How to Wire in a Dash Cam (E85/E86)
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:42 pm
Firstly, whilst this is a relatively simple task for the average 'practical' person, please do not attempt this if you are not confident.. You do so at your own risk. (That's the disclaimer out of the way !)
This is for E85/E86 Models only (and All models I have done have been pre-face lift cars)
Edit: Following the subscription now due using photobucket, I have edited this and added the pictures as attachments, however, I am limited to only 10 pictures
This is what you're aiming for. Your Dash Cam base-mount neatly positioned under/behind the rear view mirror with as little wiring showing as possible and an Auto on/off function that follows your ignition:
These are the basic tools you will need:
1 Ensure that your ignition is switched off so there are as few circuits live as possible. Then sit in the passenger seat.
2. Using your finger nails if possible (or small flat Screwdriver if not) prize out the RIGHT hand side of the interior light cluster, by pulling down.
3 Once the right hand side is out, lower it and then the left hand side will un-clip and the unit will hang free and out of the way. (Do not try to get the left side out first)
4. Up in the roof cavity you will find a loom of wiring coming in from the Drivers side. This splits into three smaller looms.
a) Goes to the Light Cluster - Ignore this one
b) Is a thicker loom and goes to the Mirror - ignore this one too
c) Is the thinnest loom and goes to the rain sensor - This is the one you want.
Strip back the 'fluffy tape' from this wire carefully, to expose 4 wires. The one you want to separate is the Violet&White wire. This is the Positive that becomes live when the ignition is on.
5) Connecting to the Supply
Using a Scotch Block (or other suitable connector) you need to join the Positive (Red) wire from your Dash Cam Power Supply Unit (PSU), to this Violet&White Cable, like this:
I did not cut the Violet wire. I just lined it up with the metal jaws of the connector, added the Red Dash -cam wire and then pinched it closed using the Pliers.
6. You then need to 'Ground' the PSU to the Car's metal bodywork, with the black cable from the PSU. I used the crosshead screw that goes into the bracket up inside the light cavity. (This usually holds the SatNav/GPRS aerial. If you don't have SatNav, you will still have the bracket, but may need to find a screw to fit, as the holes will be empty)
i) Losen the screw a few turns,
ii) Strip the end of the black cable approx 20mm,
iii) Wind the stripped cable around the screw or better still, crimp an eyelet on the end of the cable and secure it around the screw.
iv) Re-tighten the screw, ensuring the cable is tightly pinched. 7. Feed the USB Plug down
You now need to feed the mini USB end of the DashCam PSU Cable, from the Interior Light Cavity, against the glass, down through the Rain Sensor housing . Un-clip the Housing by splitting it into two halves, down the middle seem. This is easy to do with bare hands, once the mirror is angled out of the way.
8. Testing the Camera
At this point you can plug your Camera in loosely, turn the ignition on and test it...
If it doesn't work check all of your connections are tight, re-pinch the connector block to ensure you've 'bitten' the cable, or that the Ground is good.
If the Camera does start up - great. Well done ! Now turn the ignition back off and carry on.
9) Refit the Light Cluster- loosely
Once you've got enough cable hanging out at the bottom of the housing area, bundle up any spare USB cable (you cannot cut it !) and then locate the PSU and all spare cable up in the interior light cavity, out of the way. Use some double-sided sticky pads or a cable tie to secure the PSU and avoid possible rattles (There's plenty of room up there)
Inserting the left side first, then lifting the right, re-fit the Interior Light Cluster loosely to get it up out of the way. You may need to remove it again later, in-case of problems, but make sure the light switches are nearest the rear of the car !.
10) Refit the Sensor Housing by aligning up the two halves and clipping together. Again position the mirror best to facilitate this. Once fitted, position your mirror back into the normal driving position.
11) Fitting the Camera Base
Now fit your camera base in the required position, using the sticky pad it should come with. (This is best done with the camera attached so that you dont find the mirror or housing is later in the way when you come to position it !)
12) Final Checks
Sit in the Drivers seat,. Turn the Ignition on again, Check the Camera starts and will sit in the desired position. The camera should go off shortly after the ignition is switched off. Check the mirror is OK for driving and if all is good, give the interior light the final push it needs to clip back in properly.
Tidy up the cable as best as you can between the mirror housing and the camera base, ensuring there's a nice loop to take the pressure off the plug & socket in the base
Thats it - All done !
If anyone has any comments on the above, please let me know and I will edit the original guide.
You can buy additional bases for most Dash-Cams (I use the Mini0803) and I have installed bases in my other cars, so I can easily switch the camera between vehicles on the weekends.
