2008/2009 Back-up Camera Enabled!

2bShawn · 11-13-2008, 10:31 PM

If there is anyone out there that is thinking of using or has used the "Secret Engineering Menu" to enable your back up camera and was afraid to get the updates from the dealer or have a 2009 model. I have a story for you. I enabled the back-up camera from the Hidden Engineering Menu, purchased the Kenwood back-up camera and installed it! Everything was working great until my visit to the dealership for an oil change. I told them not to do any updates, but they did...by by back-up camera!

Now the good news, the update for the 2008 is the same software as the 2009...after the dealer deleted my back-up camera I went back in to the Engineering Menu (which has a lot more options now) and there are 4 selections under back-up camera. Choose the first selection "SRVC" and you will now have your back-up camera installed again. Also you will now have a "back-up camera options" field in your system to disable the camera for any reason without playing around with secret menus.

PolePosition · 11-13-2008, 10:38 PM

Awesome news!

I have it installed and was worried that when I would take it in for service that it would be disabled with a software update.

Thanks for sharing.

Oh Cool · 11-13-2008, 10:55 PM

Does enabling the backup camera from the engineering menu make installing a backup camera a plug & play? Seems too simple for some reason. I seem to remember some sort of a Backup Camera Enable kit being available from Mid City Engineering.

2bShawn · 11-13-2008, 11:12 PM

Actually...I hate to say it cause the guys at Mid City are very cool and I hate to step on their business, but it is plug & play! Mid City does sell a part that is needed the RCA to FAKRA cable ($21+shipping). You don't need the kit unless you want VIM as well.

PolePosition · 11-13-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh Cool

Does enabling the backup camera from the engineering menu make installing a backup camera a plug & play? Seems too simple for some reason.

It does and it is!

Take a look at this thread.

http://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=266988

Oh Cool · 11-13-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bShawn

part that is needed the RCA to FAKRA cable ($21+shipping). You don't need the kit unless you want VIM as well.

So to install the Backup camera the only extra thing you would need is only the RCA to FAKRA cable?

PolePosition · 11-13-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh Cool

So to install the Backup camera the only extra thing you would need is only the RCA to FAKRA cable?

Backup Camera
Fakra to RCA connector ( Ask for TJ @ Midcity )
12 ft RCA cable

Ron Jr · 11-13-2008, 11:37 PM

Installing mine this weekend weather permiting. Camera came in on Tuesday and I picked up the FAKRA cable at a local car stereo place. Just have to pick up an RCA jack at Radio Shack.

delirium · 11-13-2008, 11:49 PM

would it be possible & maybe easier to install the MB factory backup camera?

joshg1001 · 11-13-2008, 11:50 PM

^^ i want to know this too. im guessing eventually, the backup camera wll become a factory option for the W204, and at that time, i might attempt to buy that camera

white46 · 11-14-2008, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delirium

would it be possible & maybe easier to install the MB factory backup camera?

MB factory backup camera is not avaliable at this point.

inamoto5 · 11-14-2008, 04:49 AM

does the kenwood kit work on a non-mm car?

lx Raven xl · 11-14-2008, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by white46

MB factory backup camera is not avaliable at this point.

There are different stories about it. The dealer I spoke to said that you can order the backup camera when you purchase the car. It has to come factory fitted. Also they do not sell the camera as an accessory (Europe). I will get it done myself once I get the time and the camera.

rob13572468 · 11-14-2008, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lx Raven xl

There are different stories about it. The dealer I spoke to said that you can order the backup camera when you purchase the car. It has to come factory fitted. Also they do not sell the camera as an accessory (Europe). I will get it done myself once I get the time and the camera.

The factory camera parts can be ordered from germany using the GLK as the base model (because the GLK command is the same as the C but with stationary monitor). ordering factory camera parts will cost you roughly $800.

rob13572468 · 11-14-2008, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bShawn

Actually...I hate to say it cause the guys at Mid City are very cool and I hate to step on their business, but it is plug & play! Mid City does sell a part that is needed the RCA to FAKRA cable ($21+shipping). You don't need the kit unless you want VIM as well.

