Hardwiring Sat Nav

jonsteele · 12-21-2009, 09:45 AM

I need to hardwire my TomTom and have all the bits to convert a cig lighter power lead to a direct feed - I just need some advice on where to wire it to! I've had a look at the wiring behind the glove box and it scares me!

1. How easy is it to get to the underdash area on the drivers side?
2. Which wires am I best to piggy back on - I only need an ingnition on feed?

Thanks in anticipation.

superbow · 12-26-2009, 02:18 PM

I wired in a tom tom to the cig lighter under the arm rest. It's a dodle to do. I just cut the wires and then rejoined them including the tom tom wires. You don't need to disconnect the battery as it is a switched live, just make sure your key is not in. I got to the wires by just pulling the silver cover/area around the rear vents behind the arm rest.

marcm · 12-27-2009, 09:33 AM

Don't cut them..... Use a sharp blade to remove some of the insulation so you can tap onto the wire. Or better still get some scotch locks and tap the wires that wa. Cutting wires is a deffinate last resort unless you are going to solder the connection, but even that can give issues later on with dry joints. Tap or scotch lock all the way.

12-21-2009, 09:45 AM	#1
jonsteele Old enough to know better! 20 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport, Le Mans Blue Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In a pub, in the middle of nowhere! iTrader: (0) Garage List 1989 Landrover 90 [0.00] 2008 BMW 320d M Sport [0.00]	Hardwiring Sat Nav I need to hardwire my TomTom and have all the bits to convert a cig lighter power lead to a direct feed - I just need some advice on where to wire it to! I've had a look at the wiring behind the glove box and it scares me! 1. How easy is it to get to the underdash area on the drivers side? 2. Which wires am I best to piggy back on - I only need an ingnition on feed? Thanks in anticipation. __________________ Jon Steele 320d M Sport (E90) Le Mans Blue/18" Alloys/Bi Xenons/Climate Screen/Black, Heated Dakota Leather/6 CD Changer with Dension 500/Power Mirrors/M3 Lip Spoiler/Gloss Black Grills/Through Load, Storage pack, Lumbar Support, Smokers Deletion
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12-26-2009, 02:18 PM	#2
superbow Private First Class 49 Rep 199 Posts Drives: soon to be 440iM Sport Coupe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Yorkshire England iTrader: (2)	I wired in a tom tom to the cig lighter under the arm rest. It's a dodle to do. I just cut the wires and then rejoined them including the tom tom wires. You don't need to disconnect the battery as it is a switched live, just make sure your key is not in. I got to the wires by just pulling the silver cover/area around the rear vents behind the arm rest. __________________ soon to be 440i M Coupe
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12-27-2009, 09:33 AM	#3
marcm Lieutenant 24 Rep 462 Posts Drives: F25 X3 LCI Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	Don't cut them..... Use a sharp blade to remove some of the insulation so you can tap onto the wire. Or better still get some scotch locks and tap the wires that wa. Cutting wires is a deffinate last resort unless you are going to solder the connection, but even that can give issues later on with dry joints. Tap or scotch lock all the way.
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