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Hi everyone. I want to install a dash cam in my 2013 SL550. I want to hardwire it into a fuse. I don’t want to use the 12 V in the passenger foot well as the dash cam I am using is able to detect hits when parked. I am having a few issues.
1. I want to wire the dash cam into the fuse box on the driver side, not the fuse box behind the passenger seat. However, the fuses on the driver side looked to be integral fuses for the vehicle’s function (fuses for engine). I could also be wrong. I don’t really want to mess with that just for my dash cam. Which fuse do I tap into and in which fuse box?
2. Unlike other cars, the R231’s a pillar is one piece, so I can’t really take off the side panels to hide the cables.
The first site is interactive and offers details on fuse locations, ratings, functions, and common issues. However, please keep in mind that it's not an official Mercedes-Benz resource, so take the information with a grain of salt.
Regarding your need for a non-switched 12-volt power source for your camera: As you're probably aware, modern vehicles are heavily computer-controlled and sensitive to voltage and current fluctuations. I'm not an expert, and others might have more insight, but drawing extra current from any circuit could potentially cause fault codes or other issues.
If all else fails, a less elegant but practical solution might be to use a rechargeable 12-volt battery pack plugged into the passenger side 12-volt outlet.
Good luck!
Last edited by hornethandler; Jan 8, 2026 at 11:29 AM.
We had the radar detector and dashcam wired in and had to use both fuseboxes if memory serves. Passenger footwell for ACC (ignition) and the driver side for constant power. The pain was to run the cables from the right side A-pillar to the left side inside the dashboard through the center stack but it worked out easy once both of the bottom panels of the dash came off. The Dashcam needed both wires for the power management module.
Don't remember the fuses but the supplied chart above should help...
That was then and this is now...We wouldn't install a dashcam without a battery pack. Super easy as the battery pack can plug into the cigarette lighter or ACC fuse and the dashcaom only plugs into the battery pack and has no connection to the car.
I have a permanently wired dash cam. Both the 12V and ACC wires go to the fuse block on the driver side. I tucked the wire under the head liner and A pillar cover — not hard. Once it warms up a bit, I will pull the fuse block cover and take a pic, maybe later today. I’ve had this dash cam installed for a couple of years with no problem. Of course, I drive this car almost daily.
I appreciate everyone who has replied. Lots of good insight here. I would heavily prefer wiring everything into the driver’s fuse box. If you guys could, let new know which fuses you guys used! I don’t want to cause any important fault codes.
My car is a 2013 SL550. I am curious about the wiring of your dash camera to the fuse box. I attached photos of mine because the a-pillar and headliner are one piece, so I can't find any routes for the cable.
I have a 2015 SL400. Tuck the wire along the top and side of the windshield. There’s room. Then tuck between the dash and bottom of the A pillar cover. You don’t need to remove the cover.
I have outlined the path of the wire in red. Using a plastic pry tool (or spudger), I was able to tuck the wire where the parts came together so it was not visible.
I have outlined the path of the wire in red. Using a plastic pry tool (or spudger), I was able to tuck the wire where the parts came together so it was not visible.
Its easier just to loosen the cover. If I recall, you just need to unscrew the visor and then pull. There are clips holding the part in place. A-pillar and half the top is one piece if memory serves.
@crconsulting posted a helpful link in my other thread on how to remove the A pillars. Just 3 torx screws to remove the visors and 2 clips (pry gently) for each side. Photo in the other thread so you can see where the clips are located.
I originally routed same as @GTIBlack on the passenger side for my dashcam but ended up removing the A pillar and routing the wire behind it as I was getting rubbing sounds between the A pillar and dash.
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