Life: how to replace blurry parking assist (back up) camera in CTS 2008-2013

I drive 2nd gen (2008-2013) Cadillac CTS sedan. About a week ago, the parking assist/back up camera got blurry and foggy.

First thing first. Wipe clean the lens. 

It didn't help.

Apparently some water got inside the camera. I decided to replace it.


(0) preparation

Replacement parts: Dorman OE solutions 590-956 Park Assist camera   (approx. $84)

Tools: minus screwdriver
          toolset with rachet,  with 10mm and 3/8 inch (? [forgot exact size]) screw sockets

Time: 15-30 min


(1) remove liner of trunk lid

The liner is fixed by several push tabs, two rubber knobs, a plastic cover for trunk ratch, and a plastic part with a handle.

Pull and remove push tabs. Slide, pull and remove rubber knobs. Pry, pull and remove ratch cover. The handle part has two doors that hide screws. Pry open the doors, and unscrew the hidden two 3/8 inch (?) screws. Then you can remove trunk lid liner.


(2) loosen chrome bar that houses back-up camera and license plate lights

There are four screws and two push-tabs that hold this part in place. Unscrew two 10mm screws from inside trunk lid. Then look at two license plate lights. Slide and remove these two license plate light housings. Then you can access to two hidden 3/8 inch (?) screws. Unscrew and remove them.

From inside trunk lid, you can see two plastic tabs with "minus" head. Push them with a minus screwdriver.

Now you should be able to pull away the chrome bar a bit (2-3 inches) from the trunk lid. There are cables and wiring inside the chrome bar; that is why you want to just loosen it. Don't risk damaging the cables by yanking the chrome bar off.


(3) remove old camera

The camera is connected to cables with a connector on your left. Disconnect the connector of the camera. Then check the camera part. There are two tabs that are holding the camera part in place. Use minus screwdriver to push these two tabs on the right and left sides. Pull the camera part toward outside and remove it.



(4) install new camera

Send the connector part in through the square window, then push the camera part in. Connect the connector to the cable. Secure wiring in place.


(5) Put back the chrome bar and test the new camera

Push back the chrome bar, while adjusting position of its water-resistant lining. Once the bar is in place, put back and tighten the four screws. Put license plate light housings back in.

Then, close the trunk lid, get in the car, turn on the engine and shift the lever to "back". Check the image on the rear-view mirror and its quality. (my car is non-navi, and backup camera image appears on OEM on-star rear-view mirror. Your setting may be different.) 

It should be good as new, or maybe even better than OEM camera. 


(6) Put back the trunk lid liner and you are done.



I searched this "how to install/replace back-up camera, Cadillac CTS 2008-2013 2nd gen sedan". There was no detailed DIY report or video. So here it is. For my own record and for 2nd gen CTS drivers who need to replace the camera.

Hope this helps.

[Old OEM camera]

If you are clueless about minor DIY on your car, BestBuy's Geek squad can install back-up camera for you. Or, just ask your dealership.

          

Science: Juggling projects in holiday season

11/11  sent out a revised manuscript.

11/12  wrote productivity report for 7/1/2018-6/30/2019 academic year. Updated CV.

11/13-18  preparing for a grant.

11/18  sent the grant package to internal routing and review; Productivity report evaluation meeting. preparing for a seminar.

upcoming:

11/19  230-400 program meeting.

11/20  Thanksgiving/Diwali lunch party.

.......

There are a bunch of ongoing projects. But I feel fine. According to a textbook for project management, a project has a goal and a deadline. You manage progress of the process, tasks, team and cost. All these for achieving the goal by the deadline without overspending and without killing the team. And only completed "project" counts. 

My ongoing projects do come with goals and deadlines. As long as we keep meeting them, the projects will be completed, and I feel good about it.

What I don't like is unfinished, suspended projects. Like unfinished books, when they pile up, they start emitting pressure. Yikes.


Upcoming holiday season is a good time to review all these projects and the status of each.


  ...well I sound like some kind of workaholic. Maybe I am. Haha.

Dance: Wear Tux or Adidas pants to check your leg lines

A tip for dancing practice.

Dance people are fussy about lines your body create. They want the lines to be long, nicely flowing and stretching, without bent, squeezed or crooked.

To know what I am talking here, you need a large mirror, and to wear tuxedo pants or Adidas pants. ...those pants with lines on the outer sides.

These pants really help you to see your leg lines in the mirror. 

Give this trick a try.




Revising the review manuscript is almost over. I sent the revised manuscript to our institutional editor, and awaiting her to weed out grammatical errors and funny sentences. Original plan was to send it back in 4-6 weeks. I'll make it.