DIY Tutorial for Hardwiring a Dashcam and Radar Detector

[Woeo]

You are in a car that has been sitting in the driveway while it drizzled. Take it out into the real world.

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[dmitry]

Thanks for yesterday heavy rain I was able to take out my GT into the real world

 

[JD797]

I recently brought my car into the dealership because of a 'Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power' error I got in the app. The car was sitting in the driveway at the time and wouldn't take a charge, I did not try to drive it though. A few days later the car would charge and I drove with no issue.

When I brought it to the dealer, the only error code they say they got was B1616 (Electrical System Drain), which I already knew about since my dashcam has a parking mode. However, they suggested nothing should be wired into the BCM and they removed my dashcam hardwire (without my consent).

I was hoping to get other opinions on this. Should this be hardwired somewhere else, or perhaps with a separate battery? Or is the dealership mistaken? Is it even possible for it to be related to the powertrain malfunction error given I've had the dashcam installed for nearly a year before seeing the error?

 

[MachDoc]

I was hoping to get other opinions on this. Should this be hardwired somewhere else, or perhaps with a separate battery? Or is the dealership mistaken? Is it even possible for it to be related to the powertrain malfunction error given I've had the dashcam installed for nearly a year before seeing the error?

I have had that error EVERY MORNING for 2 years without any issues. Im calling 'bullshit' on that diagnosis from your dealer. If your dashcam has the ability, make sure it turns off if your battery gets below i.e. 12.2v

 

[21st Century Pony]

My Thinkware has never ever caused any problems. I also have it wired into the BCM. The Thinkware has a built-in auto-turnoff below a certain voltage function. It's been on the car for about 30 thousand miles now.

 

[JD797]

The hardwire kit I use has a battery cutoff included: https://www.vantrue.net/product/hardwire_kit_for_x4s_n4_n2s_e1 - looks like 11.6V - going to call the dealer tomorrow to clarify some of the details again. I already have a case open with Ford, will follow up with them as well.

 

[JD797]

My Thinkware has never ever caused any problems. I also have it wired into the BCM. The Thinkware has a built-in auto-turnoff below a certain voltage function. It's been on the car for about 30 thousand miles now.

Which fuse number did you use?

 

[21st Century Pony]

Which fuse number did you use?

Oh boy... I'll have to look it's been so long.

 

[JD797]

Oh boy... I'll have to look it's been so long.

No worries, don't want you to take things apart to check. I decided to give slot 13 a try since it is also unused and rated for 15A vs the 20A of fuse 5 that I was previously using. Will see if it makes any difference.

I also have it set to kill power draw at 12V and I've never had issues with a dead battery before, even with the car parked for long periods, so will see what happens.

 

[Vinces34]

I did the wire tap following these instructions. Very easy took about 10 mins. And works great!
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...or-or-dash-cam-switched-12v-diy-writeup.3952/

 

[eleven24]

Jeff, this is fantastic. Thank you, it gave me the confidence to install my own dash cam this way. My biggest issue is the A column cover, how the hell did you get that back on? It’s driving me nuts, I don’t believe anything else is obstructed but the two clips up top are just not letting me in far enough to close it up. Any words of wisdom?

Edit: Be smarter than me: pull the black clips out and then attach them to the A column cover, it'll then snap right into the other piece.

Did you remove the black metal spring clips? I've tried both ways and now the plastic tabs that the clips mount on are flimsy little weakened pieces of plastic.

 

[rrobe53]

It might be too late to help you, but maybe someone else can benefit here. I also had problems getting the A-pillar cover to clip back into those black pieces. I found out those black pieces are themselves clipped into the white piece. I removed the black pieces and installed them on the A-pillar cover and then I was easily able to snap everything back into place.

@MachDoc should add this to the op. I was ready to go to the dealer cause I couldn’t figure this out. Thought I broke something.

 

[yngwenli]

How are you all removing the A-pillar trim piece?

I looked through all 18 pages of this thread and saw a couple comments so it's probably just me, but I am a bit hesitant to force it out.

I can pull down on it from the door side and peak inside, but it seems to be pretty tight to keep pulling it down. Should I pull at a 45 degree angle straight into the car to pull it out?

I was also wondering if I should instead, be trying to use a pry tool from the front windshield and try to push it from that angle nudging near the clips. I've seen the pictures with it off and the black clips going into the white plastic (where that black loop tie is).

Thanks for any tips.

 

[MachDoc]

I just pry it away from the window using pry tools. With my second Mach-E, I found that I did not have to remove the cover fully. That makes it easier to replace into the proper position. Just pry it away enough to run tour wires BEHIND the airbag.

 

[Zedman]

So since I have the dash cam installed, the FOB does not work properly and the tire monitoring system is acting up.

both of the fuse sets you highlighted have a permanent power supply for me. Do you know how I find a switched power and how the dash cam could interfere with all the other stuff?

Did you ever get this resolved? I installed the same dash cam a week ago and the key fob has been acting strange ever since.

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