Reverse camera license plate light bleed - my fix

[IamPro2A]

I grabbed this harness from Amazon. My intent is to use it as a non-invasive way to trigger a relay for my Vision X reverse lights when I finally move them over to the new Gladiator. When I first installed them back in '21 I was still working and spending a lot of time in urban areas and I felt that they were just too bright for everyday use, but I really need them for backing down my very long, very rural driveway, so I just put them on an aux switch. Now I'm retired, and my city driving is very rare, so I'm just going to trigger them off the reverse lights on the new Gladiator. I have a Tazer already, but there is really no reason why you can't use this to trigger a relay for the camera instead. Heck, with the proper relay you can even do both.

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[Dilly’S Willy]

Yeah, probably just needs an update. I agree it does do weird stuff after a while. Usually an update fixes it, and I have noticed that particular thing being an issue prior to an update and reboot.

I tried updating mine when I got it, there were no updates so I dealt with it. Tried a couple reboots with no consistency. Ended up unmarrying it and remarrying it. Worked more consistently after that. Took the JT in recently for a warranty thing and I'm pretty sure they updated something because when I remarried when I got it home, knock on wood but I haven't had any issues with my Tazer since.

Granted I have a 2021 with the GPEC2 ECM, not sure if that makes a difference, or the fact I have a manual meaning one less module on the CAN network. Just speculation.

1) I found with the Oracle backup lights in a 2025 there is no washout of the camera. First, they changed the camera, and second - those bright backup lights offset any washout.

2) No, because it's a live function of tazer which cut out the BCM signal to the plate lights when in reverse.

1) What camera changes were made? Can you provide some reference to those changes, please? I'm interested..

2) BCM signal? I was under the impression, never verified, that it just disabled the signal to whatever circuit powered the plate lights. But seeing how everything lighting is CAN controlled...I could understand this.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

1) What camera changes were made? Can you provide some reference to those changes, please? I'm interested..

2) BCM signal? I was under the impression, never verified, that it just disabled the signal to whatever circuit powered the plate lights. But seeing how everything lighting is CAN controlled...I could understand this.

My wife and I both noticed that the camera view was not as clear and crisp as it was on my 2022. It looks more like the camera view on the Grand Cherokees used to. It used to be that we'd comment on how much nicer the Gladiator camera image was than on the Grand Cherokees she used to have. That has since changed - now the image is more grainy, less crisp and clear and looks like the less good image of the 2021 Grand Cherokee camera.
I used to brag that my JT camera image was better than the image on her fancy Grand Cherokee.

The BCM - body control module - controls all lights. And it controls them individually - instead of feeding tail lights and license plate lights and side markers all across one circuit, it feeds left tail light on one circuit and right tail light on another and the license plate lights on still another feed.
the Tazer appears to be able to tell the BCM to kill license plate feeds when the tazer detects a signal that the vehicle is now in reverse gear.

Same can be done with a single relay and some wires...........

 

[IamPro2A]

My wife and I both noticed that the camera view was not as clear and crisp as it was on my 2022. It looks more like the camera view on the Grand Cherokees used to. It used to be that we'd comment on how much nicer the Gladiator camera image was than on the Grand Cherokees she used to have. That has since changed - now the image is more grainy, less crisp and clear and looks like the less good image of the 2021 Grand Cherokee camera.
I used to brag that my JT camera image was better than the image on her fancy Grand Cherokee.

The back up cam on my 2025 JT Rubicon, is noticeably worse than the one on my 2021 JT Sport S.
However, my wife's 2025 JLU Sport S is just as clear as my 2021 JT. Which leads me to wonder if it has more to do with the Rubicon and/or the front trailcam option than the year?

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

1) My wife and I both noticed that the camera view was not as clear and crisp as it was on my 2022. It looks more like the camera view on the Grand Cherokees used to. It used to be that we'd comment on how much nicer the Gladiator camera image was than on the Grand Cherokees she used to have. That has since changed - now the image is more grainy, less crisp and clear and looks like the less good image of the 2021 Grand Cherokee camera.
I used to brag that my JT camera image was better than the image on her fancy Grand Cherokee.

2) The BCM - body control module - controls all lights. And it controls them individually - instead of feeding tail lights and license plate lights and side markers all across one circuit, it feeds left tail light on one circuit and right tail light on another and the license plate lights on still another feed.
the Tazer appears to be able to tell the BCM to kill license plate feeds when the tazer detects a signal that the vehicle is now in reverse gear.

