Wiring a dashcam - e89 specific

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:38 pm

Hi all,

I've been searching long and hard for a how to on how to hardwire a dash cam to an e89. During my travels I've come across various useful threads (including the great one by Number5) about how to actually wire one in to get it working off the ignition but not managed to find anything useful about what trim to remove/how to remove it.

If anyone can point me in the direction of the correct route to take down to the fusebox that would be greatly appreciated. I'll write up a full e89 how-to with pics in return as one doesn't seem exist on the whole interwebs (from what I can see)

Cheers

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Wed Nov 21, 2018 3:16 pm

I've run mine through the trim that contains the courtesy lights across the top of windscreen (I just pushed it into gap wihout having to remove it.), then down the A pillar (again I think I could side it in if I removed the door seal or it should unclip). the cable can then be routed through the door seal and into the void near the fusebox (from hell). You've then got to work out how to extract the "mobile" fusebox, and connect to the right fuses... Relatively simple (except for the fuse box).

Himi · Post by **Himi** » Wed Nov 21, 2018 10:04 pm

I unscrewed the passenger side sun visor n then pulled the roof trim away for the a pillar trim to come away n then threaded the wire though if that makes sense?
Only requires you taking the 2 screw from the visor off.

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Wed Nov 21, 2018 10:30 pm

I'm working on it right now and it's actually fairy simple.

Just got the pillar fitted back in after a little persuasion and will tuck the wire under the trim and into the back of the fusebox tomorrow

flybobbie · Post by **flybobbie** » Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:34 am

Don't bother hard wiring, i just run the cable around back of glove box, push cable under the trim next to pax seat, then though the back of the centre storage and use the cig socket in there, if fitted.

clarker63 · Post by **clarker63** » Thu Nov 22, 2018 12:51 pm

flybobbie wrote: ↑Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:34 am if fitted.

Mine didn't! = fusebox fun...

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:59 pm

Got my fuse in, but I can't find a suitable earth point near the fusebox. Where should i go?

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Thu Nov 22, 2018 9:01 pm

Would this work? At the back of the fusebox

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Thu Nov 22, 2018 9:49 pm

Found this nice little screw just in front of the fusebox and it works like a charm!

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Thu Nov 22, 2018 10:19 pm

All done. For anyone else who might read this I tapped into fuse 8 which is for the the cigratte lighter. Camera comes on with the ignition now.

Thanks again for the advice, and yes that fuse box is a massive ballache to shifty around!!

AnubisZed · Post by **AnubisZed** » Tue Nov 27, 2018 11:22 am

I hard-wired mine in earlier this year, both front and rear facing cams along with Parking Guard as well. it was a lot of fun feeding the cables around the car

Post three onward on this thread....
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=106665&p=1548406#p1548406

PHILGZ4 · Post by **PHILGZ4** » Fri Mar 22, 2019 1:34 pm

greg81 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 22, 2018 10:19 pm All done. For anyone else who might read this I tapped into fuse 8 which is for the the cigratte lighter. Camera comes on with the ignition now.

Thanks again for the advice, and yes that fuse box is a massive ballache to shifty around!!

Got sick of the Halfords stupidity so i have bought the hardwire kit, micro piggyback fuse so i am going to attempt the install tomorrow. just to double check that if i use fuse 8 this is the one for when i turn the ignition on/off?. Was it easy to do?. Dont want to blow up anything!!!. thanks.phil

greg81 · Post by **greg81** » Fri Mar 22, 2019 2:00 pm

Co

PHILGZ4 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2019 1:34 pm
greg81 wrote: ↑Thu Nov 22, 2018 10:19 pm All done. For anyone else who might read this I tapped into fuse 8 which is for the the cigratte lighter. Camera comes on with the ignition now.

Thanks again for the advice, and yes that fuse box is a massive ballache to shifty around!!
Got sick of the Halfords stupidity so i have bought the hardwire kit, micro piggyback fuse so i am going to attempt the install tomorrow. just to double check that if i use fuse 8 this is the one for when i turn the ignition on/off?. Was it easy to do?. Dont want to blow up anything!!!. thanks.phil

Correct, fuse 8 is for the cigarette lighter so on/off with ignition.

Unfortunately the hardest part of the whole process was wrangling the fusebox. It's in a terrible position and i found it really hard to get in and out

Good luck!

Beeacon · Post by **Beeacon** » Fri Mar 22, 2019 2:15 pm

Phil,

I went through this same issue just after Christmas, on the thread below I've said which fuses I use. They have worked great for me so far.

Fuse 8 - Cigarette lighter - on w/ ignition
Fuse 77 - Interior lighting - Always on

VIOFO A129 Duo dashcam with parking guard 3 wire hardwire kit (switches from full recording down to low-frame rate recording when ignition is off).

viewtopic.php?f=46&t=111268

Beeacon.

PHILGZ4 · Post by **PHILGZ4** » Fri Mar 22, 2019 2:20 pm

Brilliant, cheers guys and will 'hopefully' get this right!.

Z4-forum.com

Z4-forum.com