Cargo Cam - Black screen?

[iota]

Hey guys, I found posts talking about the cargo cam going blue or giving an error message, but my 2021 RAM 3500 Limited is doing something different - it's just showing a black camera feed when I tap the cargo cam choice on the screen.

All of the surround view cameras work, the digital mirror works, but for some reason the cargo camera specific is just always black.

It previously worked but at some point in the past year went black. I'm not sure if it was due to an over the air update (I've not taken it to the dealer) or perhaps a failed part, but couldn't find anyone else with the same issue. Apologies if this is a duplicate and I am just bad at searching, but anyone have any ideas?


Update: OK, I found another thread (no idea why it didn't come up when searching for "black screen") and the consensus is "nobody really knows why". Sorry for the duplicate post, I can't delete it myself

 

[ClawSS]

@iota If you close the thread, that's fine, but my backup camera in my tailgate handle went black, but the alignment lines were there. I was able to swap the cargo camera into the tailgate to figure out the camera went bad in my '22 after a couple of years. You may want to do the same but opposite swap since you have 360 view. DO NOT FORGET to be mindful of your gasket around the CHMSL and get that resealed once you figure out and fix the issue. This should tell you if wiring or software is to blame, or just the camera. The cameras are the same p/n. If you find a need for a new camera be sure that the one you get is for the 360 view. There are other cameras that may fit but will not work.

 

[Metternacht]

I haven't found a solution yet. It is still happening even though they changed the camera out. If I do a Fonzie slap (google it of you don't know) on the roof by the CHMSL I can sometimes get it to come back. IT feels like a connection gets loose but I don't know for sure. Dealer wasn't really interested in digging in. I took multiple videos of it happening when I would cycle the cameras and show the one failure. At this point I am not sure I want to bother with it more. but it is annoying.

 

[iota]

If anyone else is having this issue, I spent many, many hours investigating - I checked the Uconnect versions, all the connections, wiring, looked for moisture in the CMHSL housing, etc, all with no luck. I even followed all the diagnostic steps in the Alldata instructions for the issue and after exhausting all troubleshooting except "replace camera module", I finally bought a new camera module from Amazon and that fixed it. The cargo camera is in the CMHSL housing in the middle, and takes about 2 minutes to replace with just 3 phillips head screws. The part number of the module is 68417514AA and I was able to get a replacement from Amazon for $89 - the Amazon item number I used is B0FC6345DV but there are surely other options that are cheaper than the Mopar original. As soon as I installed the new camera it showed up and works just fine.

If you are having an all-black screen when you try to use your cargo bed camera, save yourself a lot of trouble and just get a cheap replacement 68417514AA camera module and try it - it only takes a minute to replace and will probably fix your issue, as it fixed mine.

(I think the camera module fails because it's inside of the hot, black, plastic housing on the roof and eventually it just gives up the ghost. The camera module part 68417514AA is also apparently used in the front grille and the side mirrors if you have the 360 view, but those are better protected from the sun and heat so they last longer)

 

[ngm011]

If anyone else is having this issue, I spent many, many hours investigating - I checked the Uconnect versions, all the connections, wiring, looked for moisture in the CMHSL housing, etc, all with no luck. I even followed all the diagnostic steps in the Alldata instructions for the issue and after exhausting all troubleshooting except "replace camera module", I finally bought a new camera module from Amazon and that fixed it. The cargo camera is in the CMHSL housing in the middle, and takes about 2 minutes to replace with just 3 phillips head screws. The part number of the module is 68417514AA and I was able to get a replacement from Amazon for $89 - the Amazon item number I used is B0FC6345DV but there are surely other options that are cheaper than the Mopar original. As soon as I installed the new camera it showed up and works just fine.

If you are having an all-black screen when you try to use your cargo bed camera, save yourself a lot of trouble and just get a cheap replacement 68417514AA camera module and try it - it only takes a minute to replace and will probably fix your issue, as it fixed mine.

(I think the camera module fails because it's inside of the hot, black, plastic housing on the roof and eventually it just gives up the ghost. The camera module part 68417514AA is also apparently used in the front grille and the side mirrors if you have the 360 view, but those are better protected from the sun and heat so they last longer)

I have had this issue where cargo camera would black-out on me for a couple years. None of the Mopar shops from Southern California to Oregon were able to identify the issue. Some were claiming it's the module some said it was cabling. Yet, they would charge you $125 - $150 for diagnostics even though they didn't solve anything.

The third-party camera purchased on Amazon solved the issue instantly. Thank you so much for taking your time to share this info here!

For the record, I have 2021 RAM 3500 HO.

--- ngm