HenryNorth

I'd like to install a dash cam in my '04, and would love to avoid the lighter plug cord dangling in front of me. I never use the rain sensor, since I prefer to choose when the wipers go on. Can I tap into that wiring to power the dash cam? Is there any danger to doing that? (I'm no expert electrician, but have done very simple things like install different stereo units or accessory fans) I guess the mirror's wiring might work too, but since I have no use for the rain sensor (and will remove it to mount the dash cam there) it seems like a natural solution. Also, does anyone know where I can find a wiring diagram for the rain sensor and /or the mirror? TIA

swfla

iTrader: (1)

That's exactly what I did on my '10 LS 460 radar detector install. There's 3 wires, took 2 minutes to figure which 2 wires to use. Just be sure that your cam is 12v not 5v!

rkw77080

Take a look at the following post https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-dash-cam.html for some very useful tips.

See Post #6 for "Always-On" 12V power, and Post #14 for "Ignition-On" 12V power.

ancdmd

Just get the hard wire kit. Comes with a long power cord, and you just tuck it under the edge of the headliner and A-pillar trim, then down the side of the dash and into the fuse panel in the driver's footwell. Attach it to one those fuse piggyback things and just plug it into the fuse box.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

My KDlinks unit I purchsed comes with a cord long enough to go from the 12v port near the ashtray to the rear view mirror tucked all the way around the headliner. It's clean but not as clean as wiring it to the rain sensor. I just worry about adding the extra amperage to a circuit not designed for this. May not be a big deal but I personally wold rather run a dedicated line.

HenryNorth

Thanks for the great advice. I think I'll try the rain sensor wiring first - since I'm removing that sensor, not adding to it, there won't be much (if any) extra load on the circuit.

HenryNorth

Update:
I did it - it was quick and simple once I figured out the wires, and now I have a fairly neat installation. I didn't even have to splice the sensor wiring, I just used a slightly modified spade connector to connect the camera to the existing harness.

rkw77080

Congrats... Please share details on what you did - some pictures would be nice, also!

Tom57

Yes, please identify the color-coded wires you spliced into (both pos. & neg.) as well as any pics you could share would be helpful.

rkw77080

Looking at the wiring diagram, it seems that you can get 12V(+) from the "Light Green / Red" wire and ground from the "Brown" wire.



R6 is a black connector with 3 wires: Wire #1 is the "Light Green / Red" 12V (+) wire and Wire #3 is the "Brown" ground wire.

HenryNorth

I didn't need to splice at all - I used a multimeter to find the right wires in the existing harness's clip-in connector and modified a couple of crimp-on spades to plug right into it. That way I can easily re-install the sensor if I should ever want to do that. The position of the wires corresponds to the diagram rkw77080 posted above.
After I found the right slots (see photos) I wrapped each wire carefully in electrical tape, then bundled them together with a separator so they can never touch, and that's it. Works very nicely

clubbanger

I just installed my dash cam this way with an Invisicord (micro pin size) to micro-USB except I tapped into the back of the connector. Works well and kept rain sensor functionality.