Helpful Wiring / Fuse Tool E89

B

Beeacon

Member
 Manchester, UK
Hi All,

I'm just about to hardwire in my dashcam but really struggled with the hieroglyphics of the fuse box diagram. Luckily, I came across this useful website which I haven't seen mentioned here yet, I think it is BMW's in-house repair manual:


It has a bunch of info that I haven't explored, but works very well for getting fuse descriptions.
Go to the main page, select your vehicle, and then use the search function on the right and type 'fuse'. From here there is a list of what each fuse actually does. Use the below diagram to guide you toward the right fuses.

attachment.jpg

For my dash cam install, I'll be using the following:

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).

I haven't hardwired the cam yet, so I'll come back and edit this if the car doesn't like that fuse.

Hope this helps,
Beeacon.
 
Hi, needing some helpful tips. I have bought an universal hardwiring kit with only one red wire and a ground wire. It says it’s both ACC & BATT at the same time though, is it okay to proceed inserting into what supposedly meant for BATT fuse slot ? Are there any differences between one wire and two wire cables?

Also, I’ve bought another type of hardwiring kit with both red and yellow wire however this time the fuse which came fitted does not slots in, and are very loose . Cant seems to find a way to piggy back on the original fuse either, or could it act as one fuse (15ampere) for both interior lighting and dash cam at the same time?

Thank you
 
E89 Z4 2013 said:
Hi, needing some helpful tips. I have bought an universal hardwiring kit with only one red wire and a ground wire. It says it’s both ACC & BATT at the same time though, is it okay to proceed inserting into what supposedly meant for BATT fuse slot ? Are there any differences between one wire and two wire cables?
Click to expand...

I think it depends on which camera you have, I know that the VIOFO A129 that I have can't distinguish between the car being on or off, so it needs the 3 wires to be able to tell when to go into parking mode (one always on connection, and one on with ignition).

E89 Z4 2013 said:
Also, I’ve bought another type of hardwiring kit with both red and yellow wire however this time the fuse which came fitted does not slots in, and are very loose . Cant seems to find a way to piggy back on the original fuse either, or could it act as one fuse (15ampere) for both interior lighting and dash cam at the same time?
Click to expand...

If the other kit has 3 wires then this is best if you have a similar dashcam with parking mode (though the camera description should tell you how it needs to be hardwired). I would imagine that the fuse already included is useless, and you'd be better finding a piggyback kit for the fuse (I used this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DH4YTBR/?tag=z4fo-21 ). You need to make sure the fuses go in the correct way around though, I think the original fuse should go in the bottom of the kit, with the new fuse in the top.
 
Folks, I fitted my Nextbase the other day but could not get power to it after piggybacking into fuse 8. I assumed it was a dodgy hardwire cable, so they sent a replacement. I've just tried it and the same thing is happening! Fuse 8 definitely works as the cigarette lighter is coming on, but it will not power on the dashcam.

I've tried the piggyback adapter in a couple of other constant slots and the whole thing is working, just not in fuse 8!

Are there any other ignition live fuses that anyone knows of?
 
Lyons said:
Folks, I fitted my Nextbase the other day but could not get power to it after piggybacking into fuse 8. I assumed it was a dodgy hardwire cable, so they sent a replacement. I've just tried it and the same thing is happening! Fuse 8 definitely works as the cigarette lighter is coming on, but it will not power on the dashcam.

I've tried the piggyback adapter in a couple of other constant slots and the whole thing is working, just not in fuse 8!

Are there any other ignition live fuses that anyone knows of?
Click to expand...
Have you got the piggy back the right way around? sounds like its the wrong way around..
 
Fuse 8 is a switched supply, so only on with ignition.
If it hs a USB-C end to it try plugging it into your phone and see if the phone starts to charge, if it does then I'd suspect a faulty camera.
 
Sadly it’s a usb mini, so nothing else to try. The camera does work though- I’ve been using it with the cigarette lighter cable up until now.

Forgot to say I also unplugged the bullet connector on the red wire and tested it- it is getting 12v when the ignition is on, hence me thinking the Nextbase loom was faulty 🤦‍♂️.
 
Last edited:
Lyons said:
Sadly it’s a usb mini, so nothing else to try. The camera does work though- I’ve been using it with the cigarette lighter cable up until now.

Forgot to say I also unplugged the bullet connector on the red wire and tested it- it is getting 12v when the ignition is on, hence me thinking the Nextbase loom was faulty 🤦‍♂️.
Click to expand...
So camera working is a good start.
You've got 12v at the red bullet connector, that's good as well, means the piggyback is working.

So, as you've had two power cables from Nextbase I doubt you're that unlucky to have two faulty ones. So the next thing, and TBH the only other option, is your Earth/Grounding point. Where have you attached this and is it any good? (a photo may help here)
 
It’s on a bolt up behind the glovebox (not at home at present for a photo), but given that the camera did work when I tried it in another fuse slot I had ruled out the ground being at fault.
 
When I checked the red lead coming out the fuse it was getting 11.7v upon turning on the ignition- I assume that should be enough?
 
Just as I had given up and was packing away my tools it decided to work as it should. I fed the wires and reattached all trim and of course it stopped working! The only thing I can now think of is could I have enlarged the gap in the fuse box where the original fuse goes, and therefore it’s not getting a good connection on the fuse/adapter any more?!?

I was going to just wire it in to the back of the cigarette lighter as an alternative, but removing the lighter socket doesn’t appear to be straight forward either. I may just be destined to have a trailing wire hanging from the camera into the cigarette lighter.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: B21
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom