Rexing Parking Mode Not Working: Your Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide

Struggling to get your Rexing dash cam’s parking mode to actually work when your car is off? You’re definitely not alone on this one, my friend. It’s a common frustration when that crucial 24/7 surveillance suddenly decides to take a break. The good news is, most of the time, it’s not a broken dash cam, but rather a hiccup in the setup or settings. We’re going to walk through everything from the power source to those tricky little settings to get your Rexing parking mode up and running perfectly. By the end of this, you’ll be a parking mode pro, making sure your ride is protected even when you’re not around. Let’s get into it!

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Understanding Rexing Parking Mode: Your Car’s Silent Guardian

Before we dig into fixing things, let’s quickly chat about what Rexing parking mode actually is and why it’s such a big deal. Essentially, parking mode transforms your dash cam from a recording device for when you’re driving into a vigilant security camera for when your car is parked and the engine is off. Imagine leaving your car in a busy lot or on the street, knowing that if anything happens—a bump, a scratch, even a break-in attempt—your dash cam is quietly capturing evidence. That’s the peace of mind parking mode offers.

Rexing dash cams typically offer a few different ways their parking mode kicks in:

• Impact Detection G-sensor: This is probably the most common one. Your dash cam has a built-in G-sensor that detects sudden impacts or vibrations. If someone bumps your car, a door dings it, or worse, the camera wakes up and records a short, locked video clip. Rexing suggests setting the G-sensor to a high sensitivity for parking mode recording to ensure it captures even minor incidents.
• Motion Detection: Some Rexing models, especially with certain hardwire kits, can detect movement around your vehicle. If a person or another car moves within the camera’s field of view, it triggers a recording. This is super helpful in parking lots where someone might walk too close or an adjacent car might cause a problem.
• Time-Lapse Recording: This mode records continuously but at a very low frame rate like 1, 2, or 5 frames per second, condensing hours of footage into short, easily reviewable clips. It uses less storage and power than full continuous recording but still gives you a complete overview of what happened.

For any of these parking modes to work, your dash cam absolutely needs a constant power source, even when your car’s engine is off. This is where a dedicated hardwire kit comes into play, connecting your dash cam directly to your car’s fuse box. Without it, your dash cam just shuts down with the car, and your parking mode dreams quickly fade.

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Why Your Rexing Parking Mode Might Be Acting Up: Common Culprits

you understand how awesome parking mode is, but it’s just not working for you. Let’s break down the most common reasons why your Rexing parking mode might be refusing to cooperate. Most of the time, the fix is simpler than you’d think! Your Ultimate Guide to the Rexing P2 1080p FHD Body Video Camera

1. Power Supply Problems: The Most Common Issue

Honestly, if your parking mode isn’t working, the very first place to look is almost always the power. Your dash cam needs a constant, reliable power supply to monitor your vehicle when the engine is off.

• No Hardwire Kit or Incorrect Hardwire Kit: This is a big one. If you’re just plugging your Rexing dash cam into the cigarette lighter socket, it’s designed to turn off when the car does. For parking mode, you need a Rexing smart hardwire kit or a compatible alternative. If you have a hardwire kit but it’s an older “regular” one, it might not support the intelligent parking mode features.
• Incorrect Hardwire Kit Installation: Even with the right kit, wrong connections are a frequent culprit. A standard hardwire kit usually has three wires:
  • Yellow/Red Constant Power/B+: This wire needs to be connected to a fuse that always has power, even when the car is off. This is your dash cam’s lifeline for parking mode.
  • Red/Yellow Accessory/ACC: This wire connects to a fuse that only gets power when your car’s ignition is on. This tells the dash cam when the car is running versus parked.
  • Black Ground: This simply connects to a bare metal bolt on your car’s chassis to complete the circuit.
    If your constant power wire yellow/red is connected to an accessory fuse, your dash cam will shut off with the car, effectively disabling parking mode. A bent fuse or a loose connection can also cause power issues.
• Low Voltage Cut-Off Settings: Hardwire kits often have a low voltage cut-off feature to protect your car battery from draining completely. If this is set too high, or your car battery is already a bit weak, the dash cam might shut down prematurely to save your car battery, even if there’s still enough juice to record. Some older or cheaper kits might have a preset cut-off as low as 11.6V, which is actually too low and can lead to a dead battery. It’s better to aim for 12.0V or 12.2V.

2. Incorrect Dash Cam Settings

Sometimes, the hardware is fine, but the software isn’t told what to do!

