Adding a Direct Camera Switch For Lariat/Platinum Lightning

bmwhitetx · Nov 28, 2022

A really bright guy over on the Mach-E forum has figured out how to add a button (or repurpose the Park Assist button) to enable the cameras. This would be handy when parking since the camera view only comes up after you trigger a sensor. Of course you can also bring them up by pressing a few times on the screen but that's not as handy. The 12" screen trims (Pro/XLT) have a physical button already.

It looks like this could be done on the the Lightning. Does anyone know where the IPMA module is located on the Lariat?

Here's the DIY post for the Mach-E: https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/adding-a-direct-camera-switch-diy-how-to-instructions.23728/

ResidualJinx · Nov 30, 2022

I'm pretty sure it's under the left side of the dash and accessible without removing any trim:

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-screen-for-camera-possible.12609/post-271279

I think he ended up posting on the thread on this side too recently, great dude!

I'm not home right now, but this is mod focus number one as soon as I get home!! Hopefully we're able to do it as easily as they were

Ford F-150 Lightning Adding a Direct Camera Switch For Lariat/Platinum Lightning 1669808739879

petemill · Nov 30, 2022

See my post here for details on wiring and module location https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-screen-for-camera-possible.12609/post-271279

bmwhitetx · Nov 30, 2022

petemill said:
See my post here for details on wiring and module location https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-screen-for-camera-possible.12609/post-271279

Thank you. Do you still have access to the wiring diagrams? If so, is it possible to confirm that the Park Assist button goes to the other IPMA connector (24-pin, may be GRN/BRN). Here is what Mark wrote on the Mach-E forum:

If you want to use the Park Aid switch to activate the cameras, you will still need to install a pin connector/wire in position 10 of the black 20 pin connector at the IPMA. There is a black 24 pin connector at the IPMA, find the Green wire with a Brown stripe [this is from the Park Assist button] and cut the wire a couple of inches from the connector in case you want to reattach at a later time. Attach this Green/Brown wire to the pin/wire you installed in position 10 of the 20 pin connector. Now the Park Aid switch will activate the cameras and you don't need to run any wires to the front of the car to do this.

joesrepsol · Nov 30, 2022

Could be easily solved with the ability to customize frequently used icons or something like that. Would be great to move the camera to somewhere on the main/primary screen for easy access..

petemill · Nov 30, 2022

joesrepsol said:
Could be easily solved with the ability to customize frequently used icons or something like that. Would be great to move the camera to somewhere on the main/primary screen for easy access..

That would still require waiting for the sync system to boot up before you can turn on the camera. But with the physical button you don't need to wait. The camera is actually an overlay on the screen from a different source than Sync.

joesrepsol · Dec 2, 2022

Even in my Raptor, with a physical button, you still had to wait for some of the system to boot up to use the forward camera, etc. Definitely was not instantaneous like the backup camera... just sayin.

drummer · Dec 2, 2022

@Ford Motor Company I hope you are paying attention here!! This is a badly needed safety feature. My 2018 Raptor had a hard button like this and I used it every time I pulled into a parking spot. My 2022 lightning requires 2 clicks on a touchscreen and a system that responds at a snails pace. We need a soft button in all that unused space at the top of the screen that shortcuts to the camera view!! Please and thank you.

mrcoolgli · Dec 8, 2022

My Audi e-tron had this and my raptor. I bet they add it as a soft button. They need to.

alockbox · Dec 8, 2022

The moment a definitive guide comes up for the hardware button, I'm doing this. I need it.

Traconesu · Oct 19, 2023

bmwhitetx said:
A really bright guy over on the Mach-E forum has figured out how to add a button (or repurpose the Park Assist button) to enable the cameras. This would be handy when parking since the camera view only comes up after you trigger a sensor. Of course you can also bring them up by pressing a few times on the screen but that's not as handy. The 12" screen trims (Pro/XLT) have a physical button already.

It looks like this could be done on the the Lightning. Does anyone know where the IPMA module is located on the Lariat?

Here's the DIY post for the Mach-E: https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/adding-a-direct-camera-switch-diy-how-to-instructions.23728/

One of my updates put a camera button at the top of my platinum screen, which allows you to instantly pull up cameras without scrolling thru a bunch of screens.

bmwhitetx · Oct 19, 2023

Traconesu said:
One of my updates put a camera button at the top of my platinum screen, which allows you to instantly pull up cameras without scrolling thru a bunch of screens.

Yep, back in January there was a sync update that added the much-requested camera button to the main screen - making this mod from last year unnecessary. I think everyone has the new interface by now that wants it. Some don't - like my son - he didn't like that the new interface reduced the size of the bottom row of tiles causing them to show less information. So he turned off updates and still has the old UI on his Mach E. To each his own!

Adding a Direct Camera Switch For Lariat/Platinum Lightning

bmwhitetx

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petemill

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bmwhitetx

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petemill

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