Backup camera help.

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Tom Williams

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Hey fellas! I just picked an 18 ram 2500 slt, when I put in reverse it says camera system not available. What does this mean? There is a camera and the wiring. Is there anything I can check?
 

crash68

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Check the plug for the tailgate, it may not be seated all the way. If the truck has power locks the tailgate may not lock either.
The back up camera is on the tailgate handle, you might need to check the plug going to the camera if the tailgate plug is not the problem.
 
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Tom Williams

Tom Williams

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Thank you! I did notice that the tailgate wasn’t locking. Is there a reference or some pics that might help me?
 

crash68

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Open the tailgate and look right in the middle between the bed and tailgate. The plug and wiring is attached to the tailgate.


As a side note, get yourself a 44mm stainless steel gear clamp(hose clamp) and tighten it up around the right side hinge of the tailgate. This will help deter someone from stealing the tailgate until you get the lock working or if you leave the tailgate down.
 
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LouM

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As a side note, get yourself a 44mm stainless steel gear clamp(hose clamp) and tighten it up around the right side hinge of the tailgate. This will help deter someone from stealing the tailgate until you get the lock working or if you leave the tailgate down.

Is this really an issue? Are tailgates getting stolen?
Maybe I'm isolated but I hadn't heard that it was an issue.
 

crash68

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Is this really an issue? Are tailgates getting stolen?
Maybe I'm isolated but I hadn't heard that it was an issue.
There have been a few reported on this forum. The gear clamp is a deterrent to stop a crime of opportunity, and will keep the tailgate from popping out of place if something gets pinched in the hinge. Cheap "insurance" that can be picked up at a hardware store for under a buck.
 

Michael

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There have been a few reported on this forum. The gear clamp is a deterrent to stop a crime of opportunity, and will keep the tailgate from popping out of place if something gets pinched in the hinge. Cheap "insurance" that can be picked up at a hardware store for under a buck.

The tailgate locks with the doors, so how can the tailgate be stolen if it’s locked?


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I know the voices in my head aren’t real, but man, do they ever come up with some great ideas.
 

LouM

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My truck is seldom locked,
the most the locks get used is with the remote start.
Then I have to remember to unlock the danged things.
I have also turned off the auto lock when it's being driven.
 

madtrucker2016

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Thank you! I did notice that the tailgate wasn’t locking. Is there a reference or some pics that might help me?
Their was a recall on the locking tailgate with the Ram trucks , check on that and you might have to pull the cover plate off the tailgate to get at the wire connector for the back up camera might be bad connection with corrosion or not tight.
 

JoeCo

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Is this really an issue? Are tailgates getting stolen?
Maybe I'm isolated but I hadn't heard that it was an issue.

Just depends on where you live. If you live somewhere that people might take something that's worth a lot of money, and really easy to remove, then yes they get stolen. Even when I was a teenager (about 16-17 years ago) one of our local chevy dealers had a bunch of their tailgates stolen off the lot over night. Now they are worth a lot more money and just as easy to steal if left unlocked and it can be done quickly.

I live in a smaller town (about 12k people), but I trust no one so my stuff is on lock down all the time. If you're going to try to steal my stuff you're going to have to go through a lot more effort, most people around here just move on to easier prey. Every once in a while we have car "break ins" but the only cars they "break into" are the unlocked ones, I've never had anyone get into mine because it seems like if it isn't open, they don't want the trouble. Same with home invasions, usually during the summer when people leave windows open. That probably doesn't paint the nicest picture of where I live, these problems aren't regular or at a high rate, but it's just something I try to reduce the risk of it happening to me. Some places I'm sure it doesn't matter if it's locked or unlocked, if they want in they are getting in. People around here are too lazy or scared for the most part it seems.
 

crash68

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The tailgate locks with the doors, so how can the tailgate be stolen if it’s locked?
That provided the tailgate is actually locked or it's not left down after loading/unloading the bed. In the OPs case it wasn't locking.
As I mentioned it also keeps the tailgate from lifting out of place if something gets pinched in between the tailgate and bed. I had this happen, I didn't realize a soft rifle case was in the way, if I didn't have both hands available, my tailgate probably would be scratched and/or dented from hitting the bumper
 
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