• Parking Mode Not Enabled: Sounds obvious, right? But sometimes in the rush, we forget to actually turn on the “Parking Monitor” or “Parking Mode” setting in the dash cam’s menu. On Rexing V1 and V1P, for instance, you’ll find it under “Parking Monitor” in the Video Menu.
• G-Sensor/Motion Detection Sensitivity: If your parking mode isn’t triggering, the sensitivity for impact G-sensor or motion detection might be set too low. Rexing generally suggests a high sensitivity for parking mode. If it’s too high, though, you might get a lot of false alerts from slight breezes or passing traffic.
• Parking Mode Timers: Some dash cams have a parking mode timer that limits how long the camera stays in parking mode. If this is set to a short duration, it could explain why it’s not working for extended periods.

3. Firmware Issues

Firmware is like the dash cam’s operating system. Bugs or outdated versions can sometimes cause features like parking mode to malfunction. Many Rexing models, including V1 and V1P, received parking mode as a feature through firmware updates.

4. SD Card Problems

Believe it or not, your SD card plays a huge role in parking mode performance.

• Corrupted or Full SD Card: If your card is full or corrupted, the dash cam can’t save new recordings, meaning parking mode might fail to store any events.
• Incorrect SD Card Type: Dash cams put a lot of stress on SD cards with constant recording and overwriting. You need a high-endurance microSD card like Samsung PRO Endurance or SanDisk High Endurance specifically designed for dash cams. Regular consumer-grade cards can wear out quickly and lead to recording errors.
• Formatting Issues: Cards need to be regularly formatted, preferably in the dash cam itself, to ensure optimal performance and prevent file corruption. Rexing advises formatting new microSD cards upon insertion.

5. Dash Cam Hardware Malfunction

While less common, sometimes the dash cam itself might have a fault, like a defective G-sensor or an internal component issue. If you’ve tried everything else, this might be the case. Understanding the Rexing P1 Body Camera

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Your Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide for Rexing Parking Mode

Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and get your Rexing dash cam’s parking mode working like a charm. We’ll go through these steps just like I would if I were sitting in your car with you.

Step 1: Verify Your Power Source & Hardwire Kit Installation

This is hands-down the most crucial step. Without proper, constant power, parking mode simply can’t exist.

1. Confirm You Have a Smart Hardwire Kit:

   • First, double-check if you actually have a dedicated hardwire kit. If you’re using the cigarette lighter adapter, your dash cam is designed to power off with the car. Rexing dash cams need a Rexing Type-C Smart Hardwire Kit sold separately for parking mode. Some older models might have come with a “regular” hardwire kit that doesn’t fully support all parking monitor features, so a “smart” one is key.
   • If you’re seeing a message like “purchase a smart hardwire kit” even though you think you have one, Rexing’s support once indicated this can sometimes be a pre-installation message to prevent using the wrong kit. However, if you can’t activate parking mode at all, something’s still off.

2. Inspect Your Hardwire Kit Connections This is where a multimeter comes in handy!: Your Ultimate Guide to Rexing Dash Cam Manuals: Setup, Features, & Troubleshooting

   • Constant Power Yellow/Red Wire: This needs to be connected to a fuse in your car’s fuse box that is always hot, meaning it has 12V power even when the car is completely off. Things like your hazard lights, dome lights, or certain always-on power outlets are good candidates. Use a multimeter to test fuses in your fuse box. if you see 12V with the ignition off, that’s your constant power.
   • Accessory Power Red/Yellow Wire: This wire should be connected to a fuse that only gets power when your car’s ignition is on or in the ACC position. This tells your dash cam when to switch between driving mode and parking mode. Fuses for your radio, wipers, or power windows are often good choices. Test with the ignition on 12V and off 0V.
   • Ground Black Wire: This wire needs to be securely fastened to a bare metal bolt on your car’s chassis. Make sure it’s making good contact and isn’t attached to painted metal or plastic. A solid ground is essential for the circuit to work.
   • Check Fuse Taps: If you’re using fuse taps which you should be for a clean install, make sure they’re inserted correctly and the fuses are seated properly. A bent fuse or loose connection can interrupt power.
3. Consider an OBD Power Cable or Battery Pack Optional but helpful:

   • If you’re really intimidated by fuse boxes or want a simpler installation, an OBD constant power cable plugs directly into your car’s OBD-II port usually under the dash, in cars from 1996 onwards and can provide constant power. They often include low voltage protection.
   • For extended parking mode duration without draining your car’s battery, a dedicated dash cam battery pack like a Cellink NEO is an excellent solution. These act as an independent power source for your dash cam in parking mode, charging when your car is on and powering the dash cam when it’s off. This is especially useful if you often leave your car parked for long periods.

4. Adjust Low Voltage Cut-Off Settings:

   • Most smart hardwire kits have adjustable low voltage cut-off settings, often via small switches on the control box. You typically want to set this higher than the default 11.6V which can lead to a dead battery. Aim for 12.0V or 12.2V to protect your car battery while allowing sufficient parking mode time. This setting ensures your dash cam powers down before it completely drains your car’s battery, leaving you stranded.

