Hardwiring Radar/Dash cam?
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 112
Likes: 34
2012 E350, 2020 GLS450
I have hardwired a 2 channel dashcam to my car. Ran it on passenger side roof trim back to the fuse box in the trunk. I also have a backup battery that I put in the spare wheel well. The only thing I have not gotten to yet is taking the trim off of the tailgate as it is posing a challenge to me. I have MB WIS and have looked at the instructions, and from what I can tell we have to take the entire tailgate plastic trim off to get the wire behind it to go up through the hose to the window area. Eventually I will get in there when I have the time to.
There's also a fuse box under the passenger side glove box, but requires taking out a few components in there to access that. If you want a rear camera I recommend you just run the wire back. To do this you can either go through the roof lining or the foot well. Either way you should take off the A pillar to run the cable behind the airbag so it does not get interfered.
It's easy enough to run the cable under the trunk lining from the fuse box to the wheel wheel if you have the external battery too.
There's also a fuse box under the passenger side glove box, but requires taking out a few components in there to access that. If you want a rear camera I recommend you just run the wire back. To do this you can either go through the roof lining or the foot well. Either way you should take off the A pillar to run the cable behind the airbag so it does not get interfered.
It's easy enough to run the cable under the trunk lining from the fuse box to the wheel wheel if you have the external battery too.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 560
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From: New York City
Chevrolet Chevette, Ford Pinto, Pontiac Aztek, Trabant, Yugo GV (and all the worst cars ever built)
I have hardwired a 2 channel dashcam to my car. Ran it on passenger side roof trim back to the fuse box in the trunk. I also have a backup battery that I put in the spare wheel well. The only thing I have not gotten to yet is taking the trim off of the tailgate as it is posing a challenge to me. I have MB WIS and have looked at the instructions, and from what I can tell we have to take the entire tailgate plastic trim off to get the wire behind it to go up through the hose to the window area. Eventually I will get in there when I have the time to.
There's also a fuse box under the passenger side glove box, but requires taking out a few components in there to access that. If you want a rear camera I recommend you just run the wire back. To do this you can either go through the roof lining or the foot well. Either way you should take off the A pillar to run the cable behind the airbag so it does not get interfered.
It's easy enough to run the cable under the trunk lining from the fuse box to the wheel wheel if you have the external battery too.
There's also a fuse box under the passenger side glove box, but requires taking out a few components in there to access that. If you want a rear camera I recommend you just run the wire back. To do this you can either go through the roof lining or the foot well. Either way you should take off the A pillar to run the cable behind the airbag so it does not get interfered.
It's easy enough to run the cable under the trunk lining from the fuse box to the wheel wheel if you have the external battery too.
Why did you decide to tap the fuse box in the rear instead of the fuse box behind the glove box? Was it because you had a backup battery? I do not have a backup battery so intend to just use the front passenger fuse box. Is it difficult to access? Thanks.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 112
Likes: 34
2012 E350, 2020 GLS450
1. I had a rear camera that I had to run a line to the tail gate anyways, so I just ran both lines back and it was easier.
2. The tail gate fuse box is much easier to access than the glove fuse box. I wasn't a fan of bending down under the glove box and taking things apart there when I can just access the rear fuse box directly with a twist of a knob.
If you have only a front dash cam, you don't really need to go to the back if you know how to run the wire into the glove box. It might not be worth the hassle though with the number of parts you have to take apart to access it. I feel its easier to just run the wire to the back, just make sure your wire is long enough.
Member
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 112
Likes: 34
2012 E350, 2020 GLS450
I ran it through the pillars/roof of the car. I made sure to take the trim off at the pillars so I can wire the lines behind the airbags. I have not done the trunk yet as it is a pain to take the trim off the tailgate. From what I know, a lot of the tailgate have to be taken off to run the wire underneath the trim and I just haven't gotten to it yet.
One thing to make sure is that your wires are long enough for the GLS.
One thing to make sure is that your wires are long enough for the GLS.
