[bimmerfrog]

I noticed on my recently purchased, used 2021 X5, the front camera looks very pitted or has a coating of something I can't seem to easily get off. Is swapping the camera as easy as purchasing the OEM part on Ebay for $150, unplugging the bad camera and plugging in the new camera and putting the grill back on? I'm nervous they'll be some additional coding required once I install the new camera. Anyone replaced cameras before and had any issues? Thanks

[JimVR4]

Originally Posted by bimmerfrog

I noticed on my recently purchased, used 2021 X5, the front camera looks very pitted or has a coating of something I can't seem to easily get off. Is swapping the camera as easy as purchasing the OEM part on Ebay for $150, unplugging the bad camera and plugging in the new camera and putting the grill back on? I'm nervous they'll be some additional coding required once I install the new camera. Anyone replaced cameras before and had any issues? Thanks

I would disconnect the battery ground before unplugging anything on these cars. Once you reconnect a compatible camera and the battery I would not expect coding to be required

[bimmerfrog]

Sorry, but this now begs the question. How do I unhook my battery ground? I've searched around and can't find details. Thanks

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by bimmerfrog

I've searched around and can't find details. Thanks

Where Are The Batteries Located! https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1753639

Battery Location https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1545543

[Frenetic]

Before unplugging things, has the image degraded because of those marks? Have you even attempted to see if the dealer would warranty it first?

[charlie fairmont]

By disconnecting the battery ground, they simply mean disconnecting the negative terminal. This video doesn't address that part of the project but should otherwise be helpful.

[bimmerfrog]

Originally Posted by Frenetic

Before unplugging things, has the image degraded because of those marks? Have you even attempted to see if the dealer would warranty it first?

This image looks very hazy and I when I brought it to the dealers attention (possible warranty issue) they pushed back saying some kind of coating is covering the lens. So far any traditional methods aren't improving it. I've purchased a 3M headlight kits to attempt to delicately sand/polish the camera lens cover but I would rather go the replace camera route for $150 and seemingly much less work.

[bimmerfrog]

I just wanted to close the loop on this post. I purchased the replacement OEM camera for $150 and swapped it out in less than 5 minutes and everything works perfectly. For reference, I didn't unplug the battery ground. The dealer wanted $750+ to replace it. Thanks for everyones help.

[JimVR4]

Originally Posted by bimmerfrog

I just wanted to close the loop on this post. I purchased the replacement OEM camera for $150 and swapped it out in less than 5 minutes and everything works perfectly. For reference, I didn't unplug the battery ground. The dealer wanted $750+ to replace it. Thanks for everyones help.

Congrats and good to know it was safe to disconnect / reconnect.

[bmw_au]

I had a rock hit the front camera on my X5 (G05), and after being quoted $1000+ to have it replaced I found this post and ordered a replacement from ebay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/125842166624).
When when the new camera arrived and I attempted to replace it, I found that the connector on the original camera and the new camera were slightly different.
Below are the photos showing the connector on the original and new camera, as well as the plug that goes into the connnector.
As you can see on the images, the locating notches on the original camera on both the left and right are in the same place, however on the new camera the lower locating notch on the left side (1) is slightly lower, which prevents the plug going into the connector. I was wondering what would occur if I used a craft knife to remove the notch that is preventing the plug going into the connector.

Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this?

[MJBradley1967]

Originally Posted by bmw_au

I had a rock hit the front camera on my X5 (G05), and after being quoted $1000+ to have it replaced I found this post and ordered a replacement from ebay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/125842166624).
When when the new camera arrived and I attempted to replace it, I found that the connector on the original camera and the new camera were slightly different.
Below are the photos showing the connector on the original and new camera, as well as the plug that goes into the connnector.
As you can see on the images, the locating notches on the original camera on both the left and right are in the same place, however on the new camera the lower locating notch on the left side (1) is slightly lower, which prevents the plug going into the connector. I was wondering what would occur if I used a craft knife to remove the notch that is preventing the plug going into the connector.

Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this?

Any chance that top part can be swapped with the old one? The pins are probably the same.

[bmw_au]

Originally Posted by MJBradley1967

Any chance that top part can be swapped with the old one? The pins are probably the same.

I had considered that, however I figured that removing the notch on the connector would be easier, as the cabling on the inside of the connector may be hardwired to the camera, and I was also concerned that if I open the camera I might compromise any waterproof seal?

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by bmw_au

I had a rock hit the front camera on my X5 (G05), and after being quoted $1000+ to have it replaced I found this post and ordered a replacement from ebay (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/125842166624).
When when the new camera arrived and I attempted to replace it, I found that the connector on the original camera and the new camera were slightly different.
Below are the photos showing the connector on the original and new camera, as well as the plug that goes into the connnector.
As you can see on the images, the locating notches on the original camera on both the left and right are in the same place, however on the new camera the lower locating notch on the left side (1) is slightly lower, which prevents the plug going into the connector. I was wondering what would occur if I used a craft knife to remove the notch that is preventing the plug going into the connector.

Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this?

No I have not needed to replace mine but I did manage to find the correct connector layout on the US eBay and it shows a different number on the label than your new one does and it also shows some of the same numbers so possibly your new one is for a different year or model, you didn't state that info on your car.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32436068450...RoC7L8QAvD_BwE

Before you start removing plastic, have you tried to remove the lens and swap it? Maybe it unscrews??? Since your original one is damaged, try removing the lens on that one. Is it too late to return it and look a bit more for the one that fits? Otherwise, removing that notch may do the trick, hard to say for sure but it would at least allow it it fit, I mean there IS a reason BMW changed the design. Just be sure its a tight fit so it doesn't vibrate off.

[bmw_au]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

I did manage to find the correct connector layout on the US eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/324360684507 and it shows a different number on the label than your new one does and it also shows some of the same numbers so possibly your new one is for a different year or model, you didn't state that info on your car.

Sorry I should have added that my vehicle is a 2020 X5 (G05), and thanks for the link however it appears that seller does not ship to Australia

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Before you start removing plastic, have you tried to remove the lens and swap it? Maybe it unscrews??? Since your original one is damaged, try removing the lens on that one.

It appears that the lenses on the camera units are glued on, and cannot be exchanged.

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Is it too late to return it and look a bit more for the one that fits?

I have contacted the seller on eBay today once I detected that it was different, so let see what they say.

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Otherwise, removing that notch may do the trick, hard to say for sure but it would at least allow it it fit, I mean there IS a reason BMW changed the design. Just be sure its a tight fit so it doesn't vibrate off.

I agree with you comment about there typically being a reason for BMW changing the connectors, however manufacturers have been know to make a part slightly different to allow them to sell at a different price point, or it could be that they have changed the wiring loom and the new wiring loom has a different connector, or you could be 100% correct and the camera is simply not electrically compatible.

Thanks again for all your feedback Marty.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by bmw_au

Sorry I should have added that my vehicle is a 2020 X5 (G05), and thanks for the link however it appears that seller does not ship to Australia


It appears that the lenses on the camera units are glued on, and cannot be exchanged.


I have contacted the seller on eBay today once I detected that it was different, so let see what they say.


I agree with you comment about there typically being a reason for BMW changing the connectors, however manufacturers have been know to make a part slightly different to allow them to sell at a different price point, or it could be that they have changed the wiring loom and the new wiring loom has a different connector, or you could be 100% correct and the camera is simply not electrically compatible.

Thanks again for all your feedback Marty.

Yeah, glued on, makes sense. Well, hopefully the same seller you bought it from can offer you the correct one, then they won't lose a sale and would or should be more willing to make the exchange. I don't think in this case that the part was made different from a selling or marketing standpoint. They changed something for some reason and while its possible that the one you bought will work, I think its worth the effort to resource the correct one for your car...well, maybe I should say that's what I would do and I have been known to have a sharp crafting knife

[bmw_au]

After my post from June, where I ordered the replacement front surround camera for my X5 (G05), and the replacement had a different "notches" on the connector.....
I had contacted the eBay seller and they refunded my purchase, and I ordered another camera which has the "notches" in the same places as my original camera (https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/393841141055).
Upon receiving this camera, I removed the existing camera with the cracked in the lense, and installed the new camera, which fitted in perfectly, however the display in the vehicle reported "Camera failure."
So back I go to the seller and report the issue, and they refund it saying it was likely faulty, and I re-order another (third time lucky..right?).... Apparently not, as when the 3rd camera arrived, same issue as the 2nd camera "Camera failure."

Has anyone successfully replaced a front surround camera in an X5 (G05) with an aftermarket (or even original camera), and if so, was any configuration/programming required to get the new camera functional?

[DaveDBD]

The camera will be replaced under warranty if the glued on black surround of the lense falls off. I’ve had three do so.

[BMWdriverfixer]

The link here is to a YouTube video I created when replacing the front surround view camera in my 2015 X5. I assume it's similar enough to be helpful. https://youtu.be/P0RQCAGvu90 Good luck! It was pretty easy to do.