Tailgate off -> no camera -> bright blue screen on 8.4" radio display :(

[silverPolarBear]

Good day to you all.

I have a 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman that I am fighting with currently to somehow suppress its radio blue screen when in reverse. During summer months I tow an RV and I just remove my tailgate to make hitching and unhitching easier (gooseneck). I have dealt with this blinding blue light from this radio for a few years now and would really like to do something about this. At night it fills my truck's cabin and makes for hazardous reversing conditions.

Calling 3 local dealerships and 2 of them just puke part numbers or a text book answer "we can't find anything to help you." My dealer where I bought my truck from is really helpful and is attempting to get some sort of resolution. Meanwhile I would love to have all of your help as well.

Options that I explored at this time

Is there any settings that can be turned off? - I didn't see any helpful settings and ones that I have tried do not provide any relief.

Can I buy parts to replicate a back up camera when I have my tailgate off? - I like this option, however 2 dealers don't really know too much and cannot isolate down to a set of part numbers for items I need. I really don't want to end up with a $1000 kit with several cameras when one camera will do. I manged to find 68640161AA but I would also need its bracket and harness. I have trouble finding those. Dealer also tells me they can only search by vin on what came with my vehicle. I would be cool to have a cargo camera to back up my Gooseneck RV

https://parts.allmoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-rear-view-camera-68640161aa

Is there any part that can tell my truck not to show that blue screen? -- I have yet to find that information or a part number.

I thank you all for reading my post. I look forward to some help with this situation and finally put it to bed.

 

[turkeybird56]

Did U plug the applicable items in the parts package that you get when you bought the truck when you remove the tailgate? Just grasping at straws here.
The wire harness cover, not sure of the name or the part number, not remember where mine is or would post.

THIS may be the part number:
19-24 RAM 2500 3500 TAILGATE WIRING CONNECTOR KIT DUMMY PLUG OEM NEW 68415000AA

SEE POST #3.

 

[turkeybird56]

You need to use the Dummy Kit Plug to disable the rear camera screen.



Yes, using the tailgate wiring connector kit dummy plug will disable the rear camera input. This is because the dummy plug connects the bus connectors together, which prevents the camera from functioning.

Effect of the Tailgate Wiring Connector Kit Dummy Plug​

Using the tailgate wiring connector kit dummy plug will indeed disable the rear camera input. This occurs because the dummy plug connects the bus connectors together, which prevents the camera from functioning.

Key Points​

• Dummy Plug Function: The dummy plug is designed to connect the bus connectors.
• Camera Disabling: When the dummy plug is in place, it effectively shuts down the rear camera input.

Implications​

• No Camera Access: Users will not have access to images from the rear camera while the dummy plug is connected.
• Workaround Options: If you need to maintain camera functionality, consider alternative solutions, such as using a relocation kit for the factory tailgate camera.

This information is crucial for anyone looking to modify or remove their tailgate while still wanting to utilize the rear camera features.

 

[silverPolarBear]

Did U plug the applicable items in the parts package that you get when you bought the truck when you remove the tailgate? Just grasping at straws here.
The wire harness cover, not sure of the name or the part number, not remember where mine is or would post.

THIS may be the part number:
19-24 RAM 2500 3500 TAILGATE WIRING CONNECTOR KIT DUMMY PLUG OEM NEW 68415000AA

SEE POST #3.

Yes, that is what is connected at this time with the tailgate detached unfortunately that little block of plastic only protects the connections from water intrusion in any potential oxidation. I checked them and there is nothing except for plastic.

 

[silverPolarBear]

You need to use the Dummy Kit Plug to disable the rear camera screen.



Yes, using the tailgate wiring connector kit dummy plug will disable the rear camera input. This is because the dummy plug connects the bus connectors together, which prevents the camera from functioning.

Effect of the Tailgate Wiring Connector Kit Dummy Plug​

Using the tailgate wiring connector kit dummy plug will indeed disable the rear camera input. This occurs because the dummy plug connects the bus connectors together, which prevents the camera from functioning.

Key Points​

• Dummy Plug Function: The dummy plug is designed to connect the bus connectors.
• Camera Disabling: When the dummy plug is in place, it effectively shuts down the rear camera input.

Implications​

• No Camera Access: Users will not have access to images from the rear camera while the dummy plug is connected.
• Workaround Options: If you need to maintain camera functionality, consider alternative solutions, such as using a relocation kit for the factory tailgate camera.

This information is crucial for anyone looking to modify or remove their tailgate while still wanting to utilize the rear camera features.

No dice. That is what’s been on there for the past two years.

I still get a blue screen either way

 

[silverPolarBear]

I talked to chris at my dealership and they got much farther ahead than I expected. He gave me 4 part numbers for an external camera that MAY work and plug directly into that coax connection on my truck.

