"backup system not available"

[ShadowsPapa]

Just in time for me having a totally messed up back, likely a slipped or otherwise bad disk..... moving the snow plow from the approach in front of my shop to under the lean to. Hooked up, lift plow, put truck in reverse - no camera. It stayed on the XM screen. That's odd. I put it in D, then back to R - still nothing. Bad bad bad because I can't turn or twist and my neighbor's trailer and my own trailer and other stuff is behind me - tight quarters. Need that camera.
I switched to apps, chose backup camera - "backup system not available" and it stayed on that error, then back to the apps screen.
I managed to get the truck moved around, plow situated under lean-to, and unhook (craps, that was fun - good thing I have a doc appointment tomorrow where he's likely to tell me I need quick surgery - my wife would be very upset if she knew I was moving the plow)
Anyway, unhooked, backed away from plow - no backup view.
Drove up the shared driveway, then backed down our driveway using mirrors, into the garage the old fashioned way, still no backup camera.
One more time - try the app. What the......... now there's a view from the camera! Back into reverse - nothing, app - there's the view - into reverse - nothing.
So now it works for about 5 seconds or so when I choose the app "backup camera" but it won't work in reverse. The first time it failed in reverse AND the app with the fail message "backup system not available".
Now it's available - but not in reverse.
If it was a camera connection - it should be dead at all times, period - no pic.
But since it works in the app - can't really say it's a connection issue.
Or is it - I know there's some people here extremely well versed in the cameras on these things and how they work (or don't, at times)
Any input?
That camera is going to be critical once the snow flies and I need to back up really close up to things. (not to mention it's sort of nice anyway)

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[4-Play]

Sorry about your camera issue, wish I could help with that. As for your back, I bought a Teeter inversion table and credit that for saving me from surgery. You don’t have to get completely inverted and hang like a vampire. I had a herniated disc and used it for a few minutes a day never going beyond 30 degrees from horizontal for 3 weeks. Woke up one morning with no pain and cancelled my doc appointment.

 

[IamPro2A]

This may or may not be barking up the wrong tree....
How low does your voltage drop when you are using the plow, especially when you hit the limits and you hit the bypass valve on the hyraulics?

One of my late model plow trucks at work will randomly lose non-critical "features" only while using the plow and occasionally right before that happens you will catch a quick message on the dash to the effect of "system voltage low, blah blah blah disabled".

 

[Hootbro]

I would check the tailgate disconnect, clean the connector pins with electrical contact cleaner and reconnect.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This may or may not be barking up the wrong tree....
How low does your voltage drop when you are using the plow, especially when you hit the limits and you hit the bypass valve on the hyraulics?

One of my late model plow trucks at work will randomly lose non-critical "features" only while using the plow and occasionally right before that happens you will catch a quick message on the dash to the effect of "system voltage low, blah blah blah disabled".

There's no draw when the plow is full up and you are moving, or if it's in float mode and you are plowing.
Plus - it did about the same when I disconnect the plow and was backing down my driveway.
This plow has a "soft start" that's enabled by default. Unless you hold the angle button, it coasts to a stop at the end to avoid exactly what you mention on the hydraulics.

In any case, the plow was full up (takes 2 seconds to lift it) and I was backing up so there was literally no load on anything.

Voltage was fine anyway.

I would check the tailgate disconnect, clean the connector pins with electrical contact cleaner and reconnect.

That was an idea in any case - but the confusing part was that it finally worked in the app, but not in reverse. MAYBE it's two different circuits? Doubt it. But can never hurt to clean connection considering where the tail gate is and the dust these gather just driving.

 

[Hootbro]

That was an idea in any case - but the confusing part was that it finally worked in the app, but not in reverse. MAYBE it's two different circuits? Doubt it. But can never hurt to clean connection considering where the tail gate is and the dust these gather just driving.

Yeah, I am not up on the digital theory of operation of the system. I just know others in the past that had intermittent or weird rear camera issue, the tailgate connection point was a common area of concern.

 

[IamPro2A]

There's no draw when the plow is full up and you are moving, or if it's in float mode and you are plowing.
Plus - it did about the same when I disconnect the plow and was backing down my driveway.
This plow has a "soft start" that's enabled by default. Unless you hold the angle button, it coasts to a stop at the end to avoid exactly what you mention on the hydraulics.

In any case, the plow was full up (takes 2 seconds to lift it) and I was backing up so there was literally no load on anything.

Voltage was fine anyway.



That was an idea in any case - but the confusing part was that it finally worked in the app, but not in reverse. MAYBE it's two different circuits? Doubt it. But can never hurt to clean connection considering where the tail gate is and the dust these gather just driving.

When it happens on the Ford, whatever system it shuts down stays shut down until you cycle the ignition. So you would have to be monitoring the voltage while engaging the pump motor.

I just got a new 2022 F250 a few months ago, and it just came back yesterday from the plow install. Of course, I ordered the truck in the summer of 2021. This is the first truck in 20yrs where the board of finance approved pretty much every option I asked for on the truck and the plow. Of course, now I only have 12 more days of work before I retire (but who's counting!) so I probably won't even get to try out the plow (8.5ft Western Commercial V-Plow, with pretty much every option - back drag blade, curb protectors, angle stops, heated led lights.... the works) to see if this does the same thing. This one has the backup camera. My old one (2017) did not.