Step 2: Check Your Dash Cam Settings

Once you’re confident in your power supply, dive into the dash cam’s menu.

1. Enable Parking Monitor/Mode:
   • Go into your Rexing dash cam’s menu you might need to stop recording first to access the full menu.
   • Look for “Video Menu” or “System Settings” and then find “Parking Monitor” or “Parking Mode.” Make sure this setting is turned ON.
   • Crucial Note for Rexing R4/M2 models: Some manuals explicitly state, “Please DO NOT ENABLE the Parking Monitor function in the settings of the dash cam WITHOUT connecting a smart hardwire kit. They may cause a malfunction.” So if you don’t have the hardwire kit, leave it off!
2. Adjust G-Sensor Sensitivity:
   • Within the parking mode settings, you’ll usually find options for “G-Sensor Sensitivity” or “Gravity Sensing Record.”
   • For parking mode, Rexing generally recommends setting this to High sensitivity to ensure minor impacts are detected. If it’s too low, small bumps won’t trigger recording. Test it out by gently rocking your car after you think it’s set up to see if it triggers.
3. Review Motion Detection Settings If Applicable:
   • If your model and hardwire kit support motion detection, check its sensitivity too. Be aware that in busy areas, very high motion sensitivity can lead to many unnecessary recordings and fill up your SD card faster.
4. Consider Time-Lapse Mode:
   • If you’re having trouble with G-sensor or motion detection, or just want continuous coverage with less data, try enabling time-lapse parking mode if your dash cam offers it. It’s generally a very stable and power-efficient option.

Step 3: Update Your Dash Cam’s Firmware

Outdated firmware can lead to all sorts of weird issues, including parking mode glitches.

1. Check for Updates: Visit the official Rexing USA support website rexingusa.com/support for your specific dash cam model. They often have a “Firmware” or “Downloads” section.
2. Download and Install: Follow Rexing’s instructions carefully for downloading and installing the latest firmware. This usually involves downloading a file to an SD card, inserting it into the dash cam, and powering it on.
   • Heads up: Firmware updates can sometimes be a bit tricky. Users have reported issues like continuous reboots after an update. If this happens, try removing the SD card and restarting the camera, then reformatting the card.

Step 4: Perform an SD Card Check-Up

Your memory card is where all those crucial parking mode videos are stored, so it needs to be in top shape. Power Up Your Protection: The Ultimate Guide to Rexing OBD Hardwire Kits

1. Use a High-Endurance Card: This is non-negotiable for dash cams, especially with parking mode. Invest in a Samsung PRO Endurance or SanDisk High Endurance microSD card. These are designed to withstand the constant read/write cycles of dash cam recording. Standard cards will fail quickly.
2. Capacity Matters: For parking mode, larger capacities like 128GB or 256GB are recommended. More capacity means more footage can be stored before it starts overwriting older files.
   • As a reference, 1 hour of 1080p video typically uses around 6GB of storage. A 128GB card can store about 18 hours of 1080p footage, while 256GB gets you around 36 hours. Parking mode recording options like time-lapse or impact-only can make this last much longer.
3. Format Regularly: Always format your SD card inside the dash cam itself, not on a computer, at least once a month. This helps prevent file corruption and ensures the card is optimized for your dash cam.
4. Test for Fakes: Unfortunately, fake SD cards are common. If you suspect your card is causing issues, you can use a program like H2testw on a PC to verify its authenticity and capacity.

Step 5: Reset Your Dash Cam

Sometimes, a fresh start is all it takes to clear up software glitches.

1. Soft Reset: Many dash cams have a small reset button often a tiny pinhole you can press with a paperclip. This can sometimes resolve minor issues without losing your settings.
2. Factory Reset: If a soft reset doesn’t work, go into your Rexing dash cam’s system settings and look for the “Factory Reset” or “Restore Factory Settings” option. Be aware this will wipe all your custom settings, so you’ll need to reconfigure everything, including parking mode, afterwards.

Step 6: Power Management & Battery Protection

Understanding how your dash cam manages power is key to reliable parking mode.

• Internal Battery vs. Capacitor: Most Rexing dash cams use a supercapacitor, not a battery, to manage power. This means they must have external power to operate. The internal battery if present is usually only for emergency shutdown, not for parking mode.
• Car Battery Health: If your car battery is old or weak, it might not hold enough charge for parking mode, regardless of your dash cam’s settings. Dash cams with parking mode typically last 3-8 hours when connected to a car battery, and this duration can drop with an aging battery. A healthy car battery is a good foundation.

