Garmin BC40 Backup camera connection issues

Mine is also a couple of years old and works perfect fine on my DS55. I did do a reset on the DS55 once after a new map install and it deleted the BC40 camera alignment. What waste of time having to set it all up again. Check out this link, maybe it needs a software update?

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=wY6Vpo1K737BDEmcymzLCA

When I buy groceries there is one parking spot where my BC-40 won't connect if I back in.

At home I back into a long driveway and for a few days it wouldn't connect at the end of the driveway. None of the nearby neighbors had changed their Wi-Fi.

Without real facts I attribute these failures to interference. Is your problem only at one location? What happens when you hold your BC-40 near the GPS?

https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/bc40/EN-US/GUID-A1E7....

Specifically make sure you remove the batteries and then reinsert while within 5 feet. This forces a reset of the Bluetooth.

Thanks all for your advice and suggestions. I have tried all of your suggestions but no luck. It does not show video anywhere not just my driveway. Looks like it dead now?

Have you tried all of these below from the Garmin website:

The camera takes a long time to connect or does not connect

Your camera may have a weak wireless connection to your navigation device if it takes a long time to display video on the navigation device, if the video frequently pauses or buffers, or if the camera does not display video at all on your navigation device. Interference with the connection can be caused by other wireless signals, vehicle wiring, or structural elements of your vehicle.

You can try these options to help improve the stability of the wireless connection between your camera and your navigation device.

Move the navigation device to a different location on your dash or windshield.
Remove the camera from the mount, flip it upside down, and place it back into the mount.
When mounted with the Garmin® logo upside-down, the camera automatically flips the video the next time it connects to your navigation device to provide a correctly oriented image. Flipping the camera upside down changes the position of the wireless antenna and can improve the connection quality in some cases.

Mount the camera at a different location on your license plate.
For example, if your camera is mounted at the top of your license plate, you can try moving it to the bottom of the license plate, or vice-versa.

Try one or more of these options to reduce sources of Wi‑Fi® interference:
Set the wireless router in your home to use a channel other than channel 11.

The camera communicates with your navigation device using a 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi signal on channel 11. Reducing the number of nearby devices using the same channel can improve the wireless connection.

Turn off the Wi‑Fi radio on other devices in your car, such as your smartphone or mobile Wi‑Fi hotspot.

I have the same issue. I struggled for hours with all the suggestions; different locations; changing batteries and housings, all to no avail.

I finally gave up and put it back in its box. It lasted for two years and now it just won't connect.

It is interesting that two people in this thread that have had issues, rookie8155 & chickenhawks, both are from Canada and Garmin specifically recommends lithium batteries in cold climates. So maybe just a longshot but make sure your batteries are either the correct ones or at least warm when trying to make the connection.

I used brand new lithium batteries and they would previously last months. But one day it just suddenly stopped connecting, and I could never get it working again. I tried it at every distance possible, on and off the vehicle, and on hot days and cold. No difference.

It just became a lot of money to spend on a new one with minimal benefits and no guarantees a new one would work. I just gave up. (And I am the world's most prolific tinkerer, and it is rare to just give up for me.)

Thanks all for your advice and feedback. Looks like this camera is dead. I have always used lithium batteries for this camera from day one. So it is not a battery issue but something else. I don't want to buy another one again. It lasted only 2-3 years.

It is likely the problem is with the GPS itself. Try a full factory reset. That will make everything just like new.

Call Gamin to find out how to do it for your GPS. They helped me do it and fixed a problem I couldn't solve.

But, remember the GPS will be just like it left the factory. All your Saved Places, etc. will be gone. Just make sure you backup everything with GE before you start.

You will have to set up the BC 40 again after the reset.

Hope that helps.

The manual on page 21 states "Resetting the Device
You can reset your device if it stops functioning.
Hold the power key for 12 seconds."

Having said that, the Garmin website has other directions at https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=qg44KCGmEk0CqPVNU5ECi7.... Go down near the bottom and click on Master Reset where it reads "Start with the device turned off and unplugged from power

To verify the device is powered off and not in standby mode, press and hold down the power button until prompted to turn off the device
Power on the device

When the first copyright screen appears press and hold the lower right-hand corner of the display portion of the touchscreen
Remove your finger from the touchscreen when "Erase all user data?" appears

Touch Yes

The device will automatically reset. Follow the on-screen prompts to set your locale and then place your device in an area with a clear view of the sky until it acquires satellites.

Note: A master reset may erase the data that is used to locate satellites. Your device may take 3-5 minutes to acquire a satellite signal while outdoors after updating the software or performing a master reset.

If you need the manual, go to https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart51-61/EN-U...