68640161AA -- camera
68550632aa -- wiring
68550633aa -- more wiring
68531530aa -- processor module, dunno if needed.

Question is, is this what I need to restore camera functionality without a tailgate and will this truly work? Dealership doesn't know til next week and that is okay. Its better than where I was and looks better where I am going.

Anyone else have thoughts?

 

[RamDiver]

Good day to you all.

I have a 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman that I am fighting with currently to somehow suppress its radio blue screen when in reverse. During summer months I tow an RV and I just remove my tailgate to make hitching and unhitching easier (gooseneck). I have dealt with this blinding blue light from this radio for a few years now and would really like to do something about this. At night it fills my truck's cabin and makes for hazardous reversing conditions.

Calling 3 local dealerships and 2 of them just puke part numbers or a text book answer "we can't find anything to help you." My dealer where I bought my truck from is really helpful and is attempting to get some sort of resolution. Meanwhile I would love to have all of your help as well.

Options that I explored at this time

I thank you all for reading my post. I look forward to some help with this situation and finally put it to bed.

Have you explored all of the Uconnect menus yet? I don't know if the default configuration will include this or not, but AlfaOBD may have a fix.

I configured my AlfaOBD app for 2500 DJ/DR / body computer MY23+ PowerNet and found the following;





I haven't tried this tweak yet, but I was thinking you could change the second item.

Cust.Set.Menu 1-Rear Camera CSM Present to Yes.
This will add the feature to the Customer Set Menu in the Uconnect radio.

This way, you could change it easily, on-the-fly.
After the current heat wave ends, I will try this out on my truck.

.

 

[RamDiver]

I talked to chris at my dealership and they got much farther ahead than I expected. He gave me 4 part numbers for an external camera that MAY work and plug directly into that coax connection on my truck.

68640161AA -- camera
68550632aa -- wiring
68550633aa -- more wiring
68531530aa -- processor module, dunno if needed.

Question is, is this what I need to restore camera functionality without a tailgate and will this truly work? Dealership doesn't know til next week and that is okay. Its better than where I was and looks better where I am going.

Anyone else have thoughts?

If you were interested, you might be able to add a rear-facing camera to the 3rd brake light.

If you really wanted to go to town, you could add a selector switch to change from/to the tailgate camera to/from the 3rd brake light camera.

.

 

[silverPolarBear]

Have you explored all of the Uconnect menus yet? I don't know if the default configuration will include this or not, but AlfaOBD may have a fix.

I configured my AlfaOBD app for 2500 DJ/DR / body computer MY23+ PowerNet and found the following;


View attachment 585452


I haven't tried this tweak yet, but I was thinking you could change the second item.

Cust.Set.Menu 1-Rear Camera CSM Present to Yes.
This will add the feature to the Customer Set Menu in the Uconnect radio.

This way, you could change it easily, on-the-fly.
After the current heat wave ends, I will try this out on my truck.

.

I'm willing to explore this option, but that has its risks as well. I really don't want to modify any software if i can help it. I would much rather prefer to disable the camera with some sort of plug / software recognized circuit or plug in another camera and at least have that usability back.

Now if there was a way to disable that blue screen when camera is connected. Now that I would love to entertain.

 

[silverPolarBear]

If you were interested, you might be able to add a rear-facing camera to the 3rd brake light.

If you really wanted to go to town, you could add a selector switch to change from/to the tailgate camera to/from the 3rd brake light camera.

.

I would like to entertain this option. Do you have part numbers and diagrams with install guides?

 

[RamDiver]

I would like to entertain this option. Do you have part numbers and diagrams with install guides?

It's all in my brain ATM. No part numbers yet.

This project will take research and experimentation.

Tweaking the body control module is very easy, and there's no need to be fearful about it.

A baseline configuration backup would be the failsafe. Along with exercising caution and care.

I will test adding the CSM to my radio when things cool down outside.

.

 

[Wild one]

I would like to entertain this option. Do you have part numbers and diagrams with install guides?

You're using the wrong plug,the plug that came with my truck keeps the radio functioning when the tailgate is off,and for many years my tailgate was off every week-end at the dragstrip. Not sure what the part number is,but a dealer should be able to look it up for you.

 

[RamDiver]

You're using the wrong plug,the plug that came with my truck keeps the radio functioning when the tailgate is off,and for many years my tailgate was off every week-end at the dragstrip. Not sure what the part number is,but a dealer should be able to look it up for you.

That's excellent news, Rick. Thanks.

@silverPolarBear , if you send a PM to Benny at @AllMoparParts.com , he can confirm the correct part number and provide a quote.