Step 7: Reach Out to Rexing Support

If you’ve meticulously gone through all these steps and your Rexing parking mode is still giving you grief, it’s time to contact the experts.

• Rexing has a support team you can email at [email protected] or call 877 740-8004. Be prepared to explain all the troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken, your dash cam model e.g., Rexing R4, M2, V3, V5 Plus, and your hardwire kit details. Providing them with as much detail as possible will help them diagnose the issue faster.

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Model-Specific Tips Rexing R4, M2, V3, V5 Plus

While the general troubleshooting steps apply across most Rexing models, here are a few specific points that come up for popular ones: Cracking the Rexing User Manual: Your Ultimate Dash Cam Guide

• Rexing R4 Parking Mode Not Working: This is a common query. The R4, being a 4-channel dash cam, features 24-hour parking mode. For the R4, the Rexing Type-C Intelligent Hardwire Kit is required. Make sure you have the correct hardwire kit and that the “Parking Mode” setting is off in the dash cam’s menu if you are using the Intelligent Hardwire Kit’s motion detection feature, as enabling both can cause a malfunction. The G-Sensor sensitivity should be set to “High” for vibration detection. If your R4 records while driving but not in parking mode, it almost always points to the hardwire kit installation.
• Rexing M2 Parking Mode: The Rexing M2 MAX also features parking mode and collision detection. It, too, requires the Rexing Smart Hardwire Kit with Type C port sometimes included, sometimes separate for automatic parking mode switching when the engine is off. Again, avoid enabling “Parking Monitor” in the dash cam settings if you’re not using the smart hardwire kit.
• Rexing V3 Parking Mode: Similar to other models, the V3 relies on a properly installed hardwire kit for parking mode to function. Users have reported success with troubleshooting hardwire kit connections for the V3.
• Rexing V5 Plus Parking Mode: Some users have reported issues with the G-sensor sensitivity on V5 models, noting that light taps would trigger it, but significant shaking of the car wouldn’t. Rexing support suggested that the G-sensor looks for hard vibrations, not just bouncing. They sometimes recommend the “Intelligent hardwire kit” for motion sensing if the G-sensor isn’t meeting expectations. This reinforces the idea of checking your G-sensor sensitivity settings and, if possible, trying a specific “Intelligent” hardwire kit if your current one isn’t performing.

By systematically working through these steps, you’ll likely pinpoint why your Rexing parking mode isn’t working and get it back to protecting your vehicle around the clock.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is parking mode on a Rexing dash cam?

Parking mode on a Rexing dash cam is a feature that allows the camera to monitor and record events around your vehicle even when the engine is turned off and the car is parked. It acts as a surveillance system, typically activating recordings based on impact G-sensor or motion detection. This provides crucial evidence in case of hit-and-runs, vandalism, or other incidents while you’re away from your car.

Do I need a hardwire kit for Rexing parking mode to work?

Yes, absolutely! To enable parking mode on most Rexing dash cams, you must use a dedicated smart hardwire kit. Plugging the dash cam into your car’s cigarette lighter will typically cause it to power off with the engine, disabling parking mode. The hardwire kit provides constant power from your car’s battery, even when the ignition is off, while also usually including low-voltage protection to prevent battery drain.

How do I know if my hardwire kit is installed correctly for parking mode?

A correctly installed hardwire kit for parking mode will have three main connections: a yellow/red wire connected to a fuse that’s always powered constant 12V, another red/yellow wire connected to a fuse that’s only powered when the ignition is on accessory power, and a black wire securely grounded to a bare metal bolt on the car’s chassis. You can use a multimeter to test your fuse connections. If parking mode isn’t working, often the constant power wire is mistakenly connected to an accessory fuse. Powering Up Your Rexing Dash Cam with an OBD Hardwire Kit: The Ultimate Guide

What kind of SD card should I use for Rexing parking mode?

For optimal performance and longevity with parking mode, you should always use a high-endurance microSD card. Brands like Samsung PRO Endurance or SanDisk High Endurance are designed to withstand the continuous read/write cycles and temperature fluctuations that dash cams experience, unlike standard consumer-grade cards which can fail quickly. A capacity of 128GB or 256GB is recommended for sufficient storage.

Why does my Rexing dash cam shut off after a few minutes in parking mode?

If your Rexing dash cam shuts off shortly after entering parking mode, it’s often due to the low voltage cut-off setting on your hardwire kit or a weak car battery. The hardwire kit is designed to shut off power to the dash cam if your car’s battery voltage drops below a certain threshold to prevent completely draining your car battery. If this cut-off voltage is set too high e.g., 12.4V for a weak battery or your car battery is old and can’t hold a charge well, the dash cam will power down prematurely. Check your hardwire kit’s manual to see if you can adjust the voltage cut-off to a lower, safer level like 12.0V.