Basically, what happens with the 2017 Ford with the plow is what might happen to the Jeep with the auto start-stop if it didnt have the aux battery. The plow motor current draw occasionally drops the voltage enough for the computer to get wonky.

 

[IamPro2A]

Basically, what happens with the 2017 Ford with the plow is what might happen to the Jeep with the auto start-stop if it didnt have the aux battery. The plow motor current draw occasionally drops the voltage enough for the computer to get wonky.

I considered adding a second battery though an isolator and running the plow off that, but then they gave me a new truck, and... I only have 12 days left of work so I barely care.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I considered adding a second battery though an isolator and running the plow off that, but then they gave me a new truck, and... I only have 12 days left of work so I barely care.

Max it could possibly draw is 200 amps - due to the fuse.
But that would be if you turned off the soft stop or whatever it's called - can't recall their name for it, and that would be only upon angling it.
It draws a fraction of what my winch would draw.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I would check the tailgate disconnect, clean the connector pins with electrical contact cleaner and reconnect.

It's been too cold, and my hands and back are on strong meds as I can't use my left hand to grip, or bend over easily so I wasn't able to take apart that connection.
The plastic is stiff and ungiving in these temps - and I was unable to get the connector apart without breaking it.
Just taking that plastic "plate" out was fun - but I got it out.
And I tried to find a way to get the connector apart but it wouldn't budge (and likely my mistake)

Anyway - the short of it.......
I had to give up and put that plate back in the back of the bed. Today when I drove the truck everything worked fine.
So - likely it's that connection.
Once I figure out the connection disassembly and it warms up and the drugs take effect - I'll take the connection apart as I believe that's where the issue is.

 

[Hootbro]

So - likely it's that connection.
Once I figure out the connection disassembly and it warms up and the drugs take effect - I'll take the connection apart as I believe that's where the issue is.

Glad you found something to narrow it down. Working aircraft avionics for over 30+ years, had many problems solved with just a simple connector reseat.

Weather temp changes, vibration and signal tolerance staking play a lot into issues like this.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Glad you found something to narrow it down. Working aircraft avionics for over 30+ years, had many problems solved with just a simple connector reseat.

Weather temp changes, vibration and signal tolerance staking play a lot into issues like this.

Your posts typically exude logic and experience.
In this case, it also was a clue I was thinking in the correct direction.

- if you'd have been in my college classes- I'd have paid attention when you spoke up with ideas.

 

[Gren71]

Sorry about your camera issue, wish I could help with that. As for your back, I bought a Teeter inversion table and credit that for saving me from surgery. You don’t have to get completely inverted and hang like a vampire. I had a herniated disc and used it for a few minutes a day never going beyond 30 degrees from horizontal for 3 weeks. Woke up one morning with no pain and cancelled my doc appointment.

Ill second the inversion boards. I have a gnarly herniated disc (L5/S1) from my first deployment. That inversion board is critical to keeping me upright and mobil. Along with a chiropractor and reverse hyperextensions.

as far as the camera. Haven’t read the entire thread yet but ive had this happen a couple times on my 2020. First time the dealer said I needed an “update” ?‍ no issues for a while…then it went wonky again. I let the pcm completely power off and restarted the truck..camera back in action. It happened twice in a week, along with a weird outage of my DRLs. Which prompted me to replace the batteries. No issues since then. I know your current JT is newer and you’re more versed in batteries than the folks who first made em. But it seems to me the simplest answer is often the right answer.

i also seem to remember others having issues with the connectors to their tailgates. Maybe its that.

in the words of an instructor “when you see hoof prints your first thought shouldn’t be its a unicorn”

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Ill second the inversion boards. I have a gnarly herniated disc (L5/S1) from my first deployment. That inversion board is critical to keeping me upright and mobil. Along with a chiropractor and reverse hyperextensions.

as far as the camera. Haven’t read the entire thread yet but ive had this happen a couple times on my 2020. First time the dealer said I needed an “update” ?‍ no issues for a while…then it went wonky again. I let the pcm completely power off and restarted the truck..camera back in action. It happened twice in a week, along with a weird outage of my DRLs. Which prompted me to replace the batteries. No issues since then. I know your current JT is newer and you’re more versed in batteries than the folks who first made em. But it seems to me the simplest answer is often the right answer.

i also seem to remember others having issues with the connectors to their tailgates. Maybe its that.

in the words of an instructor “when you see hoof prints your first thought shouldn’t be its a unicorn”

I have an angled gymnastics pad that folds when not in use. They call it a "cheese wedge" I believe. Chiropractor suggested it since there's space issues when other stuff like a slant board isn't in use.
Man does that feel good.
Doc says nothing slipped or out of place - it's just really curved and stressed from decades of lifting, manual labor, equipment operation, leaning over fenders, lifting intakes and heads off engines, lifting transmissions, etc. (and I mean the old cast iron stuff). Prednisone and some other stuff I'm supposed to take.

Anyway, on the backup camera - since I messed with the wiring back there (didn't get it clear apart due to the cold and the plastic and unsure how to unclip the connector - there's literally no play in the wires so when I removed that plastic plate from the rear of the bed floor - I wasn't able to get any slack to even see the connectors. It's tight!)
It's operated fine for several days, lots of backing down the driveway, parking lots and so on.

We're headed into the deep-freeze in coming days so likely won't get to pull the thing apart - that plastic will snap with the cold and still haven't found the latch to release the connection. So for now - it's working.

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