Hi, welcome to the forum.

I'm in the process of a Sync 2 to 3 upgrade myself. Where did you buy the kit from- is it one of the pre programmed kits where they've reprogrammed it to suit your vehicle's VIN?

There are previous threads on adding a camera, a recent one was for the same year model. IIRC there was no camera fitted then on any model- so the wiring won't be there.

 

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Thanks!

Where did you buy the kit from- is it one of the pre programmed kits where they've reprogrammed it to suit your vehicle's VIN?

I bought it from Ebay & yes, I believe so. The asked for my VIN & said that it comes pre-programmed. Reviews say that they've got great online customer service, too. I hope all of that is true!

There are previous threads on adding a camera, a recent one was for the same year model. IIRC there was no camera fitted then on any model- so the wiring won't be there.

I looked for threads about cameras, but couldn't find them. It's possible that I just don't know what to search for. I shall have to try harder!

Thanks again for your reply!

 

No problems, the search sometimes isn't the best. Here you go

https://www.fordescape.org/threads/advice-on-aftermarket-backup-camera.125294/

https://www.fordescape.org/threads/adding-back-up-camera-to-an-upgraded-sync3-on-a-2013fe.123895/

I hope they've done the programming on your kit better than the place I bought mine from! I've got a few issues with the climate control screen.

 

No problems, the search sometimes isn't the best. Here you go

Thanks!

I hope they've done the programming on your kit better than the place I bought mine from! I've got a few issues with the climate control screen.

Yikes! I hope so too! 🤞

 

Climate control issues with Sync 3.0 upgrades on the 2013-2015 Escape aren't uncommon.
Even if the config is right, a car with auto climate control will have the AC on button show the opposite of the current state. Its due to Ford changing the climate repeater firmware after 2015 for compatibility with Sync3.
The unit has to be jailbroken to "fix" that.
Ford stopped displaying climate on the Sync3 screen from the factory in 2017 3G Escape.

 

I have watched several video tutorials on installing the SYNC 3 upgrade. It looks simple enough, BUT since my car doesn't have the camera wiring harness, I am also considering buying a CJ5Z-13412-B wiring harness (see attached pic) to install when I do the SYNC 3 upgrade.

Right now, my big question is where does the red end plug in? (see other attached pic)

... aaaaand now that I've typed that out, it occurs to me 🤦‍♀️ that my car SHOULD already have the CJ5Z-13412-A harness, and so I would remove that & replace it with the CJ5Z-13412-B harness and plug the B harness in where the A harness was plugged in. Is that correct?

TIA for any confirmation, advice, BOLOs, etc!

 

My guess is you'd require more than just that harness. It appears to just be the end section for the cargo area or tailgate. Although that listing says it fits, if there were no cameras fitted back then the remainder of the loom to the front of the vehicle may not be compatible?

 

Yeah, that's what I'm wondering about. I can find almost no information about whether or not this will work. I'll keep digging.

Worse comes to worst, I'll just get a third-party camera & have Best Buy install it or something. I was hoping to make it work with OEM stuff. Ah, well.

 

Going by a post on one of the linked threads earlier on you won't have the looms required.:

I installed a backup camera on my 2013 SEL last year and can tell you a few things.

As far as mounting the camera is concerned, OEM camera hardware will only “drop in” if you have a lift gate trim piece that is camera compatible (has the cutout for the camera mounting plate and the threaded screw hole for holding the camera in place). 2013 FE’s without the camera don’t have the cutout. You can probably find used camera compatible trim (chrome or paint matched) from a 2014-2016 FE that’s in a scrap yard, eBay, etc.

Your FE likely won’t have the full wiring set up required for an OEM camera (because it didn’t need to be there). Mine doesn’t. It may also be missing the camera module.

Personally, I installed an aftermarket camera but because I wanted the most OEM looking thing possible, I purchased one that allowed me to drill a hole in my existing lift gate trim and flush mount. It was way cheaper and easier than it would have been for me to try rigging up an OEM camera and I’m overall quite pleased with the results. I tapped the reverse light for power, routed the video wire all the way behind the screen, then tapped the appropriate APIM wires (mine had the pins filled, some may not).

I have Sync2 and just had to reprogram via FORScan to get the camera feed enabled on the display. From what jpohlman has said, it might be more involved to get your Sync3 working.

https://www.fordescape.org/threads/adding-back-up-camera-to-an-upgraded-sync3-on-a-2013fe.123895/

 

Going by a post on one of the linked threads earlier on you won't have the looms required.:

https://www.fordescape.org/threads/adding-back-up-camera-to-an-upgraded-sync3-on-a-2013fe.123895/

Thank you for the link, but OMG I swear I searched the 3rd Generation Escape (2013-2019) > 3G Electronics, Audio, and Lighting forum for this exact scenario! 🤦‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️ 🤦‍♀️ I'm not just asking questions without having looked for an answer myself!

Sigh.

 

It gets confusing.

The adapter like this one seems to be your best option For Ford 54 Pin SYNC 2 Or SYNC 3 With For Rearview Camera Adapter Cable | eBay , using an aftermarket camera. Plus you'll have to do changes with ForScan to enable the camera.

 

It gets confusing.

The adapter like this one seems to be your best option For Ford 54 Pin SYNC 2 Or SYNC 3 With For Rearview Camera Adapter Cable | eBay , using an aftermarket camera. Plus you'll have to do changes with ForScan to enable the camera.

I've been taking notes as I researched & had flagged this as a thing I will need:

Backup Camera Programmer / Harness for Ford Vehicles

In stock Ford SYNC® Upgrades, Navigation Equipment, Camera Kits, USB CD Players & Accessories. Same Day Free Shipping. 1 Year Warranty & Free Returns.

www.4dtech.com

Flash Programmer & Harness A ($149.99)

 

That should save you from having to change settings using ForScan - it can be a bit daunting the first time. You might want to ask them what camera video signal format it will work with- it may be in that other thread or @jpohlman is likely to know?

You can get different resolution cameras and also different video signal formats they output. Get the wrong type and it won't work.

 

You can get different resolution cameras and also different video signal formats they output. Get the wrong type and it won't work.

Oh gosh, I didn't know that. Thanks so much for your info!

 

The 2013 camera is unique!! a 2014> 2019 camera won't work on a 2013
I ended up buying an OEM camera!! Cost me close to $300.00

 

So, I have the Sync2-3 conversion kit, I got the 4dTech harness & programmer a couple of days ago, and I've ordered this camera (screenshot included below for when the link eventually no longer works), which should arrive on Tuesday. (I'll have to drill a hole in the trim piece, but that's ok, I wanted a camera that looked like it could be OEM.)

HOWEVER, last Wednesday (2 weeks after I bought the car!) I rear ended someone in stop & go traffic (nobody was hurt, thankfully!) and now my car is in the shop. They are hoping to get it finished by the 15th 🤞 & I am moving house to another city on the 17th, so I won't be able to install the stuff until after we've moved.

My plan is to do the Sync2-3 install first, including the harness insert, and make sure it all works as it should -- the company I bought it from includes free tech support & any needed programming -- and then plug in the camera & use the flash programmer to get it going.

After it's all installed & programmed, I will report back to the forum how it all went.

 

That looks like the exact camera I got, just in chrome because my back piece is chrome. Sounds like you have all your bases covered. You will love having this added modern feature and the camera. It honestly wasn't a bad install job at all. The worst part was running the camera wire from the rear to the front of the car. Good luck can't wait to see the final result.