3) Same can be done with a single relay and some wires...........

1) My 2021 Willys has crystal clear image, compared to the 8.4" screen in the 2024 Renegade Limited I had for a loaner which looked pixelated. even compared to my grandparents 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 or 2019 Equinox LS, the image is at least 720p or 1080p in my 21 vs 480p in everything else.

2) Before I took the Willys in for the warranty stuff recently, my Tazer would randomly just refuse to turn off the plate lights at times. Everything else would work fine, just still had plate lights on in reverse. Haven't had that issue since I got it back, pretty sure they did an update. Or maybe this time the unmarrying process actually worked right haha.

3) I'm thinking about making this harness to be PnP and look factory or better. Just so I don't NEED the Tazer plugged in to use this function.

 

[FLAGladi]

An alternative to remedy the light bleed could be similar to these covers in the link below. Seems that Tacomas have similar issues with their backup cameras.

License Plate Light Covers for Toyota Tacoma 3rd Gen (2016-2023) Accessories Set - Etsy

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The back up cam on my 2025 JT Rubicon, is noticeably worse than the one on my 2021 JT Sport S.
However, my wife's 2025 JLU Sport S is just as clear as my 2021 JT. Which leads me to wonder if it has more to do with the Rubicon and/or the front trailcam option than the year?

Well, my JT is a 2025 Mojave with front trail camera (which I use to make sure I'm clear in the garage before closing the door)

 

[FBomb]

Just out on a limb here.

Couldn't you just hit the license plate light lens with peel and stick, or spray on tint to reduce glare to the camera and not even have to bother with a tazer or anything electrical? It wouldn't stop the plates from being visible. Feel like a much more simple fix than rigging the plate lights to turn off on reverse or anything like that.

IDK just a thought

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just out on a limb here.

Couldn't you just hit the license plate light lens with peel and stick, or spray on tint to reduce glare to the camera and not even have to bother with a tazer or anything electrical? It wouldn't stop the plates from being visible. Feel like a much more simple fix than rigging the plate lights to turn off on reverse or anything like that.

IDK just a thought

Perhaps, but in some states that enforce laws - you might get into trouble as the lights are supposed to show the plate from so many feet away.
I tried the "film" suggested here years ago - it dimmed them too much

 

[ShapeShyfter]

An alternative to remedy the light bleed could be similar to these covers in the link below. Seems that Tacomas have similar issues with their backup cameras.

License Plate Light Covers for Toyota Tacoma 3rd Gen (2016-2023) Accessories Set - Etsy

Sorry if I'm not supposed to drag up old posts, but the idea I had kicking around in my head is for a killflash - basically a honeycomb filter that only allows the light to shine in the axis of the cells. It'd fit inside or replace the bezel and is pointed at the license plate, and nowhere else.

Wonder if this can be 3d printed?

 

[AOGAudiman]

Sorry if I'm not supposed to drag up old posts, but the idea I had kicking around in my head is for a killflash - basically a honeycomb filter that only allows the light to shine in the axis of the cells. It'd fit inside or replace the bezel and is pointed at the license plate, and nowhere else.

Wonder if this can be 3d printed?

Interesting idea....but it would have to be in a 45 degree (or whatever) angle the plate lights are mounted at..right?

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/uh-1-airsoft-killflash-sovietonion

3" (76.2mm) x 2" (50.8mm)

I am gonna play around with this and see what shakes out. Will confirm the actual light bezel size when I get home and see if there is some way to integrate/mount it cleanly.

 

[ShapeShyfter]

Exactly. The honeycomb needs to be pointed at the license plate, not straight out like the optics killflash.

 

[FLAGladi]

Sorry if I'm not supposed to drag up old posts, but the idea I had kicking around in my head is for a killflash - basically a honeycomb filter that only allows the light to shine in the axis of the cells. It'd fit inside or replace the bezel and is pointed at the license plate, and nowhere else.

Wonder if this can be 3d printed?

That is a Great Idea. I just ended up Plasti-dipping the top half of my lights and it made a pretty good difference.

 

[AOGAudiman]

That is a Great Idea. I just ended up Plasti-dipping the top half of my lights and it made a pretty good difference.

Yeah, i did see someone on Etsy sells 3D printed "covers" that block the top half of the light assembly.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Exactly. The honeycomb needs to be pointed at the license plate, not straight out like the optics killflash.

You would block too much light. Just use a relay. By law the light must make the plate visible xxx feet away at night. These barely do that as it is. Don't overthink or reinvent the wheel....relay it

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