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Is there any place behind the dash to tap a reverse gear 12V signal for my backup cam ?
Trying to avoid getting into the harness under the body or a 20' tail light wire if it's possible..
I was thinking maybe tap the parking aid disable switch but can't find a decent diagram.
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in OkieLand
IIRC,
down on the shifter linkage near the floor, there is a Microswitch that is activated when the shifter is in Reverse.
Do you remember the color, black/pink maybe
that was two years ago, and no I don't, sorry.
I thought it was on this Colored Electrical System diagram,
but I am not seeing it, but you might like to have it anyway.
I think that this may depend on if you have the Parking Aid Module (PAM) option installed in your Excursion. I believe that the power to the reversing lamps is switched on at the Digital Transmission Range (DTR) sensor located on the transmission housing, which then feeds power directly to the reversing lamps. From what I understand, the only wiring path back into the cabin is to activate the PAM module. Perhaps Ford wired all the Excursions this way, even if they had PAM or not???...not sure. You will be looking for a BLACK wire with a PINK stripe (BK/PK) going into Connector C421 Pin #9.
This is the perfect job for the Posi-Tap 12-18 gauge taps. They are awesome for stuff like this!
Is there any place behind the dash to tap a reverse gear 12V signal for my backup cam ?
Trying to avoid getting into the harness under the body or a 20' tail light wire if it's possible..
I was thinking maybe tap the parking aid disable switch but can't find a decent diagram.
What am I missing?
You want to tap in to a reverse voltage signal wire to power the "Backup" camera I guess.
You do not want to disturb any of the body harness from the cab to the rear, and you do not want to run a 20' wire to the taillight?
Where is this camera going to be mounted, in the rear or up front? Is it a wireless camera, or wired?
If the camera is conventionally wired either by signal, power or both and in the rear as expected (license plate/bumper) something has to go from the head unit to the rear for the camera, no?
No. His head unit needs to see 12V to automatically switch the reverse camera on and bring it up on the display when in reverse. This is usually done by tapping into the reverse light circuit. There is also usually setting in the head unit to require a certain duration of power so that it does't turn the camera on when you are just 'passing through' reverse while shifting into drive.
What am I missing?
You want to tap in to a reverse voltage signal wire to power the "Backup" camera I guess.
You do not want to disturb any of the body harness from the cab to the rear, and you do not want to run a 20' wire to the taillight?
Where is this camera going to be mounted, in the rear or up front? Is it a wireless camera, or wired?
If the camera is conventionally wired either by signal, power or both and in the rear as expected (license plate/bumper) something has to go from the head unit to the rear for the camera, no?
Originally Posted by 4Kids
No. His head unit needs to see 12V to automatically switch the reverse camera on and bring it up on the display when in reverse. This is usually done by tapping into the reverse light circuit. There is also usually setting in the head unit to require a certain duration of power so that it does't turn the camera on when you are just 'passing through' reverse while shifting into drive.
Exactly, the coax with 22ga siamese is already run through the interior & cam is mounted on the rear headliner trim. Since the PAM is right there in the RR corner with HVAC, I'm probably going to just tap the black/pink at the park aid module for a trigger, & if I can find a KO+ on that park aid module it'll feed the cam so I can select it when towing..
Last edited by robert kelsey; Mar 8, 2026 at 10:21 PM.
If you need a Headunit trigger (to switch screen), tap off the rearview mirror. See above diagram for the wire # and colors. Black with pink tracer
the rearview mirror has a reverse trigger. this serves to disable the "Auto Dim" when you are backing up. I've been using this for years to trigger my radios.
As far as the camera itself, I tend to use the 7-pin for power and trigger (as needed). it's relatively easy to run a short wire from the 7 pin constant hot (batt charge) or from the trailer reverse wire.
