Radio, back up camera, side camera not working

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

The radio on our Isata 3 is not working. The radio inside the cab of our sprinter. It has never really worked properly but we don't listen to the radio much so it was not an issue. But now the screen that shows the back up camera and side cameras do not work either. Tried fuses and jiggling the wires (this worked previously) but now we cannot get this working again. Radio is a Kenwood. Any suggestions?

 

[vlamgat]

Your wire jiggling is the clue: the wires leading to the radio and the monitor are probably disconnected somewhere. Trace each back to power and ground and you should find the problem. It may mean pulling the dash, carpets, console and getting under the dash but that's where your problem lies.

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

Your wire jiggling is the clue: the wires leading to the radio and the monitor are probably disconnected somewhere. Trace each back to power and ground and you should find the problem. It may mean pulling the dash, carpets, console and getting under the dash but that's where your problem lies.

Thank you. They took the unit out and hooked it up to another system and determined it is the entire radio unit. They did this after gaining power to the unit and verifying the power. Expensive to replace because of the integration to the back up camera and side mirrors. Wish there was another fix for replacement. Thank you for the response.

 

[bclemens]

Thank you. They took the unit out and hooked it up to another system and determined it is the entire radio unit. They did this after gaining power to the unit and verifying the power. Expensive to replace because of the integration to the back up camera and side mirrors. Wish there was another fix for replacement. Thank you for the response.

A radio, integrated for side and rear cameras is not uncommon.

There is a video box....it takes the side cameras, and rear camera, and sends a single video feed to the radio. Almost all modern radios have a video input capability for a single backup camera.

So if they are trying to find a radio that works with side and rear cameras....then they are not looking for the right stuff. They just need one that has a triggered video input for a back up camera.

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

A radio, integrated for side and rear cameras is not uncommon.

There is a video box....it takes the side cameras, and rear camera, and sends a single video feed to the radio. Almost all modern radios have a video input capability for a single backup camera.

So if they are trying to find a radio that works with side and rear cameras....then they are not looking for the right stuff. They just need one that has a triggered video input for a back up camera.

Dynamax wants to charge us $1300.00 to replace. Does any one have any other suggestions for replacing?

 

[bclemens]

Dynamax wants to charge you $1300 to replace??? can you elaborate? Are you talking about a parts order?

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

Dynamax wants to charge you $1300 to replace??? can you elaborate? Are you talking about a parts order?

Yes a parts order. Used the contact us dynamax rv link above. Requested a new radio part for our model and they quoted 1300.00.

 

[bclemens]

Your best bet may be getting the radio model and ordering off of Amazon. Often times, they are on there at lower prices than we can buy them.

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

Your best bet may be getting the radio model and ordering off of Amazon. Often times, they are on there at lower prices than we can buy them.

Tried already. They don't make that model any more. Trying to find a comparable unit to replace what is there. Thank you.

 

[bclemens]

Which model is it? They make a 10" screen version now, where the screen floats.

 

[jimmoore13]

Assuming you are out of warranty...don't mess with this if you are in warranty. If you are in warranty, you might seek permission to bring the rig to a car stereo specialist for repair rather than relying on an RV dealer.

You describe an intermittent problem...and the wiggling wires comment suggests a connectivity issue.

Given that there's $1300 on the line for a replacement, I'd suggest a two step process to check your connections:

1. Assuming your head unit is a Double Din size, get a "Double Din" removal tool for your Kenwood, pull the thing from the dash and just make sure all the connectors are solidly in place. Ideally, carefully remove and reconnect each wiring bundle/connection to the "stereo". While in there, examine all the wiring harnesses behind the dash looking for chafed or damaged wire...or a nick in the insulation caused by contact with metal structure in the dash. It's crowded in there, so wire damage is not out of the question. Also look for "black boxes" (e.g. for video distribution), and see if something is obviously wrong with them.
2. If this is too intimidating, or if your exam turns up nothing obvious, a trip to Car Toys or an equivalent car stereo installer should help with diagnostics.

This Kenwood is for illustration purposes only, (it doesn't even have a CD slot) but note that it uses old fashioned RCA style connectors for the video/audio "A/V" inputs. These aren't ideal for the vibrations going down the road.

Again, given that there's $1300 at stake to simply buy a new head unit, you might be better off with an upgrade to a new head unit that is likely to cost less than the $1300 quoted.

Obviously, if your head unit is some proprietary device with a slide out screen and so on, all of this may not make sense. But with a Kenwood (which I have as a replacement for the factory stereo in my Toyota), it's likely to be an aftermarket item different from an auto manufacturer's built in stereo...especially if your Isata 3 is built on a Mercedes Sprinter chassis.

Anyway, all of this could be way off base for any number of reasons...including Mercedes using Kenwood stereos as factory product...but I hope this is helpful.

 

[jimmoore13]

PS, this might be more like what you have...with a large floating screen, but it's still a Double Din head unit with a screen hanging off the front.

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

PS, this might be more like what you have...with a large floating screen, but it's still a Double Din head unit with a screen hanging off the front.

Xite XSG2NA is the unit that is currently there.
Thank you for the information. We will review. Thanks again for your time.

 

[miataroadster]

I was able to find the company that supplied your original radio unit.
The new model for that is G4. It's plug and play. $989 and you can order direct from them. They supply radios to Isata etc.

See attached pics for Company name, phone # ,and part #.

Press 1, for warranty dept, and they will help you. I spoke to Rob.

If it is plug and play, you could probably install it yourself.

 

[bclemens]

Awesome!!!!

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

I was able to find the company that supplied your original radio unit.
The new model for that is G4. It's plug and play. $989 and you can order direct from them. They supply radios to Isata etc.

See attached pics for Company name, phone # ,and part #.

Press 1, for warranty dept, and they will help you. I spoke to Rob.

If it is plug and play, you could probably install it yourself.

Thank you for this information. Husband spoke with company today and received the same info. However, there is a great deal of bad press out there about this company's product, spending 1,000.00 to get another product that never really worked correctly seems unproductive. We are currently searching alternatives. Thank you for your time and effort.

 

[bclemens]

If there is only one video feed into the Xite radio...then this should be pretty easy to accomplish. We had lots people upgrade the Xite to the Kenwood radio. If it has the video switcher box, then it handles which video to send, to the radio. Rear or side.

 

[jimmoore13]

Again, if you plan to shop around, and you're planning on dropping a Kilobuck on a new head unit, I'd suggest going to a car audio store. They will have systems from many manufacturers that are compatible (usually Double Din), and they'll have all the necessary adapters to mate up your existing wiring to the new head unit. You might also customize with an amplified subwoofer, better speakers or other add-ons that are useful...such as an integrated dashcam, etc. You will pay handsomely for the service, but for a complex install, it may be worth it. And...they'll have experience with and service manuals for your Sprinter chassis and dash.

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

If there is only one video feed into the Xite radio...then this should be pretty easy to accomplish. We had lots people upgrade the Xite to the Kenwood radio. If it has the video switcher box, then it handles which video to send, to the radio. Rear or side.

Leaning towards a Kenwood DMX something. Has car play which is something wanted. Thank you for the help from everyone.

 

[Priscilla and Gary Evans]

Bought the Kenwood DMX 9708s. Installed and working. Self installed, son used to install car stereos so he was a huge help. Second son helped with programming. Wonderful children we have. Cost was 400.00, a third of the oringinal cost quoted. Unit does more of what we wanted than quoted unit. It pays to shop around. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this discussion and thank you our children of technology.