[BlackDragon]

Evening all. Just found this site, so bear with me if this is the wrong place for this.

I'm installing a VIOFO A129 dashcam kit, and I'm using the optional hardwire kit. My one problem is that I need to find a ground point someplace near the front cabin fuse block?
So far, I haven't found anything regarding center console (or interior) disassembly.

I'm fairly comfortable with automotive and electrical work, so feel free to get technical.

Thank you in advance,
Jim

 

[BlackDragon]

I think I may have found myself a solution.
With the sun up, I dug back into the front fuse box. Found a bolt coming up through the body, just in front of the fuse block. Confirmed that the bolt is a 1/4"-28 (not a 1/4"-20) and have procured a nut and a Nyloc nut, to sandwich the ground lug between.

I'll probably get to do this after dinner, and I'll post back if it works out or not.

 

[BlackDragon]

So, that worked out nicely. A couple add-a-fuse for PWR and ACC connections, and the dashcam is up and running smoothly.

 

[Bruce TDN]

Good to hear you figured it out.
Care to post a pic of where you grounded it at and other connections made?
It'll help for future members to see what you're talking about and how you installed your dash cam. 😉

 

[BlackDragon]

Hmm.... I'll see what I can do . Did it all without removing the console, so it's a bit tight.

 

[Black Dragon]

Never mind. Forgot today was "No Meetings Thursday."

So, the top pic is the ground point, located forward of the center console fuse block. If you don't mind a scraped up hand, you can get the nuts and lug mounted without removing the console panel. (ask me how I know )

The bottom is the fuse panel, with two Bussmann fuse taps. (One for PWR, one for ACC)
Note: I only want my dashcam running while I'm driving. However, it has a Parking Mode that is active with the hardwire kit, so it never turns off. I have circumvented this by tapping onto two ACC fuses, F24 (ACC lead) and F20 (PWR lead).

If I ever want to use the Parking Mode, I would move the PWR lead from F20 to F2.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

 

[SHB80]

Thanks for the info and pics!

 

[Davis_1377]

Never mind. Forgot today was "No Meetings Thursday."

So, the top pic is the ground point, located forward of the center console fuse block. If you don't mind a scraped up hand, you can get the nuts and lug mounted without removing the console panel. (ask me how I know )

The bottom is the fuse panel, with two Bussmann fuse taps. (One for PWR, one for ACC)
Note: I only want my dashcam running while I'm driving. However, it has a Parking Mode that is active with the hardwire kit, so it never turns off. I have circumvented this by tapping onto two ACC fuses, F24 (ACC lead) and F20 (PWR lead).

If I ever want to use the Parking Mode, I would move the PWR lead from F20 to F2.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

I made my ground behind the glove blox, lower it to get to where the cabin filter is and there is a metal plate to the left I used a self drilling screw and you can pretty much drop the ground wire right down to the fuse panel. I have also used F20. Do you notice when you get out with the engine running certain times the F20 power will turn off for a split second? Mine does I think it’s if I get out with the fob.

 

[MANNAXMAN]

Thanks for the post/info. I have a dash cam I need to install and was debating wiring to the fuse panel in the cabin or in the engine bay. How did you run the wires from the camera to the fuse panel? Did you need to remove any trim panels to do so?

 

[Davis_1377]

Thanks for the post/info. I have a dash cam I need to install and was debating wiring to the fuse panel in the cabin or in the engine bay. How did you run the wires from the camera to the fuse panel? Did you need to remove any trim panels to do so?

Interior route is much better. I removed the square trim cover behind the rear view mirror, the passenger pillar trim, the carpeted cover that’s under the dash that has I think 3 plastic clips you pull the center out of, and you can also squeeze in the sides of the glove box to lower where the cabin filter is to make it easier to get your wire thru from the top of the dash. I ran the wire under the rearview mirror trim with the other wires going to the mirror and used a flat plastic tool to tuck the wire behind the headliner all the way across to the pillar and zip tied the wire to the wires going down the pillar. You should be able to drop your wire from there to behind the glove box if not you can also remove the trim cover on the side of the dash by pulling it out but it’s kind of a pain because the door seal across it. Then you can run it across to the fuse panel and I used the ground on the plate that’s left of behind the glove box when it’s lowered with a self drilling screw. You cannot see any wires when your done other than going into the cam and no worries of the wire falling down from the headliner (atleast with mine).

 

[Clay333]

Interior route is much better. I removed the square trim cover behind the rear view mirror, the passenger pillar trim, the carpeted cover that’s under the dash that has I think 3 plastic clips you pull the center out of, and you can also squeeze in the sides of the glove box to lower where the cabin filter is to make it easier to get your wire thru from the top of the dash. I ran the wire under the rearview mirror trim with the other wires going to the mirror and used a flat plastic tool to tuck the wire behind the headliner all the way across to the pillar and zip tied the wire to the wires going down the pillar. You should be able to drop your wire from there to behind the glove box if not you can also remove the trim cover on the side of the dash by pulling it out but it’s kind of a pain because the door seal across it. Then you can run it across to the fuse panel and I used the ground on the plate that’s left of behind the glove box when it’s lowered with a self drilling screw. You cannot see any wires when your done other than going into the cam and no worries of the wire falling down from the headliner (atleast with mine).

On my 2023 there are 2 factory grounds right under where you drilled yours. If you remove the passenger side kick panel they are right behind it. I am planning on installing a kicker Key 200.4 in that area and plan to use one of those grounds for it. I am not a fan of drilling unless there is absolutely no other way.

 

[Davis_1377]

On my 2023 there are 2 factory grounds right under where you drilled yours. If you remove the passenger side kick panel they are right behind it. I am planning on installing a kicker Key 200.4 in that area and plan to use one of those grounds for it. I am not a fan of drilling unless there is absolutely no other way. View attachment 1974

Yea that’s a great spot! I didn’t remove mine. I don’t like drilling either but it was just a flat plate I could see both sides so I went for it.

 

[Black Dragon]

Thanks for the post/info. I have a dash cam I need to install and was debating wiring to the fuse panel in the cabin or in the engine bay. How did you run the wires from the camera to the fuse panel? Did you need to remove any trim panels to do so?

Sorry for the delayed response. I've been offline for a bit. My install kit came with a trim bar. I ran the wires from the window straight up into the roof, across the passenger side, down the A-pillar, and behind the glove box to the center console. The rear cam cable was tucked up under the roof, along the passenger side, to the A-pillar, and across the front window to the dash cam.