Installing a dashcam into a Golf Mk7

Kemik

Kemik

Kemik

Soldato
Joined
7 Nov 2005
Posts
4,958
Location
Widnes
Hi guys,

I've bought a dashcam, an "add-a-fuse", and the cable which reduces the voltage. Now it's a case of installation...

  1. I can run the wire from the dashcam to the headliner but when I get to the A pillar I really want to hide the wire. Is the A pillar on the Golf difficult to remove? Would you recommend an amateur simply has the small amount of wire visible (from roof to door seal)?
  2. The installation guides I've seen all run to the fusebox behind the glovebox. The only problem with this is I have an airbag switch on the side panel which none of the installation guides have. Should I avoid removing this panel and use the drivers' side instead?
Thanks.
 
No experience with a golf, but you can usually pull the pillar trim forward enough to tuck the wire behind (it's what I've done in many cars)... then run it behind the door seal (just pulls off) and behind the glovebox by removing the trim you mention :)

Switch should be fine, just bear in mind that the switch is there and the wires may be short (should be plenty to allow you to remove the trim enough to get your wire through however)
 
On my MK7 GTI I put the cable between the roof liner and A pillar trim then took the door rubber off and pushed it between the trim and the body. Once the rubber is back on you can't see the cable, no need to remove the trim.
 
So, under what circumstances would the dashcam start to smoke?

I used a 12v to 5v converter that is recommended for these devices with an add-a-fuse. Luckily it was only setup for power on with the ignition. For these reasons I'm pretty sure it wasn't the wiring but was the dashcam but need to be sure before I complain and get a new one. Last thing I want is for the next one to go up as well!
 
If he's gone and chopped off the fag plug and tried to wire in a 5v converter to that I can see the problem haha

Cam smoking LOL, yea it's FUBAR.. I would suggest you check your wiring again.
 
Was it one of the circuit boards with a potentiometer on it that you turn to adjust the out put voltage? If so did you check what the output was with a multimeter before attaching the cam?
 
Also (as asked above)... Have you cut the cigarette plug off the wire that came with the dashcam?

The plug usually (probably 99% of the time) has the necessary voltage tweaking components in it... If you have cut the plug off... I think it would maybe be a good idea to install a hidden (behind your glovebox, etc.) 12v socket (still using your initial power source and add a fuse adapter) and use the plug/wire that comes with the new dashcam if you're unsure on what has caused this one to go pop
 
slick rick said:
If the polarity was reversed?
Click to expand...

Wut?

Finglonga said:
What dashcam have you got and why did you need the power reducer as everyone I have seen comes with the correct cable in the box.
Click to expand...

Mini 0805. It come with the cigarette lighter USB cable and a hardware kit. The hardware kit allows you to attach an add-a-fuse to one wire (red wire) and piggy back off an existing fuse in the fusebox, earth the other (black wire) and then there is a converter in the middle to reduce the voltage to 5V followed by a micro USB connector.

From all of the tutorials online this seems like a standard method of hardwiring the camera.

Fuzz said:
If he's gone and chopped off the fag plug and tried to wire in a 5v converter to that I can see the problem haha

Cam smoking LOL, yea it's FUBAR.. I would suggest you check your wiring again.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking it might be the dashcam battery that was dodgy. When I was testing it with the cigarette lighter it would sometimes refuse to come on or refuse to shut down and I would need to leave it to drain the battery without power.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom