Backup camera glows at night — the $0.50 fix on a 2020 Silverado
My 2020 Silverado's backup camera started glowing bright white at night after sitting in the sun for a week. Not a lens flare — the whole image turned milky, like someone turned up the brightness to 200%. Reverse lights came on fine, tailgate was latched, harness was plugged in.
Dealer quoted $180 for a new camera module. I figured I'd check the tailgate harness first — the rubber boot between the bed and the tailgate is a known failure point on this generation (2019-2024). Pulled the boot, found a broken wire on pin 16 (the video signal ground). The break was right at the hinge point where the harness bends every time you open the tailgate.
Soldered it back, wrapped with electrical tape, zip-tied the harness so it bends in a wider arc. Total cost: $0.50 for the solder. Camera's been crystal clear for 4 months now, day and night.
If your GM truck's backup camera acts up, check the tailgate harness first. 9 times out of 10 it's a broken ground wire, not a dead camera.