Use this article if…
- You're adding a front or extra camera and assigning inputs, not diagnosing reverse on its own.
- If reverse and front priority are the wrong way round, see Multiview switching. If you're on an MK4, see MK4 cameras.
Problem
- You're adding a front or second camera alongside reverse on the headunit.
Symptoms
- You get the wrong input after the install.
- Your cameras fight over the same trigger.
Cause
- Input priority, reverse override or the last source rule on your headunit conflicts with the way you assigned the front and aux inputs.
Fix Step-by-step
- Write the camera map first. Note which physical port is reverse, front and side, then decide what wins when you engage reverse. Usually reverse overrides everything.
- Tag coax before it disappears. Label both ends REV, FRONT and AUX before you route through the firewall, bull bar or headliner. Common mistake: four identical black RCAs and guesswork at the radio.
- Power deliberately. Front may run off ACC plus a manual button, reverse uses the +12 sense. Don't strap two different triggers to one lead because it worked once.
- Headunit menu pass. Assign each input, set the reverse source, then enable front from the icon or the steering wheel if it's supported. Screenshot the settings for later.
- Park test sequence. Chocks in, brake on: open front view, then shift to reverse. Reverse must take over. Roll forward and confirm front times out as the manual says.
- Route for heat and steer. Leave a service loop at the grille for bar-mounted front cameras, and keep coax off the exhaust and the steering column.
Real-world conflicts
- Your front camera stays powered live while you reverse, so the software never hands over to reverse.
- If a side camera shares the reverse input through a Y-adapter, your headunit sees one confused stream.
