Installing a dashcam for around-the-clock surveillance is a popular upgrade for vehicle security. However, some users have reported unexpected issues with their Camera Key Fobs after dashcam installation. This article explores a firsthand experience of such interference and the troubleshooting steps taken to identify the root cause.
The Mystery of Reduced Camera Key Fob Range
Recently, a user installed two Viofo A129 dashcams in their vehicles – a 2017 BMW X3 and a 2010 Lexus ES350. Both dashcams were hardwired to non-switched fuses to enable continuous recording. Shortly after installation, an unusual problem surfaced in both cars: the camera key fobs began to malfunction.
The symptoms were consistent across both vehicles:
- Limited Range: The car would only lock or unlock when the camera key fob was within an extremely short range – approximately 5 feet from the vehicle. Previously, the fob worked from a much greater distance.
- Key Fob Detection Failure: Inside the car, the vehicle sometimes failed to detect the camera key fob. This prevented the engine start/stop function from operating correctly, leading to inconvenience and frustration.
These issues arose immediately after dashcam installation and affected both vehicles simultaneously, suggesting a common cause related to the new devices.
Troubleshooting Steps to Restore Your Camera Key Fob
Faced with these perplexing camera key fob issues, the user embarked on a systematic troubleshooting process to pinpoint the source of the problem.
Initially, the most straightforward solution seemed to be a low battery in the camera key fobs. New batteries were installed in both fobs, but unfortunately, this did not resolve the problem. The reduced range and detection issues persisted.
Suspecting wireless interference, the next step was to disable the WiFi functionality on both dashcams. The thought was that the dashcam’s WiFi signal might be interfering with the camera key fob’s radio frequency. However, even with WiFi disabled, the camera key fob problems remained.
In a crucial step, both dashcams were completely powered off by unplugging them. Remarkably, upon powering down the dashcams, the camera key fobs immediately returned to normal operation in both vehicles. This pointed strongly towards the dashcams as the source of the interference.
The Rear Camera Cable: The Culprit Behind Camera Key Fob Interference?
To further isolate the issue, the user reconnected power to the dashcams but disconnected the rear camera cable from the front dashcam unit. With the rear camera cable detached, the camera key fobs worked perfectly again!
To confirm this finding, the rear camera cable was reconnected. Immediately upon reconnecting the rear camera cable, the camera key fob issues returned, solidifying the rear camera cable as the likely source of the interference.
This process of elimination strongly suggests that the rear camera cable of the Viofo A129 dashcams was emitting some form of electromagnetic interference that was disrupting the functionality of the camera key fobs.
Seeking Community Wisdom
The user contacted the seller on Amazon to inquire about the shielding of the rear camera cable, suspecting it might be inadequately shielded. The seller claimed that the cable was of good quality due to its thickness, dismissing the possibility of poor shielding.
However, cable thickness alone does not guarantee effective shielding against electromagnetic interference. Proper shielding requires specific materials and construction techniques to minimize signal leakage.
This experience raises important questions for the dashcam and automotive communities:
- Has anyone else encountered similar camera key fob interference issues after installing dashcams, particularly Viofo A129 models or other brands with rear cameras?
- Is it possible that some rear camera cables are not sufficiently shielded, leading to electromagnetic interference with vehicle systems like camera key fobs?
- What are potential solutions to mitigate this type of interference? Could better shielded cables, ferrite chokes, or specific dashcam placement help resolve the problem?
Conclusion
This firsthand account highlights a potential issue of dashcam rear camera cable interference with camera key fob functionality. While further investigation and broader data are needed, this experience suggests that inadequate shielding in some dashcam cables could lead to unexpected problems with vehicle electronics. Car owners installing dashcams, especially those with rear camera setups, should be aware of this potential issue and consider troubleshooting steps if they experience camera key fob malfunctions after installation. Exploring better shielded cables or other mitigation techniques may be necessary to ensure both dashcam and camera key fob systems operate reliably.
