Principles of Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: The Smart Junction Box (SJB) is also known as the Generic Electronic Module (GEM).

NOTE: The liftgate must be closed for correct operation of the video camera system.

The rear video camera system is used to assist the driver while reversing or parking the vehicle. The video camera is located in the center of the liftgate mounted to the license plate housing. For vehicles without navigation, the image of the area behind the vehicle is displayed in the left portion of the auto-dimming interior mirror assembly. For vehicles with navigation, the image of the area behind the vehicle is displayed in the Audio Control Module (ACM). A dashed line on the displayed image represents the center of the vehicle and 3 color-coded lines (red, yellow, green) identify different zones between the rear of the vehicle and objects.

NOTE: The color-coded lines may not indicate accurate or consistent distances between objects located behind the vehicle and the rear of the vehicle. This normal condition is due to variances in vehicle ride height, including, but not limited to, vehicle loading.

For vehicles without navigation, the signal from the rear video camera is sent to the auto-dimming interior mirror display on a pair of shielded video circuits. For vehicles with navigation, the signal from the rear video camera is sent to the ACM on a pair of shielded video circuits. The displayed video image is horizontally inverted from that viewed from the video camera perspective to mimic a conventional mirror image.

The rear video camera system is active with the ignition in RUN and the transmission selector in the REVERSE (R) position. The video system has a delay feature for vehicles with navigation, that keeps the image displayed for a period of time depending on what type of display unit is available on the vehicle. For vehicles equipped with navigation, the image is displayed in the ACM until the vehicle reaches 8 km/h (5 mph) when in DRIVE (D) after shifting out of REVERSE (R) gear. The image will not be displayed if the vehicle is shifted into PARK (P).