How To Guide Install hard wire kit for dash cam

Jack Ratt

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What's in the Nextbase install kit?

Hard wire kit.JPG


Wiring loom and 2 x piggy back fuse holders. For the Z3 you will need the one on the far right

Tools required
Tools required.JPG


Trim removal tool
T25 torx wrench
Flat blade screwdriver
M10 spanner

This is a relatively easy job and can be completed in an hour, but it's wise to allow a couple of hours if you haven't worked on your car very often.

The kit allows for direct electrical connection into the cars fuse box which means you don't have to cut and splice any wires, it's all plug and play. Connection is to fuse number 21 which is the bottom fuse on the right hand side of the fuse box. It is 5 amp.

Fuse box.JPG


To get access to the fuse box from inside the car you will need to remove the side trim on the passenger side beneath the dash board
Remove lower side panel.JPG


Then remove the trim from the left hand windscreen pillar

Remove windscreen trim.JPG


Then remove the passenger side sun visor
Remove sun visor.JPG


With the sun visor removed, just gently pry the upper trim away from the windscreen. You only need about 5mm of clearance to feed the cable behind so don't use a lot of force.

Working under the dash board with the trim removed, pull the carpet away from the front bulkhead so that you can see this grommet. I have gently pushed my screwdriver through it so that it is clear to see

Grommet inside the car.JPG


View from the engine bay you need to remove this sound proof flap by removing the nut

Access to grommet.JPG


This "flap" is just to the left of the fusebox on the bulkhead.

Remove the nut and pull the flap clear. Then you can see where the screwdriver comes through the grommet

Grommet in the engine bay.JPG


Next step, from inside the car push the brown cable through into the engine bay. You need the end of the cable to reach the fusebox. When you've done that you can resecure the soundproof flap and refit the nut.

Back inside the car again now, you will see an earth connection on the left hand side.

Earth connection..JPG


Connect the black earth wire to this earth point

Earth connected.JPG


Next, feed the black cable that connects to the dash cam behind the trim above the windscreen and down the windscreen/door pillar. The cable will need to protrude about 100mm to 150mm, (4 to 6 inches in old money), to allow easy connection to the camera.
Come out above mirror.JPG


There is plenty of cable to route down the windscreen pillar

Feed cable behind windscreen trim.JPG


and then push the cable between the dashboard and door pillar

Between trim and dash.JPG


Gently pull the cable to remove the any slack. You can bunch the excess cable and tidy it up then conceal it behind the side trim under the dashboard.
Trim replaced.JPG


Lower trim replaced. You can now replace the sun visor and secure the trim.

Finally, you need to complete the electrical connection.

Remove fuse 21.JPG

Remove fuse number 21 and then install it into the piggy back fuse holder

Fit removed fuse into piggy back fuse holder.JPG


Then install the piggy back fuse holder into fuse 21 position in fusebox

Fit piggy back fuse holder into position 21.JPG

(This photo should be turned through 180 degrees, in other words it's upside down, but I didn't spot it when I downloaded it)

I had to snip away a bit of the wall of the fusebox in 2 places to allow the fuse holder to seat properly and to allow for connection to the cable from inside the car. Cutting the wall of the fusebox as I have demonstrated here will not affect the integrity of the fusebox.

Cut wall of fuse box.JPG

(This photo is upside down too, but I'm sure it's still clear what I'm trying to explain)

Then connect the piggyback fuse holder to the wire from inside the car and the install is completed. Tidy the cable by taping or cable tie to the main loom.

Completed install.JPG


Fit the lid back on the fusebox and the install is complete.
 
Last edited:

Jack Ratt

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2.8i AUTO and 2.8i MANUAL
That took bloody ages to type =))=))

Hope you can understand it
 

t-tony

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Great guide Garry, perfectly clear. It’s not always easy to get the pictures exactly where you need them either.

Tony.
 

andyglym

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Seems a simple enough job to do for those wanting a hard wired DashCam Garry, great instructions :thumbsup:
 

Sean d

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Excellent write up pal, never knew you get a piggy back fuse holder
 

t-tony

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Excellent write up pal, never knew you get a piggy back fuse holder
They go by the name "Add a fuse" Sean. Great bit of kit.

Tony.
 

Mazza

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Great write up @Jack Ratt , something else to add to my to do list =))=))=)) :thumbsup:
 

petecossie

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What timing. :whistle: Guess who got a Dash Cam for Xmas and was looking at how I was going to hard wire it in the Coupe instead of trailing wires to cig lighter point. Dash Cam is nothing fancy, a Nextbase 212, but seems to get quite reasonable reviews.
One question I've got, what make of microSD card (32 or 64GB) is best (Nextbase say their own brand is best of course!!!). I've already looked up about the wiring kit as shown earlier in this post. So this will be added to list of jobs to do. :)
 

t-tony

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Going on the experience I had last spring Pete, maybe their advice about Sd cards is worth listening to. At least you have a stick to beat them with if it didn't work, like mine.

Tony.
 

Shelly

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Great write up :p
Alan hard wired a dash cam into my Z a few weeks ago ;)
 

jonco

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@Jack Ratt - Great write-up Garry - have got mine on a plug-in at the moment but now interested in changing - where did you get the kit from please ?
 

Jack Ratt

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Trevj

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I noticed this thread and decided to have a go. It all went fairly easy, wouldn't have even attempted it without reading this. Well done and thanks.
 

Mazza

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As already said above, Many Thanks @Jack Ratt for posting this.
Didnt do the fuse connection bit, but followed the fitting instructions to install a dashcam this morning.
Took out the glove box, A pillar trim and sun visor and fed the cable round to the centre console where I had a switched USB socket already fitted. ( the switch is the button next to it)
D0DB68D1-BA16-40DC-BD0E-6C348BFBD97E.jpeg


174028CF-C0A1-4880-91B9-44AA41886C58.jpeg


All working and nice and neat :)
 

t-tony

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Much better when all you have to do is start up and drive away.

Tony.
 
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