I am trying to install a backup camera with new radio on a 2001 ram 1500.. I have the radio installed and I was trying to tie into the backup lights with the purple/black wire to send power to the camera, then the head unit has a 12v wire for reverse. However I cant get 12v from the backup lights. I tried the purple/black wire and the black wire, but dont get any voltage. Any thoughts?

 

What are you working on? Do your backup lights actually work?

 

That may help. 2001 ram 1500.

 

Well, you have the right wire.... Do the backup lights work otherwise??

Trans in reverse, ignition on, should see power there. If not, check fuse 7 in the fuse block on the side of the dash.

 

This my confusion. The backup lights work. I am assuming I have something connected wrong else where It was getting late so I will look over everything again in the morning.

 

Ok, so the wire IS getting power. Maybe you just have a bad ground point.

 

What camera and head unit?

 

Not sure how yours wires up but most head units need the reverse signal and that camera either needs 12v battery power (so you can see the camera at anytime outside of reverse) or it can be power by the reverse lights alone. Quite often the camera harness has a spare wire to hook up one the options

 

I actually had it hooked up right. But I was using a wire tap, once I changed it to a butt connector it work as it should. Thanks for the help.