Include the VIN for your truck and a few details about this thread for his reference.

.

 

[silverPolarBear]

You're using the wrong plug,the plug that came with my truck keeps the radio functioning when the tailgate is off,and for many years my tailgate was off every week-end at the dragstrip. Not sure what the part number is,but a dealer should be able to look it up for you.

My original post dictates my experience with dealerships at this point in my area. Several part numbers are given with ideally no correct number they can confirm what I truly need. I did however find a website with supposed turn key solutions.

Products

We have a wide selection of backup cameras, front and side cameras, 3rd brake light cameras, and both wired and wireless camera systems for your car or truck

www.camerasource.com

It seems as though this has what I am looking for. But I know it can be done more inexpensively.

Throw money at a problem and it goes away.

 

[silverPolarBear]

That's excellent news, Rick. Thanks.

@silverPolarBear , if you send a PM to Benny at @AllMoparParts.com , he can confirm the correct part number and provide a quote.

Include the VIN for your truck and a few details about this thread for his reference.

.

I will give this a shot.

 

[silverPolarBear]

I will give this a shot.

Email sent.

I had another thought here as well that may make constant changes much easier.

If could locate a 3rd brake light with a camera in it, I could run a coax from that and rerun it to where my truck's tailgate attaches. This way I don't have to keep removing cameras every season. Cameras would already be there and I simply swap connectors.

 

[silverPolarBear]

I talked to a fellow Amateur radio operator (i am one myself) and he pointed me to an alternative measure that may be a better outcome and cheaper. Links are on my bio page as a status.

 

[RamDiver]

I talked to a fellow Amateur radio operator (i am one myself) and he pointed me to an alternative measure that may be a better outcome and cheaper. Links are on my bio page as a status.

Why not add the links to this thread?

The big red flag I see after looking at the camera link was that it was very cheap, not to be confused with inexpensive.

Something I have learned from reading threads and speaking to a buddy about his dash cam adventures, you get what you pay for, especially with cameras.
Cheap is cheap, and not very good video quality.

After reading the 3-star reviews, several reviewers mentioned that the camera image becomes distorted or disappears when the outdoor temperature is high or in direct sunlight.

If you're satisfied with the sub-marginal performance, this product might work well for you.
My OEM backup camera quality isn't too bad, but I wouldn't want lower quality, at any cost.
I admit, I'm particular.

I've found some info on adding a 3rd Brake light (CHMSL) camera. I will add this for future members searching for info. This is an older post; most of the members haven't been seen in years.
Mpgrimm2 is still around and very knowledgeable on wiring. He also makes custom harnesses.

OEM LED CHMSL with Cargo Camera connected to 8.4RA

This weekends project will be to install the OEM LED CHMSL with Cargo Camera to 8.4 RA4 screen. AlfaOBD has been used to enabled "CHMSL Camera" in Car Configuration Change and the screen turns blue when the cargo camera is selected (Ready to receive and display signal). I am going to build my...

www.ramforum.com

.

 

[Grams]

Why can’t you just Select “Vehicle” on the U-connect…then Select “Cameras”…. then select Any other camera than the backup or rear view..? For example, select “Cargo View”….

 

[silverPolarBear]

Why not add the links to this thread?

The big red flag I see after looking at the camera link was that it was very cheap, not to be confused with inexpensive.

Something I have learned from reading threads and speaking to a buddy about his dash cam adventures, you get what you pay for, especially with cameras.
Cheap is cheap, and not very good video quality.

After reading the 3-star reviews, several reviewers mentioned that the camera image becomes distorted or disappears when the outdoor temperature is high or in direct sunlight.

If you're satisfied with the sub-marginal performance, this product might work well for you.
My OEM backup camera quality isn't too bad, but I wouldn't want lower quality, at any cost.
I admit, I'm particular.

I've found some info on adding a 3rd Brake light (CHMSL) camera. I will add this for future members searching for info. This is an older post; most of the members haven't been seen in years.
Mpgrimm2 is still around and very knowledgeable on wiring. He also makes custom harnesses.

OEM LED CHMSL with Cargo Camera connected to 8.4RA

This weekends project will be to install the OEM LED CHMSL with Cargo Camera to 8.4 RA4 screen. AlfaOBD has been used to enabled "CHMSL Camera" in Car Configuration Change and the screen turns blue when the cargo camera is selected (Ready to receive and display signal). I am going to build my...

www.ramforum.com

Let’s see how this turns out. This is also a good start to a better solution.

Remember I’m in NY and vehicles are expendable due to salt eating away at our vehicles. Electronics be damned from salt corrosion. Summer time? Let’s see how that turns out. I’m optimistic.

I will give a report in a few days on how this turns out