BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum DIY Discussions / Guides / Instructions DIY: Hardwiring a dash cam and radar detector

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      01-16-2018, 08:17 PM   #1
astrahan
New Member
United_States
35
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: 2018 540i
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Southern California

iTrader: (0)

DIY: Hardwiring a dash cam and radar detector

REVISED March 30,2018

I recently simultaneously hardwired both a BlackVue 750s dashcam and a Uniden R3 radar detector in my new 2018 540i. The installation turned out to be easy by using a standard size fuse tap to activate unused fuse socket F59 in the Z44 fuse panel located behind the glove box, and required no special tools or modification of any existing wiring. I used a Blendmount mirror mount to hold the dash cam behind the rearview mirror and a sun visor clip for the radar detector.

I have prepared a step by step web page describing and illustrating my method, see http://www.eyephysics.com/BMWG30/bmwg30.html. I have revised my original instruction since this original posting with pictures of routing the power wires behind the airbag extension in the right pillar. The only tool needed was a T20 screwdriver and a bit of electrical tape to bundle the power wires with the existing wire bundle in the pillar located just behind the airbag. No rewiring or any changes to the original install were required other than simply removing the pillar cover and shifting the wires so as to remain behind the airbag instead of drooping over it.
Attached Images
  

Last edited by astrahan; 03-30-2018 at 04:11 PM.. Reason: revised instructions
Appreciate 14
      01-21-2018, 07:12 AM   #2
forza1976
Major General
forza1976's Avatar
United_States
3391
Rep
6,585
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: 49417 and 60610

iTrader: (13)

Garage List
2022 BMW M3X  [10.00]
Nice. Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2018, 11:08 AM   #3
heli_ca
Enlisted Member
heli_ca's Avatar
40
Rep
34
Posts

Drives: M550i xi
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

dyi

Hi, by slipping the wire under pillar trim does it not restrict air bag deployment? Are there two separate bags? One in the a pillar trim and one above passenger door area?
Appreciate 0
      01-21-2018, 11:39 AM   #4
astrahan
New Member
United_States
35
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: 2018 540i
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Southern California

iTrader: (0)

power cord location question

After pulling the pillar cover plate, my inspection of the wire paths did indeed reveal that they were drooping over the metal airbag shield in the pillar, so I revised my method by shifting the wires to follow the existing wire bundle just behind the airbag shield. I was able to do this without changing the previous install or disconnecting anything, just shifted the wires and used a bit of electrical tape to join the existing bundle.

Last edited by astrahan; 04-01-2018 at 11:17 AM..
Appreciate 1
      01-24-2018, 09:01 AM   #5
DavidI
Private
United Kingdom
21
Rep
77
Posts

Drives: F90 M5C LCI
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: NW London / Herts

iTrader: (0)

Fantastic write up and photos - many thanks
Appreciate 1
murmur59.00
      02-04-2018, 12:49 PM   #6
forza1976
Major General
forza1976's Avatar
United_States
3391
Rep
6,585
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: 49417 and 60610

iTrader: (13)

Garage List
2022 BMW M3X  [10.00]
Thanks again, just completed this today. Works perfect and super easy (aside from the small working space )
Appreciate 0
      02-12-2018, 04:20 PM   #7
bavaria-tuning.com
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: M550i
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Bremen

iTrader: (0)

could you share a link for the blendmount mirror for the cam? Thanks in advance.
Appreciate 0
      02-17-2018, 02:03 PM   #8
astrahan
New Member
United_States
35
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: 2018 540i
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Southern California

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bavaria-tuning.com View Post
could you share a link for the blendmount mirror for the cam? Thanks in advance.
The cam mount I used for the 540i was BlendMount BBV-3032 for DR750s , and you can usually get a 12.5% discount using coupon code friend125, see https://store.blendmount.com/blendmo...50s-p3855.aspx
Appreciate 2
      02-19-2018, 12:16 PM   #9
bavaria-tuning.com
Registered
0
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: M550i
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Bremen

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by astrahan View Post
The cam mount I used for the 540i was BlendMount BBV-3032 for DR750s , and you can usually get a 12.5% discount using coupon code friend125, see https://store.blendmount.com/blendmo...50s-p3855.aspx
thx Bro
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2018, 03:48 PM   #10
astrahan
New Member
United_States
35
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: 2018 540i
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Southern California

iTrader: (0)

I have revised my instruction page with pictures of routing the power wires behind the airbag extension in the right pillar. The only tool needed was a T20 screwdriver and a bit of electrical tape to bundle the power wires with the existing wire bundle in the pillar located just behind the airbag. No changes to the original install were required other than removing the pillar cover and shifting the wires slightly. see revised instructions https://www.eyephysics.com/BMWG30/bmwg30.html
Appreciate 0
      03-31-2018, 02:50 AM   #11
saintalan
New Member
England
6
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: G30 520i (2018)
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Windsor, UK

iTrader: (0)

Astrahan thanks for the update.

Could you say the reason for this?

Is it due to safety or easier access to the fuse area etc.

