Front view camera installation

Mambomn · 01-22-2014, 08:10 AM

Thanks to everyone for all their input.

Went to a local authorized Kenwood dealer yesterday and had all the equipment installed. For the rear camera, installed the Kenwood CMOS-310 and it works great and the installation looks OEM. For the front, after inspecting the car, the dealer told me that it was not a difficult install and that they would run the wires along the driver's side, through the existing wiring access in the firewall, and to the front. For this, they first used the Kenwood CMOS-210, but after it was installed, I noticed the reverse image and asked them to change it to the proper camera>>>they switched to the Audiovox ACA400, which has the normal image option. The Audiovox camera looks Ok, though it lacks the guidelines and clarity of the Kenwood model thus making it less convenient. With the DNX-890HD, I can control both cameras from the touch screen making it very easy to toggle between both cameras as well as control the multi-views from the CMOS-310.

If I had to do it over again, I would use the CMOS-310 in the front due to the multi-views function and the on-screen guidelines, which are more convenient for parking. The install was relatively quick (3 hours + 1 hour for the front camera redo), but the dealer still charged $580.00 for the labor including the Audiovox front camera ($100). However, considering that this is a well known Kenwood dealer, I was a little bit surprised that they installed the CMOS-210 in the front knowing the reverse image issue (I even mentioned it to them when they recommended this model, but they insisted that it was ok).

Unfortunately, after I returned home, I noticed a loud mechanical sound coming from the back of the HU

. The sound is constant and appears whenever I turn the unit on until 5 seconds after I turn it off. I called Kenwood to see what the issue may be and they advised to take it back to the installer and check for lose wiring, interference, or improper grounding. My plan is to go back to the dealer today and see what is causing this noise; hopefully, it's an easy fix and does not involve the unit itself. Otherwise, I will have to get the unit exchanged from Crutchfield and have it installed once again

If I have to install a replacement HU, does anyone know if the AXXESS wheel control adapter has to be reprogrammed again or would it be a simple play and plug since it was already programmed to the Kenwood receiver?

I will take some pics after I get back from the dealer showing the install and camera locations. Hopefully, all issues can be resolved without having to replace the unit or incur any additional labor costs. Besides the annoying noise, the unit is fast, sounds great, and all the features work well (cameras, Nav, BT, HD radio).

Mambomn · 01-22-2014, 04:44 PM

Just came back from the kenwood dealer and confirmed that it's a problem with the HU as the constant loud fan noise continues even once the unit is out of the car. I called Crutchfield and they will send me a new replacement unit to switch out this weekend. The Crutchfield tech told me that it should be an easy replacement as all that needs to be done is to connect the existing wires and switches to the new HU; he also mentioned that it should not be necessary to reprogram the AXXESS steering wheel adapter as it's already programmed to work with the Kenwood DNX-890HD model.

The journey continues, but hopefully I'll get it working problem free by this weekend.

01-22-2014, 08:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mambomn Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 14 Drives: Nissan 300zxtt Rep Power: 12	Thanks to everyone for all their input. Went to a local authorized Kenwood dealer yesterday and had all the equipment installed. For the rear camera, installed the Kenwood CMOS-310 and it works great and the installation looks OEM. For the front, after inspecting the car, the dealer told me that it was not a difficult install and that they would run the wires along the driver's side, through the existing wiring access in the firewall, and to the front. For this, they first used the Kenwood CMOS-210, but after it was installed, I noticed the reverse image and asked them to change it to the proper camera>>>they switched to the Audiovox ACA400, which has the normal image option. The Audiovox camera looks Ok, though it lacks the guidelines and clarity of the Kenwood model thus making it less convenient. With the DNX-890HD, I can control both cameras from the touch screen making it very easy to toggle between both cameras as well as control the multi-views from the CMOS-310. If I had to do it over again, I would use the CMOS-310 in the front due to the multi-views function and the on-screen guidelines, which are more convenient for parking. The install was relatively quick (3 hours + 1 hour for the front camera redo), but the dealer still charged $580.00 for the labor including the Audiovox front camera ($100). However, considering that this is a well known Kenwood dealer, I was a little bit surprised that they installed the CMOS-210 in the front knowing the reverse image issue (I even mentioned it to them when they recommended this model, but they insisted that it was ok). Unfortunately, after I returned home, I noticed a loud mechanical sound coming from the back of the HU . The sound is constant and appears whenever I turn the unit on until 5 seconds after I turn it off. I called Kenwood to see what the issue may be and they advised to take it back to the installer and check for lose wiring, interference, or improper grounding. My plan is to go back to the dealer today and see what is causing this noise; hopefully, it's an easy fix and does not involve the unit itself. Otherwise, I will have to get the unit exchanged from Crutchfield and have it installed once again If I have to install a replacement HU, does anyone know if the AXXESS wheel control adapter has to be reprogrammed again or would it be a simple play and plug since it was already programmed to the Kenwood receiver? I will take some pics after I get back from the dealer showing the install and camera locations. Hopefully, all issues can be resolved without having to replace the unit or incur any additional labor costs. Besides the annoying noise, the unit is fast, sounds great, and all the features work well (cameras, Nav, BT, HD radio). 370Z JT likes this.

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01-22-2014, 04:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mambomn Base Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 14 Drives: Nissan 300zxtt Rep Power: 12	Just came back from the kenwood dealer and confirmed that it's a problem with the HU as the constant loud fan noise continues even once the unit is out of the car. I called Crutchfield and they will send me a new replacement unit to switch out this weekend. The Crutchfield tech told me that it should be an easy replacement as all that needs to be done is to connect the existing wires and switches to the new HU; he also mentioned that it should not be necessary to reprogram the AXXESS steering wheel adapter as it's already programmed to work with the Kenwood DNX-890HD model. The journey continues, but hopefully I'll get it working problem free by this weekend.