Honda Odyssey Backup Camera Not Working [How to Fix]

Your Honda Odyssey backup camera has been acting funny for a while now. Sometimes, it may work normally. At other times, it might start misbehaving.

You’ve had enough of this problem and you want to fix it. The problem is…you don’t know how to fix the issue.

Fortunately, fixing a Honda Odyssey backup camera involves simple methods that anyone can perform. In this post, I’ll help you diagnose the issue with your backup camera and the best solutions for each problem.

I’ll also show how to apply each solution in simple steps. Let’s dive in.

First, you should know why your Honda Odyssey backup camera isn’t working properly.

Your Honda Odyssey backup camera may stop working because of a dirty lens, a loose connection, or a blown fuse. Broken wires and a damaged system can also prevent the camera from working properly.

Now, Let’s head over to the troubleshooting tips.

Table of Contents

How to Fix Honda Odyssey Backup Camera Issues

Remove the Haze on Your Camera’s Lens

Does your Honda Odyssey backup camera display a foggy image when you shift your gear to Reverse? Then, the camera’s lens might be hazy.

As you drive around, dirt and dust from the atmosphere settle on the lens, clouding the surface. This debris prevents the lens from showing your rear-view image clearly.

You can resolve this problem by cleaning your backup camera’s lens.

Follow these steps to clean the lens on your Honda Odyssey backup camera:

First, locate your backup camera at the back of your car.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the bolts holding the camera to your trunk.
Pull out the camera.
Cover up the camera’s housing with tape to prevent dirt from getting into it.
Next, dab a cotton swab in a non-abrasive liquid soap.
Wipe your lens with this swab.
Apply isopropyl alcohol on another cotton swab.
Again, rub your camera’s lens with this swab.
Cut out a strand of clear tape and place it over your lens.
Flatten the tape over the lens with a cotton swab.
Using a putty knife, cut the tape to the size of the lens.
Remove the excess tape around the lens.
Now, seal the tape on the lens with an all-purpose glue.
Wait for the glue to dry.
Insert your backup camera into its housing.
Turn on your car and move your gear to Reverse.
Now, ask a friend to observe the image on the camera’s screen.
If the image looks blurry, rotate your lens until the fog clears.
Then, re-install the screws on the backup camera.

Your backup camera should display clear images now.

Apply Dielectric Grease on Your Camera’s Connector

A blank screen on your Honda Odyssey backup camera may indicate that the device has a loose connection. The constant jiggling of your vehicle as you drive through rough roads can cause your backup camera’s connector to loosen from the camera.

Your backup camera relies on its connector for electricity. So, the camera can’t work if it isn’t properly attached to its connector.

To fix this issue, you’ll have to find a way for the connector to stick to the camera permanently. Luckily, there is a fluid that lets you do this: the dielectric grease.

Start by pulling your backup camera from the back of your car to reveal the connector. Then, use a cotton swab to apply the dielectric grease on the contacts inside the connector. Re-attach your backup camera to its connector and resume driving your vehicle.

Your camera should stop displaying a black screen after this.

However, if the backup camera still shows a black screen, try the next tip.

Inspect Your Backup Camera’s Fuse

Another reason your Honda Odyssey backup camera may display a blank screen is a blown fuse.

The backup camera’s fuse controls the amount of power that the camera receives. So, the camera won’t get enough power if it doesn’t have a functional fuse. This will cause the camera to stay off.

The only way to solve this problem is to replace the backup camera’s fuse. Your backup camera’s fuse is located in the fuse box in the driver’s side footwell. Study the fuse box cover to determine the exact location of the fuse.

Before you replace your backup camera’s fuse, you should confirm that the fuse is blown. You can do this by inspecting the metal strip inside the fuse. If the metal strip is broken at the center, the fuse is blown.

Make sure to replace your blown backup camera fuse with a fuse that has a similar color and amperage.

After changing the fuse, shift your gear to Reverse and check if your backup camera is working. If the camera’s screen is still blank, continue to the next step.

Check and Splice Your Camera’s Broken Wires

Broken wires can also prevent your Honda Odyssey backup camera from working.

Your backup camera’s wires are located at the uppermost end of your trunk. These wires weaken easily because you open and close the trunk frequently. As time passes, the weak wires will eventually break.

You can repair your broken backup camera’s wires by splicing them with new wires. But you can’t just use any wire.

We recommend splicing your backup camera’s wires with the wire from a new connector. Since you’ll have to cut off the old connector on the camera to add new wires, you’ll need a new connector anyway.

Once you’ve bought your new connector, it’s time to fix your camera’s wires.

Here’s how to splice your Kia Optima backup camera’s broken wires:

Detach your camera’s connector from the liftgate.
Cut off the broken part of your camera’s wires.
Take out the old connector and grab the new connector.
Use a wire stripper to remove some insulation on the connector’s wire.
Also, strip off a small bit of the insulation on the camera’s wires.
Twist the exposed wires together.
Seal the joint with a soldering iron.
Finally, wrap the joint in electrical tape.

Your backup camera should resume working after you’ve fixed the broken wires. However, if the camera is still malfunctioning, check out the next tip.

Replace Your Backup Camera

If your Honda Odyssey backup camera is still misbehaving, chances are the camera is damaged. If so, a camera replacement is in order.

Use this step-by-step guide to replace your Honda Odyssey backup camera:

Use a flathead screwdriver to pry out the rectangular trim piece in the middle of the liftgate.
You’ll see the backup camera in the opening behind the trim piece.
Detach the liftgate connector from the back of the car.
Remove all the other trim pieces on the liftgate.
Next, pop out the liftgate handle.
Then, press the clip behind the handle to release it from the liftgate.
The next step is to remove the 10mm bolts holding down the liftgate panel.
Use your 10mm socket to pull out these bolts.
Now, you can detach your liftgate panel from the trunk.
Remove the liftgate panel and turn it over.
Your backup camera is behind the panel.
Disconnect your backup camera’s connector from the liftgate connector.
This should release your backup camera.
Take out the new backup camera.
Attach the new camera’s connector to the liftgate.
Re-install your liftgate panel back onto the vehicle.
Drive the 10mm bolts into the liftgate.
Push the liftgate handle back onto the trunk.
Re-insert all the trim pieces you removed earlier.
Finally, reconnect your liftgate to your vehicle.

Video tutorial:

Your new backup camera should work perfectly now.

Related Resources:

Wrapping Up

If your Honda Odyssey backup camera isn’t working, you can fix it by cleaning the camera’s lens and changing its fuse. Applying dielectric grease on the camera’s connector might also resolve the issue. Other ways to repair your backup camera involve splicing the camera’s wires or replacing the device.

If none of these tips fixes your faulty backup camera, contact your dealer.