Many thanks

Alan
Appreciate 1
pperc115.50
      04-01-2018, 11:06 AM   #12
astrahan
New Member
United_States
35
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: 2018 540i
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Southern California

iTrader: (0)

in reply to member saintalan, the reason for the revision to my original post was to prevent the power wires from possibly interfering with the deployment of that portion of the right side airbag that extends into the top half of the pillar. On the recommendation of another reader I pulled the cover after my original install to inspect the wire path and I noticed that the power wires were drooping diagonally across the airbag metal shield as they made their way down the pillar so this is a super easy safety revision just in case that airbag ever deploys, which, of course, I don't plan on ever actually happening, but you never know...
Appreciate 1
      04-29-2018, 10:26 AM   #13
Russ
Enlisted Member
1
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: BMW 550xi
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Va

iTrader: (0)

Under r3 and gesture control

Did you have any problems with G30 gesture control and r3 laser detector interference? I installed a V1 on my 2018 540 and had to tape-up the rear laser sensor.
Appreciate 0
      04-29-2018, 01:38 PM   #14
saintalan
New Member
England
6
Rep
29
Posts

Drives: G30 520i (2018)
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Windsor, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ View Post
Did you have any problems with G30 gesture control and r3 laser detector interference? I installed a V1 on my 2018 540 and had to tape-up the rear laser sensor.
Hi Russ, I don't have gesture or radar. However I do get some interference/drop out with (UK) DAB Radio. Not sure that is to do with Dash-cam but I do have wiring to rear camera also which I have heard can be a problem.

Cheers

Alan
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2018, 03:11 PM   #15
sauce25
New Member
5
Rep
23
Posts

Drives: 2020 M2C
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by astrahan View Post
REVISED March 30,2018

I recently simultaneously hardwired both a BlackVue 750s dashcam and a Uniden R3 radar detector in my new 2018 540i. The installation turned out to be easy by using a standard size fuse tap to activate unused fuse socket F59 in the Z44 fuse panel located behind the glove box, and required no special tools or modification of any existing wiring. I used a Blendmount mirror mount to hold the dash cam behind the rearview mirror and a sun visor clip for the radar detector.

I have prepared a step by step web page describing and illustrating my method, see http://www.eyephysics.com/BMWG30/bmwg30.html. I have revised my original instruction since this original posting with pictures of routing the power wires behind the airbag extension in the right pillar. The only tool needed was a T20 screwdriver and a bit of electrical tape to bundle the power wires with the existing wire bundle in the pillar located just behind the airbag. No rewiring or any changes to the original install were required other than simply removing the pillar cover and shifting the wires so as to remain behind the airbag instead of drooping over it.
Hello, Did you use the Power Magic Pro or on of the Batteries for the install? Any error lights from the Bimmer?
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2018, 07:57 AM   #16
drivethemachine
Lieutenant
drivethemachine's Avatar
193
Rep
404
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW 530e
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (1)

Hey everyone, thanks OP for this excellent writeup.

I installed a Blackvue (with power magic) and an Escort power wire in my 530e yesterday, following this guide. It was a very easy process. I managed to do a nice and clean job.

However, my alarm seems to go off a few hours after I lock the car. This happened twice last night. Has anyone run into this issue before?

(Maybe related but I noticed the F59 fuse is not a true accessory wire, it goes hot when I unlock the car the stays on for a while after locking.)
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2018, 04:21 PM   #17
Gosimer4
New Member
1
Rep
5
Posts

Drives: 2019 540i xdrive
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Ny

iTrader: (0)

I noticed this too. Does it turn off after a while or is it constant power?

Quote:
Originally Posted by drivethemachine View Post
Hey everyone, thanks OP for this excellent writeup.

I installed a Blackvue (with power magic) and an Escort power wire in my 530e yesterday, following this guide. It was a very easy process. I managed to do a nice and clean job.

However, my alarm seems to go off a few hours after I lock the car. This happened twice last night. Has anyone run into this issue before?

(Maybe related but I noticed the F59 fuse is not a true accessory wire, it goes hot when I unlock the car the stays on for a while after locking.)
Appreciate 0
      09-14-2018, 09:40 PM   #18
drivethemachine
Lieutenant
drivethemachine's Avatar
193
Rep
404
Posts

Drives: 2018 BMW 530e
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Long Island, NY

iTrader: (1)

It turns off eventually. So far everything is working as I wanted.
Appreciate 0
      10-07-2018, 06:54 PM   #19
High Flier
Second Lieutenant
High Flier's Avatar
103
Rep
231
Posts

Drives: 2019 M550iX
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

Are you using the DR750S-2CH? I'm installing one now and will need to route an additional wire to the rear camera.
Appreciate 0
      10-11-2018, 09:05 PM   #20
drsubie
Registered
United_States
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: 2018 M550
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by drivethemachine View Post
It turns off eventually. So far everything is working as I wanted.
How long is eventually? 10 min? i'm worried about it draining my battery...
__________________
2019 Ram 1500 Limited
2018 BMW M550
2015 991 GTS
Appreciate 0
      10-12-2018, 08:13 PM   #21
drsubie
Registered
United_States
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: 2018 M550
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

NVM, I guess it does eventually turn off after several minutes (I didn't time the exact duration)...
__________________
2019 Ram 1500 Limited
2018 BMW M550
2015 991 GTS
Appreciate 0
      01-16-2019, 08:58 PM   #22
VirtualGuitars
Major General
VirtualGuitars's Avatar
United_States
7843
Rep
5,796
Posts

Drives: 2024 BMW XM Label
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by drsubie View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by drivethemachine View Post
It turns off eventually. So far everything is working as I wanted.
How long is eventually? 10 min? i'm worried about it draining my battery...
It's worth noting that when I use the cigarette lighter adapter that came with my radar detector, it turns on as soon as I unlock the car and stays on for a several minutes after I exit the vehicle and the power is turned off to the outlet.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
dashcam, g30, radar detector

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:20 PM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST