm waiting for the part to come in. Hopefully that will resolve the issue for good.

Another question I have though - at what point and how do the lines get added to the image? I ask because the lines are also screwy, indicating that the malfunction is happening after the lines are 'applied' to the image. And obviously those lines get input from steering. Does that information get sent back to the camera for processing?
 
#19 · (Edited)
Ok, so just to followup in case anyone else with a similar issue comes searching the forums -

Dropped the Jeep off at the dealer. They told me the camera was defective and needed to be replaced. They ordered part number 68137943-AG.

Picked up the Jeep yesterday, and so far so good. It now makes 6 times that it has worked as expected with no glitching. I'm assuming they did a test on the camera to determine that it was faulty, but I do not know for sure.

Thanks again for all the responses. I'm glad to be on the newest software regardless (I had also had the flickering occasionally so I may have fixed that by installing the new patch, before getting the defective camera replaced anyway!)

EDIT: It seems I keep jinxing myself by posting here. Shortly after I posted this, I left from work and sure enough the camera was glitchy again. So apparently the camera unit was not the problem. Time to set up another appointment with the dealer.
 
#20 ·
Ok, final post, just in case anyone else comes searching with an identical problem here later.

I took my Jeep back to the dealer. They had it for three days, and even though I had it glitch 3 times in 3 days including the drive over to the dealer, they couldn't reproduce the issue. Not super surprising since it was intermittent. The dealer told me they checked for shorts, checked the wires, etc, and everything looked fine. After the three days I picked it up with the intent that I would continue documenting the issue as it occurred.

However, since picking up the Jeep the second time, it has not occurred again. It has now been two weeks that I have had the Jeep back. I'm not sure what factors contributed, and one suspicion is the heat (the summer heat broke while it was at the dealer, and hasn't been 'hot' again since I got it back), but my main thought is that there was a loose connection of one of the wires, and the first time I took it in they didn't pull the wires on the head unit side. And most likely, by disconnecting the wires to check and then reconnecting them, they 'fixed while checking.'

Only time will tell now, and if the heat had anything to do with it, I won't see it again until next year.
 
#22 ·
I have no problems with my back-up camera (thankfully!), but I can't believe how shitty the display looks whenever the camera lens isn't 100% clean. Even a light rain will muck up the camera lens to the point that it will look horrible on the display, especially at night. And I'm not talking about water drops on the lens, but rather the dried water spots afterwards that are causing the horrible picture. No other vehicle I have ever owned has had a rear camera design that was so incredibly susceptible to dirt and/or dried water. It's really incredible, as this is something that they should easily get right in this day and age. I can't image how bad it will be during the winter with salted roads and all....
 
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