Good luck - I hope this is useful !
- Number 5
This is for E85/E86 Models only (and All models I have done have been pre-face lift cars)
Edit: Following the subscription now due using photobucket, I have edited this and added the pictures as attachments, however, I am limited to only 10 pictures
This is what you're aiming for. Your Dash Cam base-mount neatly positioned under/behind the rear view mirror with as little wiring showing as possible and an Auto on/off function that follows your ignition:
These are the basic tools you will need:
1 Ensure that your ignition is switched off so there are as few circuits live as possible. Then sit in the passenger seat.
2. Using your finger nails if possible (or small flat Screwdriver if not) prize out the RIGHT hand side of the interior light cluster, by pulling down.
3 Once the right hand side is out, lower it and then the left hand side will un-clip and the unit will hang free and out of the way. (Do not try to get the left side out first)
4. Up in the roof cavity you will find a loom of wiring coming in from the Drivers side. This splits into three smaller looms.
a) Goes to the Light Cluster - Ignore this one
b) Is a thicker loom and goes to the Mirror - ignore this one too
c) Is the thinnest loom and goes to the rain sensor - This is the one you want.
Strip back the 'fluffy tape' from this wire carefully, to expose 4 wires. The one you want to separate is the Violet&White wire. This is the Positive that becomes live when the ignition is on.
5) Connecting to the Supply
Using a Scotch Block (or other suitable connector) you need to join the Positive (Red) wire from your Dash Cam Power Supply Unit (PSU), to this Violet&White Cable, like this:
I did not cut the Violet wire. I just lined it up with the metal jaws of the connector, added the Red Dash -cam wire and then pinched it closed using the Pliers.
6. You then need to 'Ground' the PSU to the Car's metal bodywork, with the black cable from the PSU. I used the crosshead screw that goes into the bracket up inside the light cavity. (This usually holds the SatNav/GPRS aerial. If you don't have SatNav, you will still have the bracket, but may need to find a screw to fit, as the holes will be empty)
i) Losen the screw a few turns,
ii) Strip the end of the black cable approx 20mm,
iii) Wind the stripped cable around the screw or better still, crimp an eyelet on the end of the cable and secure it around the screw.
iv) Re-tighten the screw, ensuring the cable is tightly pinched. 7. Feed the USB Plug down
You now need to feed the mini USB end of the DashCam PSU Cable, from the Interior Light Cavity, against the glass, down through the Rain Sensor housing . Un-clip the Housing by splitting it into two halves, down the middle seem. This is easy to do with bare hands, once the mirror is angled out of the way.
8. Testing the Camera
At this point you can plug your Camera in loosely, turn the ignition on and test it...
If it doesn't work check all of your connections are tight, re-pinch the connector block to ensure you've 'bitten' the cable, or that the Ground is good.
If the Camera does start up - great. Well done ! Now turn the ignition back off and carry on.
9) Refit the Light Cluster- loosely
Once you've got enough cable hanging out at the bottom of the housing area, bundle up any spare USB cable (you cannot cut it !) and then locate the PSU and all spare cable up in the interior light cavity, out of the way. Use some double-sided sticky pads or a cable tie to secure the PSU and avoid possible rattles (There's plenty of room up there)
Inserting the left side first, then lifting the right, re-fit the Interior Light Cluster loosely to get it up out of the way. You may need to remove it again later, in-case of problems, but make sure the light switches are nearest the rear of the car !.
10) Refit the Sensor Housing by aligning up the two halves and clipping together. Again position the mirror best to facilitate this. Once fitted, position your mirror back into the normal driving position.
11) Fitting the Camera Base
Now fit your camera base in the required position, using the sticky pad it should come with. (This is best done with the camera attached so that you dont find the mirror or housing is later in the way when you come to position it !)
12) Final Checks
Sit in the Drivers seat,. Turn the Ignition on again, Check the Camera starts and will sit in the desired position. The camera should go off shortly after the ignition is switched off. Check the mirror is OK for driving and if all is good, give the interior light the final push it needs to clip back in properly.
Tidy up the cable as best as you can between the mirror housing and the camera base, ensuring there's a nice loop to take the pressure off the plug & socket in the base
Thats it - All done !
If anyone has any comments on the above, please let me know and I will edit the original guide.
You can buy additional bases for most Dash-Cams (I use the Mini0803) and I have installed bases in my other cars, so I can easily switch the camera between vehicles on the weekends.
Good luck - I hope this is useful !
- Number 5