Ford Explorer Backup Camera Not Working [How to Fix]

When the backup camera in your Ford Explorer stops working, reversing can become more strenuous than ever. You have to keep looking into your rearview mirror to avoid hitting the objects behind you while trying to drive smoothly.

If you are currently facing this issue, you need to fix your broken backup camera immediately.

In this article, I’ll show you how to repair your backup camera so that you can regain control of your vehicle.

But first, here are some common reasons your Ford Explorer backup camera may not work:

The camera’s lens is dirty.
Your camera has a blown fuse.
Your camera’s connector is rusty.
Your camera’s wires are broken.
The camera has shifted out of position.
The camera is damaged.

Table of Contents

How to Fix a Faulty Backup Camera in Your Ford Explorer

Clean Your Camera’s Lens

Do the images on your camera look cloudy? Then the camera’s lens might be dirty. As such, you’ll need to clean the lens.

Here’s how to clean your Ford Explorer backup camera’s lens:

First, remove your camera from the trim panel on your trunk.
Get a microfiber towel and a non-abrasive spray cleaner.
Spray the cleaner over the lens. Then use the microfiber towel to wipe it out.
Re-insert your camera into the trim panel once it gets dry.

Now, place your gear in Reverse and check if you can see the images on your backup camera clearly. If not, try the next tip.

Replace the Backup Camera’s Fuse

If your Ford Explorer backup camera isn’t working, the device’s fuse might be blown. A blown fuse may cause the images on your camera to look foggy.

To resolve this problem, you’ll need to change the fuse. But first, confirm that the fuse is bad.

Study your vehicle’s user manual to locate your backup camera’s fuse. If the fuse looks blackened, replace it.

Is your backup camera working now? If not, move on to the next step.

Change Your Camera’s Connector

One common reason a Ford Explorer backup camera may stop working is a rusty connector.

The rubber boot that seals your camera’s wiring often gets leaky. This causes water to penetrate the connector, thus making it rust. Because the camera’s connector is weak, it may loosen from your tailgate’s connector.

You can tell that your backup camera’s connector is rusty if the camera only works intermittently or it displays a blue screen.

The best way to fix this issue is to change your camera’s connector. But taking this route will cost you a lot of money.

This is because you have to buy a new backup camera to replace your connector. Ford Explorer backup cameras rarely work with aftermarket connectors.

A cheaper alternative to a connector replacement is to connect the camera’s wires directly to your tailgate. This method is just as effective as changing your camera’s connector.

If you aren’t an expert with cars, don’t link the wires to the tailgate by yourself. If you do, you might ruin them and destroy your camera. Instead, ask your auto technician to perform the connection.

When you get a new connector, add electric grease to the pins. This will prevent the connector from rusting quickly.

If your backup camera fails to work after this, continue to the next tip.

Splice and Solder Your Camera’s Wires

Does your Ford Explorer backup camera fail to work sometimes? Then, some wires on the device might be broken.

Every time you pull up your tailgate, your backup camera’s wires get weaker. After several months, these wires eventually break off.

You can fix your camera’s broken wires by splicing and soldering them. A wire splice involves connecting the separate ends of the broken wire. To prevent this wire from loosening again, you need to tighten its bond. Soldering these wires will ensure that the damaged parts of the cables stay attached to each other.

Follow these steps to splice the wires in your Ford Explorer backup camera:

Disconnect the negative terminal on your vehicle’s battery to avoid an electric shock.
Check if the exposed parts of the broken wire are long enough.
If not, use a cable stripping knife to strip off some insulation on the wire.
Once you have enough exposed wires on both ends, place them on each other and twist them together.
Use a soldering iron to seal the linkage.

If your camera doesn’t work properly after this, move on to the next step.

Adjust the Camera’s Position

If you recently hit a pole with your Ford Explorer car, your backup camera may have shifted out of place. When the camera is misaligned, your gear shifter can’t communicate with it. As such, the backup camera won’t be able to tell when you are reversing. So, it won’t turn on.

To fix this issue, you’ll need to remove the camera and place it in the proper position.

If the camera doesn’t work after this, continue to the next step.

Get a New Backup Camera

If none of these solutions fixes your Ford Explorer backup camera, chances are the camera is damaged. Consider replacing the camera to fix this problem.

Take these steps to replace the backup camera in a Ford Explorer:

Remove the bolts and nuts on the trim panel at the back of your car.
Then use a trim tool to detach the trim panel from your trunk.
Pull out the panel. Next, flip over the panel.
You’ll see a bracket in the middle of the panel, linking the camera to your vehicle.
Unscrew the bolts on the bracket using a T20 socket.
Remove the bracket and take out your camera.
Grab and pull on your camera’s connector to detach the camera from the trip panel.
Get your new camera and insert it into the opening on the trim panel.
Put the trim panel, bracket, and bolts back in their place.

For more troubleshooting tips for your Ford Explorer backup camera, see the video below:

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Wrapping Up

Once you apply these tips, your Ford Explorer backup camera will resume working properly. Contact your dealer if your backup camera fails to work after you’ve tried all the solutions here.