If your Chevy Avalanche has a backup camera that is not working, here are the most common causes and how to troubleshoot them. Backup Technology is wonderful (when it works). The Avalanche is a rather large vehicle and the backup camera can make driving it a lot more convenient, not to mention safer. The beauty of the Avalanche is that it provides so much versatility. The problem is this versatility comes with some of the worst blind spots that a person can experience with a truck. The backup camera can literally be a lifesaver with these trucks.
Avalanche Backup Camera Not Working: Troubleshooting
This section is presented to you in the order of likelihood that the particular issue is causing the backup camera problem with your Chevy Avalanche.
- Bad Shifter Alignment– This is a really easy one to check. Have somebody stand behind your Avalanche, and put it in reverse. Have them tell you if the back up lights come on. If the back up lights don’t come on that means that the vehicle is not getting that instruction from the shifter (unless for some crazy reason they are both blown). This can happen when things get out of alignment. Now that you are back there, go ahead and see if the reverse lights come on in any gear. It may have been a bigger problem than you realized. Don’t try this by yourself. You don’t want your foot to slip off the brake and end up with a vehicle that rolls away.
- Blown Fuse– One of the most common causes of a bad back up camera in the Chevy Avalanche is a bad fuse. The first time that you experience a bad fuse, it should be cause for concern, but not alarm. Go ahead and install a new fuse, and if the problem goes away you’re good to go. If the problem persists, then it’s time to look at the possibility that you have a short-circuit.
- Bad Camera– These cameras are exposed to the elements, which means that they have to be pretty durable. They certainly can go bad. With the Chevy Avalanche in particular, they can go out. Give it a flick. It very well could turn back on again. If it does come back to life, you know it’s going bad.
- Short Circuit– While it’s not the most likely of causes, the a short-circuit can cause the reverse camera to stop functioning . Here’s a video on diagnosing a short.
Related: Chevy Avalanche Transmission P0442 Trouble Code
Here’s a good video of a guy going through the wiring on his Yukon backup camera. It’s pretty dang similar to the Avalanche and can be incredibly helpful.