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      08-30-2017, 11:59 PM   #1
mainsoda
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Fuse box question

I'm looking to wire up a dash cam in my Z4MC. Right now I can plug it into the cigarette lighter but unfortunately this is always hot and stays on even when the car is off.

I have a fuse "add a circuit" on the ready but I'm wondering where to try it. I want the camera to turn off when the car is not running and turn on when it is.

Where do you guys suggest I plumb this in on the fuse box?

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      08-31-2017, 07:29 AM   #2
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The easiest thing is to go through the fuse rack with a tester.
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      08-31-2017, 09:42 PM   #3
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Name:  2004 BMW Z4 (E85) Color Fuse Diagram.png
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      09-01-2017, 08:29 AM   #4
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Thanks StickMon!
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      09-01-2017, 11:19 AM   #5
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I can't take full credit.
Another Forumite went to the trouble of making it.
I just keep a copy close at hand.
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      03-25-2018, 03:52 PM   #6
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As I would like to add a circuit on my car as well, I was wondering where to attach the ground wire. Anybody has any suggestions (I would probably be putting the device in the wall between cabin and trunk on a coupe)?

Also would fuse 9 be empty with a manual car?
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      03-25-2018, 11:39 PM   #7
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Well, I was going to consult the WDS, but it needs Java, and Java appears to be an evolutionary dead end.
Grounds are usually solid brown. Find a connector near where you need it, find a solid brown wire, and ohm it out to the chassis.
Not sure about fuse 9. Seems that it would be extraneous with a manual.

On a related note, anybody know of a good post-Java solution to the WDS?
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      03-29-2018, 05:20 PM   #8
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I forget where I put my ground, there were a number of chassis screws nearby. I used spot F2.
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      04-04-2018, 08:49 AM   #9
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Why not tap into the power/ground in the rear view mirror/light circuitry? Think this video has the info I used when I did mine.

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      12-27-2018, 11:31 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elerner61 View Post
Why not tap into the power/ground in the rear view mirror/light circuitry? Think this video has the info I used when I did mine.
I was wondering the same thing. My daughter got me a dashcam for Christmas and now I need to figure out how to get it wired in. The wire mentioned in that video to tap into, what does it go to?
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      12-28-2018, 11:46 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gpraceman View Post
I was wondering the same thing. My daughter got me a dashcam for Christmas and now I need to figure out how to get it wired in. The wire mentioned in that video to tap into, what does it go to?
The mirror is where I tapped into for my radar detector. For the dash cam, I had to tap into the fuse box because it only takes 5V, so some type of step-down voltage regulator was required - either a cigarette lighter type or a straight dedicated 12V to 5V regulator box. Either solution would be too bulky to be stuffed in the overhead. Also, if you already have a radar detector tapped into the mirror circuit, you wouldn't want to take the chance with over-loading it with more accessories.

I did something similar to this for my dash cam
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      12-28-2018, 12:06 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XMetal View Post
The mirror is where I tapped into for my radar detector. For the dash cam, I had to tap into the fuse box because it only takes 5V, so some type of step-down voltage regulator was required - either a cigarette lighter type or a straight dedicated 12V to 5V regulator box. Either solution would be too bulky to be stuffed in the overhead. Also, if you already have a radar detector tapped into the mirror circuit, you wouldn't want to take the chance with over-loading it with more accessories.

I did something similar to this for my dash cam
No radar detector to worry about.

I ordered this wiring harness, which includes the 12V to 5V convertor. I was hoping to stuff that into the area behind the map light. Trimming off as much of the wiring before the convertor as I can.

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      01-17-2019, 10:28 AM   #13
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I installed Blackvue recently with PMP for parking mode. I tap into the two empty slots on the fuse box. There are bolts there you can use for ground.
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      07-13-2019, 06:39 PM   #14
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I finally got around to wiring in my dash cam. Watched the first video in this thread and it was easy peasy. Used a trim tool to pop out the whole map light unit. Used one of the screws up in there for the ground connection. Tapped into the middle wire of the map light harness. There was a bit of a gap between the plastic housing and the windshield, so routing the wire out to the dash cam was simple. I was afraid that there wasn't going to be enough room for all of the dash cam's wiring harness to fit, but it all went in with no need to do any trimming.
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