Advice on rear camera

[Gene3x]

My 04 rear camera is out. The dealer verified it is the CCD in the camera itself. Has anyone replaced the camera with the Eclipse? Is it the same as OEM? Some sites say yes. Is it a better camera for less money??? A friend told me he had the same issue and he tried to plug a new Eclipse he got from crutchfield in his 04 and it did not work (no warning message). The adaptor plug fit and says it is supposed to be plug an play but nothing came on the screen. When he plugged his old one back into the plug screen was the same.... black but with the warning message up. I don't want to make the same mistake. The problem: The Eclipse (which is made for toyota) is around $200 The OEM camera is around $600
What could possibly be the difference?

 

[nickw]

Wouldn't the warranty cover it on a 2004?

 

[Gene3x]

It has 61,000 miles on it....

 

[100 TD]

I would write a letter to Mr. T and ask for warranty, the number of miles does not affect the camera, it is not a drive train part, see if you can get a replacement supplied and pay for labour to fit, should only take 10 minutes!

 

[Gene3x]

Good suggestion. Where should I send this letter? I already had it to the dealer and they were no help!

 

[mikeacs]

Cant imagine the eclipse not working, I have the eclipse bec 105 camera on my Nav unit, which is an 05 Camry, but should have the same camera input as yours.

The nice thing about the new 105 is that it is smaller

 

[Gene3x]

Yep well we plug it in and .....nothing. We didn't disconect the battery but can that really be a big factor? The only other thing I can think of is the wire being to long with the factory wire and the wire that came with it. Guess he is gonna have to go get raped at the dealer. I am relunctant to order the Eclipse for myself now!

 

[mikeacs]

He may have just got a bad camera from eclipse, Mine worked with no problems, all that extra cable is not a factor. Eclipse is the retail side of Fujitsu Ten, toyotas oem. It should be compatible, according to everything i've seen.

 

[100 TD]

Good suggestion. Where should I send this letter? I already had it to the dealer and they were no help!

The Warranty Manager
at head office

 

[Gene3x]

Thanks guys that is exactly the info I was looking for. I will get the camera switched out first and then write a letter!