How to Wire a Car Dash Cam?

[AdelineRose]

The wiring steps for a car dash cam are: 1. Determine the installation position of the dash cam; 2. Simulate the wiring route first to ensure the power cord is long enough; 3. Tuck the dash cam's power cord into the gap of the car's headliner; 4. Remove the A-pillar trim panel; 5. Insert the wire into the door frame's weatherstrip, aligning it with the A-pillar clips; 6. From the top of the A-pillar, follow the door frame downward, installing the weatherstrip while tucking the power cord inside until reaching the bottom of the dashboard where the wire should emerge; 7. Pass the power cord behind the glove box; 8. Loosen the screws of the lower trim panel under the center console, tuck the wire into the gap, and then tighten the screws; 9. Plug in the cigarette lighter power supply and confirm whether the dash cam can power on and start normally.

[DeSerenity]

When I installed the dash cam for my family's SUV last time, I spent a long time researching wiring methods. The key is to hide the wires without compromising aesthetics while ensuring safety. First, tuck the power cable into the windshield headliner's sealing strip, then route it down along the A-pillar. Special attention must be paid here to avoid blocking the airbag position—use a plastic pry tool to slowly tuck the wire into the interior panel gap. Next, pass it through the side of the glove box and connect it directly to the cigarette lighter. Secure the wiring with cable clips throughout to prevent loosening, leaving about 10 cm of slack for easy removal. For a more professional setup using the fuse box, you'll need to purchase a step-down cable and connect it to the ACC fuse position, then ground the wire to a chassis screw. After completion, power it on to test the recording angle, and remember to check weekly if the wiring gets pinched by the door.

[SpencerMarie]

I've tried three different wiring methods for the dash cam, and here's the most hassle-free approach. Start from the roof lining, tuck the cable along the upper edge of the windshield into the roof gap, using a trim tool to gently push it all the way down. When passing the A-pillar, hide the wire under the weatherstrip – never force open interior panels as it may affect airbag deployment. Route the cable under the passenger side floor mat towards the center console, connecting to the cigarette lighter for safest power supply. Key points: use static cling mounts to secure the main unit without damaging glass, and adhesive cable clips to maintain natural wire curvature. For the rear camera, run a separate cable through door seal weatherstrips to the trunk – a 5-meter cable works best. Always wear anti-static gloves during installation, and use zip ties to bundle excess wires. Important reminder: avoid pressing wires near the rain sensor area, and be cautious with gear panel seams where wires can get crushed.

[StBrayden]

Plan the routing path before wiring: headliner → A-pillar → glove box → cigarette lighter. Use a plastic pry tool to tuck the wires into the headliner seal, and route around the side of the A-pillar avoiding the airbag position. A dedicated fuse tap is required for connecting to the fuse box, with the F12 spare slot recommended. The key is to secure wire junctions with 3M tape and leave slack at bends to prevent breakage. Install the dash cam on the right side of the rearview mirror for minimal obstruction, with the rear camera wiring routed through the C-pillar to the tailgate. Opt for slightly longer wires rather than shorter ones, and wrap exposed connectors with electrical tape after completion. Check for any wire friction against metal parts before powering on.