Fix XC90 360 Front Blurry Camera

[Dixie]

I’ve just purchased a my16 Volvo XC90 and have noticed the 360 front camera is blurry which I’m certain wasn’t as bad when looking to buy the car. I’m hoping someone might have an idea on what might be the issue and how to fix it without having to spend £600 on a new one from Volvo? Photos attached of 360 view and front camera view.

We’ve cleaned it with some specialist plastic restorer used for hazed headlights and it hasn’t made any difference. So we are thinking that maybe it’s on the inside of the lens. The camera itself looks ok, it just looks like you’re looking through a dirty pair of glasses. All we really noticed previously was that the image was a bit greyer but now it’s really quite blurry, it’s been raining ever since, so we guess it could water ingress/condensation?

Any other tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[AB-UK]

Can you take it back to the dealer?

[Dixie]

I would definitely contact them before opting to buy a new one but it didn't look that bad, even in their photos etc, so not sure how helpful they'd be. It wasn't a main dealer either, but agree would definitely be worth a shot to speak to them. Thanks.

[Snoodini]

Originally Posted by Dixie

We’ve cleaned it with some specialist plastic restorer used for hazed headlights and it hasn’t made any difference.

It's too late for you but do NOT do this. the camera lenses have coatings on them to reduce haze, reflections and cut out UV which can reduce image contrast. It's the same sort of coatings that camera lenses have had for years and years.

plastic restorers are abrasive and it's almost certain that you have now polished off the lens coatings.

All the lens should need is a bit of soapy water and a wipe with a soft (microfibre ideally) cloth. If that is not enough then there is some underlying issue with it, possibly water inside the lens.

Edit: also, any particular reason you don't use the climate control on Auto?

[Dixie]

Ah ok, thanks for tip will remember that.

Just getting to grips with the infotainment at the moment, any particular benefits for having climate control on Auto? It wasn't a conscious decision.

[Snoodini]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Just getting to grips with the infotainment at the moment, any particular benefits for having climate control on Auto? It wasn't a conscious decision.

Auto will ramp up the fan speed when the temperature in the car is far off from the chosen temperature. It will then slow the fans down (i.e. it'll be quieter) to maintain the setpoint. It's but better to leave the car to its own devices to manage the air to reach the setpoint you choose.

When you have things set manually you cripple the car's ability to do this effectively.

the "Auto" fan speed options actually set an operation range rather than an absolute speed. The car then manages within this range of speed.

[Haldex]

I would think that the actual camera lens is glass- plastic just doesn't have good optical properties + it would get scratched after first couple of washes.. Either way - I think snoodini is right - you probably polished off whatever coating was factory applied to the lens. Look at ebay for a used unit.

[Dixie]

Thanks, do you know if it's quite a straightforward job to swap over? We've been looking on eBay and seen some on there just dubious about a used one in case it's blurry too. The fact the blurring was there before it was polished, could it be anything else, should we try to dry with cool hairdryer etc?

[Snoodini]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Thanks, do you know if it's quite a straightforward job to swap over? We've been looking on eBay and seen some on there just dubious about a used one in case it's blurry too. The fact the blurring was there before it was polished, could it be anything else, should we try to dry with cool hairdryer etc?

If it was me with the issue, I'd take the camera out and try to inspect the camera module. but if there is some moisture inside, condensation perhaps, it can be that you can't see any visible damage or cracking.

[Lexman8]

To check if it's condensation on the rear of the front lens, use a hairdryer on low heat to gently waft air from a distance across the lens. It could take a while but continue until the front of the lens becomes warmer than ambient temperature. If there's condensation there it should disperse, at least temporarily.

However, the condensation could be on the image sensor or some other lens component in which case it could take a long time to disperse, if at all.

The other possibility is that some part of the internal lens assembly has shifted. If so, it's probably needs replacing.