If you can get into the engineering menu then right now you can do the backup cam without using our module. the engineering menu was supposed to be read-only and mitsubishi goofed up and left it fully enabled on their version ( alpine also made W204 command radios early on but they do not have the engineering menu option). The difference between our using our module and not is that with the module you get VIM capability on both DVD and aux video and the navi data/address entry is unlocked at any speed.

In the meantime if you dont need the other features then its a pretty cool way to have the camera function on a budget and I'll be happy to sell just the adapter if anyone needs it. The only thing to remember is that MB is disabling the menu going forward and any update past #259 will have it removed so be sure to let the service writer know that you dont want them to run updates... The only issues I can see with this is that there are a number of sirius updates that are due over the next few months that require the entire telematics system be updates (e.g. everything gets updated at once) so you might not have much of a choice if you listen to sirius.

rob13572468 · 11-14-2008, 07:12 AM

One more thing...

Be *very* careful with any other changes you make in the engineering menu: some of the settings have hard limit to the number of changes you can make and how many times you can change them. I have had three cases in the past month alone where I have gotten calls from people who have unintentionally locked their command to a particular setting and cannot change it back. In these cases even the dealer cannot change the settings: the radio has to go back to the manufacturer for reprogramming.

(I have one guy that is stuck playing only region 3 DVD's on his 2 week old C and all MB will do is sell him a new command.

)

so please be careful guys if you decide to go play with any of the other settings...

fitzgeraldo88 · 12-25-2008, 12:54 AM

GLK parts bin is the way to go.

lent53 · 12-25-2008, 02:43 AM

why isn't it available? it seems like every car under the sun has that and a push-button start yet mb is hanging behind. Kind of ridiculous to be honest.

medlines · 12-27-2008, 04:52 AM

To the Guys how installed their Backup camera, please can you advise if the FAKRA connector is " Female or Male " and if it is the bigger connector or a smaller connector in Diammeter I mean ?
Thanks

rb23lb · 01-06-2009, 06:49 PM

can anybody provide a link to purchasing the fakra connector online?

also, if you have the dealer do the free bluetooth fix by updating command to version 46/07, will it permanently disable the ability to use the backup cam???

if it becomes disabled, is there anyway midcity engineering can fix this???

also, is midcity ever going to drop the price on the VIM module???

thanks,

rb

joshg1001 · 01-06-2009, 09:40 PM

i cant find the backup camera option on my 2009 nav when i enter the engineering menu...anybody have step by step directions within the menus?

aprince2die4 · 01-06-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshg1001

i cant find the backup camera option on my 2009 nav when i enter the engineering menu...anybody have step by step directions within the menus?

im also tryin to find out exactly where in the menu this option is located....i dont want to go around clicking on everything...someone had posted you can only make so many hard changes to the unit before it gets locked...my luck i'll prolly jack it up...

2bShawn · 01-06-2009, 11:03 PM

No the dealer updates will NOT permanently disable the menu, if you have a 2008 the menu options will change to the same options the folks with a 2009 have. This menu options are almost the same, only difference in the "unlock" directions are as follows: under the last direction "sub menu 7, HU parameter" you won't see the menu "enable backup camera". Instead you will see 3 choices, (sorry I don't remember the names) just choose the first selection. Turn off the car, take the key out of the ignition for 5 min and your camera will work.

At center command, press and hold 3 buttons, " hang up , 1 and #. You will see Eng menu in LCD. Go to (option 7, sub menu 7) HU parameter and enable backup camera install.

Hope that helps

milrshah · Today, 01:44 PM

Hi,
Does anyone know of a dealer/installer in the Dallas area that knows how to retrofit a rearview camera into an ML350 (08)? Thanks so much for your help. YOu can email me directly at milind_shah@Hotmail.com if you do.

Mil.

11-13-2008, 10:31 PM	#1
2bShawn Almost a Member! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix-AZ Posts: 37	2008/2009 Back-up Camera Enabled! If there is anyone out there that is thinking of using or has used the "Secret Engineering Menu" to enable your back up camera and was afraid to get the updates from the dealer or have a 2009 model. I have a story for you. I enabled the back-up camera from the Hidden Engineering Menu, purchased the Kenwood back-up camera and installed it! Everything was working great until my visit to the dealership for an oil change. I told them not to do any updates, but they did...by by back-up camera! Now the good news, the update for the 2008 is the same software as the 2009...after the dealer deleted my back-up camera I went back in to the Engineering Menu (which has a lot more options now) and there are 4 selections under back-up camera. Choose the first selection "SRVC" and you will now have your back-up camera installed again. Also you will now have a "back-up camera options" field in your system to disable the camera for any reason without playing around with secret menus. __________________ Shawn - 2008 Arctic White C350 Sport, Blk Leather, Panorama roof, Multi-Media, P2, iPod integration kit, Tel Aid, De-badged trunk & side chrome, H&R Sport Springs (5mm rear spring pads), 360 Forged Split Seven 19x8.5f 19x9.5r, Nitto Envo 245/35/19f, 275/30/19r (w/OEM TPMS), Back-up camera, Brabus door pins, Avante Garde C63 shifter, clear side markers, Black calipers, clear-bra, 18% tint all-around coming: ???

11-13-2008, 10:55 PM	#3
Oh Cool Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 135	Does enabling the backup camera from the engineering menu make installing a backup camera a plug & play? Seems too simple for some reason. I seem to remember some sort of a Backup Camera Enable kit being available from Mid City Engineering. __________________ Delivered 1/9/2008 C 350 Sport, Blk, Blk Leather, P2, MM, Pano Roof, AMG 18" wheels, Quikpark, 40% tint, etc.

11-13-2008, 11:12 PM	#4
2bShawn Almost a Member! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix-AZ Posts: 37	Actually...I hate to say it cause the guys at Mid City are very cool and I hate to step on their business, but it is plug & play! Mid City does sell a part that is needed the RCA to FAKRA cable ($21+shipping). You don't need the kit unless you want VIM as well. __________________ Shawn - 2008 Arctic White C350 Sport, Blk Leather, Panorama roof, Multi-Media, P2, iPod integration kit, Tel Aid, De-badged trunk & side chrome, H&R Sport Springs (5mm rear spring pads), 360 Forged Split Seven 19x8.5f 19x9.5r, Nitto Envo 245/35/19f, 275/30/19r (w/OEM TPMS), Back-up camera, Brabus door pins, Avante Garde C63 shifter, clear side markers, Black calipers, clear-bra, 18% tint all-around coming: ???

11-13-2008, 11:37 PM	#8
Ron Jr Super Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lindenhurst, New York Posts: 928	Installing mine this weekend weather permiting. Camera came in on Tuesday and I picked up the FAKRA cable at a local car stereo place. Just have to pick up an RCA jack at Radio Shack. __________________ ` "A Brabus Maybach," he said, as she turned her head in time to see him give the wheel a little pat. "The firm of Brabus extensively tweaks the product of Maybach, to produce one of these." "Darth my ride?" From chapter 17 of Spook Country by William Gibson

11-14-2008, 07:12 AM	#16
rob13572468 SPONSOR Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 296	One more thing... Be very careful with any other changes you make in the engineering menu: some of the settings have hard limit to the number of changes you can make and how many times you can change them. I have had three cases in the past month alone where I have gotten calls from people who have unintentionally locked their command to a particular setting and cannot change it back. In these cases even the dealer cannot change the settings: the radio has to go back to the manufacturer for reprogramming. (I have one guy that is stuck playing only region 3 DVD's on his 2 week old C and all MB will do is sell him a new command. ) so please be careful guys if you decide to go play with any of the other settings... __________________ www.midcityengineering.com sales@midcityengineering.com

11-13-2008, 10:38 PM	#2
PolePosition Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Philadelphia, PA - Rotterdam, The Netherlands Posts: 186	Awesome news! I have it installed and was worried that when I would take it in for service that it would be disabled with a software update. Thanks for sharing. __________________

11-13-2008, 11:49 PM	#9
delirium Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County, Ca Posts: 251	would it be possible & maybe easier to install the MB factory backup camera?

