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How to Wire in a Dash Cam (E85/E86)

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TR4man
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by TR4man » Sat Jul 22, 2017 9:13 pm

I used these instructions a couple of months ago, it was so easy that I'm sure you can do the install even without the photos and just by following the script.
2006 E86 Si Sport as a daily driver.

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Number5
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by Number5 » Sat Jul 22, 2017 9:32 pm

Sorry - If i get chance tomorrow i'll re-insert them as attachments

Alsn

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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by Number5 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:28 pm

Gee wrote: Sat Jul 22, 2017 8:57 pm Darn photobucket! I don't suppose anybody was able to rescue a copy of the guide and pictures before the hosting went down?
I've now added as many pics back in as I can, as attachments. However 10 is the maximum I can add, so I have a had to lose 1 or 2.

I hope that helps, especially identifying the wire you need to connect into.

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ronk
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by ronk » Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:09 pm

Has anybody hard wired a dash cam on a E89 please ?
I'm told by a techie at a BMW Dealership, that the approved method they use goes back to the ciggie lighter socket?
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AndyO
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by AndyO » Wed Jul 26, 2017 7:10 am

I've got my E89 booked in for a dashcam hard wire this morning at a local Auto Electrician. He did a great job on my 320i a couple of years ago. I'll let you know how it goes.
First time Z4 owner in Cheshire.
2011 E89 Z4 sDrive23i M Sport Auto. Black Sapphire. 19" 326M wheels. Purchased May 2017 (for pleasure).
2004 E83 X3 2.5i Sport Auto. Bluewater Metallic. Purchased June 2018 (for practicality).

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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by jamie_z4 » Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:20 am

ronk wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 11:09 pm Has anybody hard wired a dash cam on a E89 please ?
I'm told by a techie at a BMW Dealership, that the approved method they use goes back to the ciggie lighter socket?
yes, it does as on the e89 the fag lighter is ignition live, not permanent live like the e85/86
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by markeg » Wed Jul 26, 2017 10:23 am

@Ronk - You could use a piggy-back fuse if you don't want to go back to the cigarette lighter. It's the option I used when wiring one into my son's Fiesta.
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ronk
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by ronk » Wed Jul 26, 2017 10:42 am

I think that's the best idea.
I'm unsure how to remove the trim from the A pillar and as the car is less than a year old l dont fancy wrecking a bit with brute force and ignorance !
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with. :thumbsup:

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obewan
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by obewan » Wed Jul 26, 2017 1:05 pm

ronk wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2017 10:42 am I think that's the best idea.
I'm unsure how to remove the trim from the A pillar and as the car is less than a year old l dont fancy wrecking a bit with brute force and ignorance !
Hi ronk - I routed my cable behind the A pillar - there was enough of a gap to push it behind and out of sight
thread here with pics viewtopic.php?f=5&t=93149
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Number5
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by Number5 » Wed Jul 26, 2017 1:17 pm

I've done it on a 2011 5 series which is probably the same colour coding as a 2011 E89 and I think it was a green/white wire you needed, but otherwise exactly the same method and principle as the E85 above

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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by AndyO » Wed Jul 26, 2017 2:02 pm

Just had mine hard wired this morning by a local Auto Electrician for £60. He said he managed to connect it to an ignition wire in the roof, so was relatively easy. I went for the Roadhawk DC-2. Its working fine, when the ignition is switched on the Roadhawk turns itself on (red light) then a minute later the GPS is on (green light). And switches itself off when I turn the ignition off.
Perfect.
First time Z4 owner in Cheshire.
2011 E89 Z4 sDrive23i M Sport Auto. Black Sapphire. 19" 326M wheels. Purchased May 2017 (for pleasure).
2004 E83 X3 2.5i Sport Auto. Bluewater Metallic. Purchased June 2018 (for practicality).

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ronk
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by ronk » Wed Jul 26, 2017 3:43 pm

Did the fella use scotchlocks ?
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with. :thumbsup:

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AndyO
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by AndyO » Thu Jul 27, 2017 7:05 am

ronk wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2017 3:43 pm Did the fella use scotchlocks ?
Yep
First time Z4 owner in Cheshire.
2011 E89 Z4 sDrive23i M Sport Auto. Black Sapphire. 19" 326M wheels. Purchased May 2017 (for pleasure).
2004 E83 X3 2.5i Sport Auto. Bluewater Metallic. Purchased June 2018 (for practicality).

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Kit
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by Kit » Thu Jul 27, 2017 7:36 am

Liam-O wrote: Sat Aug 22, 2015 12:40 am So I went to hardwire my dash cam this evening and couldn't find the rain sensor cable. I decided to "hunt" for it by stripping back the trim and A pillars and then the cup holder/vent looking for the Violet&White cable but no luck. Mines a prefacelift with loom parts missing (like the loom for the cruise control). Multimeter confirms no other switched lives up in there :(

So can anyone confirm where I can find a switch live as close as possible?
Just ordered a dash cam off eBay £9 but its 12V powered so no 12V to 5V bits and this guide was just what I need, and at £9 what do I have to lose. Its not got a screen so it uses your smart phone to set up and view, and this makes it small will post when fitted with pics.
Old Z3 2.2 Sport Grey White leather Great car looks just the part, Current Z4 3.0si Sport Auto Grey Red Leather better car great engine handling super, not as pretty as the 3, 2 different cars

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ronk
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How to Wire in a Dash Cam

Post by ronk » Thu Jul 27, 2017 9:24 am

obewan wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2017 1:05 pm
ronk wrote: Wed Jul 26, 2017 10:42 am I think that's the best idea.
I'm unsure how to remove the trim from the A pillar and as the car is less than a year old l dont fancy wrecking a bit with brute force and ignorance !
Hi ronk - I routed my cable behind the A pillar - there was enough of a gap to push it behind and out of sight
thread here with pics viewtopic.php?f=5&t=93149
Thanks for the prompt :thumbsup:
You don't stop playing when you get old - You get old when you stop playing!
So I bought a 35is with all the toys to play with. :thumbsup:

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