Kenwood HU rear view camera intermittent issue.

I installed a Kenwood Excelon DMX906S HU in my 2014 Tundra in February of this year.
No issues or problems until a few weeks ago.

My rear view camera seems to work intermittently.
It ALWAYS works on start up, but I've found when I get to where I'm going, put it in reverse, and no picture.
The camera engages on the screen, but here is no picture, just a dark screen yet still the warning text on it.

Yesterday I was testing it and it seems sometimes when I hit the cam button (on startup) it stays on for about 30 seconds and goes blank.
I pulled the rear connection apart and cleaned it with contact cleaner.
I took it apart to install my pop lock in the tailgate last year.
But that didn't fix it.

I don't use the Kenwood HU parking lines, since the stock camera has them, but I turned them on while testing it.
When the screen is blank, the HU parking lines can still be seen.
SO I'm figuring the problem isn't with the HU, but the signal from the camera.

Anyone else have/had this problem?

 

Gonna bump this.
It was working for awhile but started not working again.

It ALWAYS works fine when I start the truck.
Then it is hit and miss when I get to where I'm going.
Since my employer etched it into my mind for the last 34 years, I always back into parking spots..

Going to pull the HU today and make sure those connections are good.
Maybe take the tailgate panel off and check those too..

Anyone else have this issue?

 

Sorry to hear this.. I know you had issues with your Pioneer, too. Just bad luck.

did you use a maestro rr? If so, it might be linked to that

 

This issue is really frustrating me.
There are some days it works fine all day, others it won't.
Days it doesn't work is when I really need it.

For instance yesterday, I saw there was a fire hydrant behind the space when I pulled up, but camera didn't work when I started backing in, had to stop and restart the truck.

Someone please help me figure why restarting the truck makes it work, but turning off the HU and back on doesn't work?
What is resetting when I restart the truck?

Maybe reflash the Maestro?

 

I wonder if your head unit never “turns off” when you turn it off. By that I mean... does it just kill the display? Because it is still receiving 12v constant/plus remote turn on. Where as restarting the truck kills the remote turn on briefly.

I would try reflashing the maestro but I would also call the manufacture of the head unit and start a warranty claim if the reflash didn’t work.

 

HU powers down when I shut it off with the power button.
It literally reboots when I turn it back on, I get the startup and nanny warning screen.

Of course it has constant 12V all the time, but it still has that with the ignition off.
I can't figure out what is triggered on restarting the truck to reset the camera to work again.

The frustrating part is that the truck and the HU recognizes the vehicle is in REV.
I get a grey screen with the warning on it, I just can't get a pic.

Even more confusing is the "Check Surroundings Before Backing UP" is part of the truck/camera system, it has nothing to do with the aftermarket HU.
I had the same warning on my Entune.
So a signal is being sent from the truck to the HU when it is in rev, there is just no picture.

Also the issue did start with the newest HU, but only after it had been installed for a few months.

I considered replacing the camera, but the Toyota stock are crazy expensive $500.
https://parts.toyotaofcoolsprings.com/oem-parts/toyota-park-assist-camera-867900c020?c=bD0xJm49U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHMmYT10b3lvdGEmbz10dW5kcmEmeT0yMDE0JnQ9c3I1JmU9NS03bC12OC1nYXM%3D

I could always buy a buy a cheap one on eBay for $120
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rear-BACK-...A-Dorman-590-141/233725577131?epid=2280113760

I'll try a Maestro reflash in the next day or so, I pulled the HU and check connections and they seem good.
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

I had several issues with a Kenwood DDX9903S. My screen would freeze, camera wouldn’t come on, radio would restart on its own, music would stop, yada yada yada. I pulled the Maestro this past weekend and flashed it with the latest software. Knock on wood, I’ve been problem free so far. Flashing the Maestro is a simple process.

 

Good to know.
My HU does restart in its own sometimes.
I'll reflash it this weekend I just need to find the cable.
I know it is around here somewhere..

 

yeah update the firmwares/softwares to latest first.

 

So I have a aftermarket KENWOOD with factory backup camera. While I do get a warning while in reverse; i believe it’s generated by kenwood and not the truck itself. Which is activated by the reverse circuit via maestro.
My message is slightly different from yours and in a different location when activated.

since you said this started with the new head unit. Check the reverse wire and make sure it’s connection is solid. Try the old head unit. If stops giving you problems- it’s either the wiring, maestro, or most likely a bad head unit.

 

Here is an update if anyone else has this issue.
I reflashed the Maestro a couple weeks ago.
I haven't had the problem since.
Only time will tell..

 

I am having a different camera issue with my DMX906S. This past Sunday, I added an aftermarket front camera in the grille of my truck. My truck displays the backup camera just fine but when I come out of reverse and shift into drive, the DMX906S swaps to the image from the front camera without me selecting it. The only way for me to get the front image to go away is for me to manually hit the Home button.

There is only one wire connecting the camera to the Kenwood, so I have no idea how the Kenwood is getting a signal to kick to the front image. I checked all connections, call Kenwood multiple times to troubleshoot, updated the Kenwood to the latest firmware, reset the Kenwood...I don't know what else to do. I have not re-flashed the Maestro yet.

Anyone else have this issue and if so, how did you resolve? Thanks.

 

Solved...contacted Masestro Tech Support and there is a low speed trigger buried in their settings that activates the front view camera until you get above 7 miles per hour. Turned it off and so far so good...

 

That’s good to know. Thanks for the update.
Which camera did you go with? How are you liking it?

 

Well it was solved...now it is doing the same thing it was doing (coming on up to 7 mph) despite the low speed trigger being off in the Maestro. Every problem I seem to have (Ramdom resetting/rebooting, camera issues, etc.) comes back to the Masetro module. I took the cheap route and saved a few dollars and didn't get the newer Maestro...learn from my mistake and get the newer version. I believe several on here have reported no issues with the newer version.

I went with this camera...https://www.crutchfield.com/p_707VT601HD/Boyo-VTK601HD.html