[Midlife_C]

Hi guys, I hope someone can shed some light on this.
I was thinking about installing a simple dash cam in my 335i. In most installations the cameras are powered via an adapter which goes into a cigarette lighter socket.

My car does not have a cigarette lighter socket in the centre console (ashtray), the BMW Owners Manual shows a cigarette lighter socket in the passenger side footwell, under the glove box. So I was hoping it would have one too. Looked at it this morning – does not seem to have it. I managed to see this bit, not even sure what it is. Tried to yank it (lucky for me it wasn't the 007 seat ejection button ) - nothing happened. Am I looking in the wrong spot?



Is this socket optional (some cars may not have it)?

[CashedUpBogan]

Ashtray was an option AFAIK. Seen people retrofit for socket. Do you have coupe or sedan?

My E93 has two. One in the ashtray and the second one is in the armrest between front seats. Have you checked there?

[_ink]

I direct wired my blackvue to the fuse box/fuse - which isn't very hard to do at all.

The only cigarette socket up front is in the centre console/ashtray and under the armrest.

[harms]

Mine has one in the boot. But that's not helpful haha

[Midlife_C]

Thanks guys. Mine is a coupe.
I do have a socket in the centre armrest. But routing cable all the way there can be a pain... Plus I am pretty sure the cigarette socket adapter for the camera would be too big and won't let the armrest to close.

Did not check the boot, ha ha. They say the camera cable is very long so may reach there. But not sure if it is easy to route the cable into the boot.

I may have to look into connecting to the fuse box as _ink suggested. Never done it before so will do some googling on how to do it. Do you have any DIY links handy, _ink?

Thanks in advance.

[_ink]

There's some vids etc here on the link below:

http://www.bmwgarage.com.au/index.ph...cam-group-buy/

[Midlife_C]

Thanks _ink, will check it out.

[Midlife_C]

If anyone needs a soft copy of the fuse box diagram, here is mine, scanned it this morning (this is for 2010 E92 335i LCI):

[_ink]

How'd you go with install?

[Midlife_C]

Too early to say - I haven't bought the camera yet

I am too paranoid about draining the battery so not going with a camera with parking mode (continues recording after the car is switched off), even with voltage monitoring / cut off thingy.

I am planning to hook it up to the fuse which switches off after the car is locked. Still need to do some research on which fuse is suitable.

[fructus]

Old thread, but since I came across it today, as I was routing obd cable to the passenger side, there's one in the center armrest and one in the passenger footwell left of the glove box. Mine is a sedan without the ashtray.

[Socket]

did someone say Socket?

[bmwheath]

Originally Posted by Socket

did someone say Socket?

Sockets, sockets everywhere