11-13-2008, 11:50 PM	#10
joshg1001 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 205	^^ i want to know this too. im guessing eventually, the backup camera wll become a factory option for the W204, and at that time, i might attempt to buy that camera

11-14-2008, 04:49 AM	#12
inamoto5 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 14	does the kenwood kit work on a non-mm car?

12-25-2008, 12:54 AM	#17
fitzgeraldo88 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	GLK parts bin is the way to go.

12-25-2008, 02:43 AM	#18
lent53 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	why isn't it available? it seems like every car under the sun has that and a push-button start yet mb is hanging behind. Kind of ridiculous to be honest.

12-27-2008, 04:52 AM	#19
medlines Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6	To the Guys how installed their Backup camera, please can you advise if the FAKRA connector is " Female or Male " and if it is the bigger connector or a smaller connector in Diammeter I mean ? Thanks

01-06-2009, 06:49 PM	#20
rb23lb Super Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 810	can anybody provide a link to purchasing the fakra connector online? also, if you have the dealer do the free bluetooth fix by updating command to version 46/07, will it permanently disable the ability to use the backup cam??? if it becomes disabled, is there anyway midcity engineering can fix this??? also, is midcity ever going to drop the price on the VIM module??? thanks, rb __________________ 08' c350 Fully loaded, AMG IV Wheels - Arctic White/Black Interior Mods: C63 Grill, Carbon Fiber Door Pins, Clear Front Bumper Lenses, Limo Tint Rear and Back, Medium Tint Front Additions: Black Roof Spoiler, OEM Chrome Door Handle Inserts, OEM All Weather Floor Mats, OEM "Non-Slip" Trunk Mat, OEM Mercedes Collapsible Storage Crate, OEM c350 Sport Car Cover, OEM Windshield Shade

01-06-2009, 09:40 PM	#21
joshg1001 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 205	i cant find the backup camera option on my 2009 nav when i enter the engineering menu...anybody have step by step directions within the menus?

01-06-2009, 11:03 PM	#23
2bShawn Almost a Member! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Phoenix-AZ Posts: 37	No the dealer updates will NOT permanently disable the menu, if you have a 2008 the menu options will change to the same options the folks with a 2009 have. This menu options are almost the same, only difference in the "unlock" directions are as follows: under the last direction "sub menu 7, HU parameter" you won't see the menu "enable backup camera". Instead you will see 3 choices, (sorry I don't remember the names) just choose the first selection. Turn off the car, take the key out of the ignition for 5 min and your camera will work. At center command, press and hold 3 buttons, " hang up , 1 and #. You will see Eng menu in LCD. Go to (option 7, sub menu 7) HU parameter and enable backup camera install. Hope that helps __________________ Shawn - 2008 Arctic White C350 Sport, Blk Leather, Panorama roof, Multi-Media, P2, iPod integration kit, Tel Aid, De-badged trunk & side chrome, H&R Sport Springs (5mm rear spring pads), 360 Forged Split Seven 19x8.5f 19x9.5r, Nitto Envo 245/35/19f, 275/30/19r (w/OEM TPMS), Back-up camera, Brabus door pins, Avante Garde C63 shifter, clear side markers, Black calipers, clear-bra, 18% tint all-around coming: ???

Today, 01:44 PM	#24
milrshah Newbie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	Rearview camera install 08 ML350 Hi, Does anyone know of a dealer/installer in the Dallas area that knows how to retrofit a rearview camera into an ML350 (08)? Thanks so much for your help. YOu can email me directly at milind_shah@Hotmail.com if you do. Mil.

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