Thanks for your advice again. Today, when I was testing it again I got message that camera batteries are depleted. These were new batteries I used from my stock. I am going to buy new lithium batteries today and try it again..

Make sure you clean the camera battery contacts with a nail file and an alcohol wipe before inserting the new batteries.

I've seen noticeable corrosion on mine when replacing dead batteries.

Update: I purchased new batteries and replaced them but it still gives same message that batteries are depleted. I will call Garmin. today as a last resort.

I think the unit takes (2) batteries. Probably a stupid suggestion on my part, but be sure they are installed with the correct polarity.

Yes indeed. If batteries are not installed properly then Blutooth will not kick in. It pairs with Garmin unit but does not show video.

The Garmin manual says that when you insert batteries the BC-40 is automatically placed in pairing mode and this is indicated by a flashing blue LED. Pairing mode is sustained for about 5 minutes during which you have to do the connection from the navigation device. Do you get the flashing blue LED?

Yes, there is no problem in Bluetooth pairing. I have paired it at least twenty times in the last one week or so. The issue is video. It does not show video, it tries to load it then gives error. So the issue is video, Bluetooth paring still works.

If you connect the DS 61 to Garmin Express, dies it show any applicable “Optional Updates”?

No, there are no optional updates available for this device.

You might want to read the content at https://www.gpscity.com/questions?qid=74905. One thing of interest is the last post in the thread where the individual set his GPS back to factory defaults, then updated everything, and then his camera worked properly.

I highly recommend doing that. A master reset is a lot of trouble, but solves a host of problems.

With the GPS in factory condition all troubleshooting is easier and can let Garmin identify any real problems if the reset didn't fix the problem.

Thanks John and Wil01 for your suggestions. I will attempt factory reset on my Garmin DriveSmart 61. I have to figure out on how to do factory reset on this device. The one I always do is juts data erase which I think does not reset everything.

PS: I have already tried erase data option unfortunately without any success.

There is a link earlier in this thread that gives instructions for a master reset.

Good Luck!

The manual is at https://s.eet.eu/icmedia/mmo_35784563_1486043523_1518_1841.p.... Reset is covered on page 21 (as the manual is numbered) but just seems to be holding down the power button for 12 seconds.

Thank you so much for your help and finding the information. Unfortunately, holding the power button for 12 only reboots the device and does not do any reset. Looks like Garmin did not provide correct information here.

Thank you so much for your help and finding the information. Unfortunately, holding the power button for 12 only reboots the device and does not do any reset. Looks like Garmin did not provide correct information here.

Try the procedure I also found and posted Friday 2/18, should be near the top of the page.

Check out this video.

https://youtu.be/o6vzEFkItS0

Something else you can play with that may help.

https://youtu.be/OgCOeyp6MUM

Thanks jackrabbit000 for your advice.
Today, I called Garmin Support. After discussing with me everything I did so far, he could not offer anymore support on this issue but he offered replacement camera for $120 Canadian. The condition that I have to ship my defective camera first. Now, I have to decide, should I go for it or not?
What you guys think?

A search on eBay seems to indicate CA $120 is a decent but not great deal. See https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=garmin+bc+40+w.... A new unit can be had for US$ 145 at https://g.factoryoutletstore.com/details/702103/garmin-bc-40.... But what if you buy a new unit and it doesn't work, indicating the GPS "receiver" has a fault of some type?

On the "replacement", you likely will get a refurbished unit if that matters. I don’t have direct experience with a Garmin refurb, but othewise my experiences with refurb electronics has been good.

The safety value of the BC-40 camera has become so important to me that I would be forced to take the offer if I didn't have another backup option.

You have two devices that can't communicate so it probably is worthwhile checking the Bluetooth on the DS 61 with a smartphone to make sure the problem isn't with the DS 61.

There is no Bluetooth issue because both devices pair without any issue. It is the video which is not showing on Garmin DS61.

Thanks both of you on your thoughts on re-purchasing this camera.

Personally, I would go for it. Let us know what happens. Mine was exactly the same as yours, and I tried EVERYTHING suggested, including the full factory reset. It paired okay but would never show video. It said "batteries depleted" same as yours. It worked one day and not the next.

Let me know if the replacement works fine, because I think I will do the same.

Yes, sure I will let you guys know soon.

Had a 30 backup cam mounted on the vehicle number plate and after a some time it did the same - no video. Garmin Support was of no help, because I did not buy it directly from Garmin..
Decided to buy another and try it (if the same problem then I would return it); that one worked, so I guessed that it most likely was a lens problem.
Now I mount the new back upcam IN the vehicle, it gives about the same view as if on the vehicle plate.

Yes, I agree