Connecting dash cam to cig lighter?
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 62
Likes: 13
Mercedes cls 250 W218
Connecting dash cam to cig lighter?
any one know how to connect dash cam to the cigarette lighter?
I have a red acc cable which only works when ignition is on, there is a yellow b + cable which is power always on.
I want to solder to back of cig lighter, has red, grey and brown ut dont know what to connect to what.
Also have a ground cable which I assume just connects to metal
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 27
Likes: 10
any one know how to connect dash cam to the cigarette lighter?
I have a red acc cable which only works when ignition is on, there is a yellow b + cable which is power always on.
I want to solder to back of cig lighter, has red, grey and brown ut dont know what to connect to what.
Also have a ground cable which I assume just connects to metal
You would ideally find both a constant hot, and switched hot fuse in the interior fuse box.
That way you have the constant power for the dashcam to presumably go into low power mode when off and record on an impact or glass breaking sound - and the switched hot to tell it to start recording when the vehicle is on.
You have 2 options - tie both the switched and constant hot of the Dashcam to the cig lighter, and the dashcam will lose power when your turn off the ignition. Second option is best - find a constant hot and switched hot fuse to tap. Ground can go to the chassis regardless.
I would avoid cutting + splicing the factory harness unless you are sure of your soldering skills and know how to make a connection that will be resilient over the years.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 443
Likes: 91
CLS400 4Matic EC Tuned
Which dash cam are you using? Some of your features may not work if you power through a cigarette lighter. It's best to to just run them to your fuse box like I did as you won't have wires coming down for everyone to see. Once you find the right fuses, all you need to do is wrap the wire from dash cam around the fuse, there's no need to buy extra fuses and such.
