Work around for power to accessories when car ignition is off

JohnAG · 09-03-2015, 03:37 AM

I have a dash cam which I bought for the car before my X3 and I was planning to install it to the X3 when I got it a few weeks ago until I found out that the accessory/lighter electrical plug power remains on even when the ignition is turned off. This is where the dash cam power is plugged in. So I'm afraid that the dash cam will eventually run the battery down after a while. I also don't need it to be recording while I'm not driving. I've owned many Japanese, American, and Korean cars, and this is the only car which maintains the power to the accessories/lighter on when the ignition is turned off.

So my question is, has anyone figured out a workaround to this? I'm sure this is also an issue with radar detectors where you want it on as you turn the car on and off when the car is off. Is this something that can be taken care of with re-coding the default settings? In the old days, I'd find a wire coming off the ignition switch which get power when the car ignition is set to "On" or "run" and tap the power for the device I'm trying to connect from there. How time has change...

kevink1 · 09-03-2015, 05:45 AM

Doesn't it only remain on for a few minutes?

Rich4 · 09-03-2015, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnAG

..... this is the only car which maintains the power to the accessories/lighter on when the ignition is turned off.

I am sure you will find it switches off within 15 minutes of locking the car—mine takes 12mins. Best option is to hard wire it to the correct fuse box connection so the cam comes on automatically when you start the engine and off when you shut down. As accessing the fuse box area and finding the correct fuse can be a bit tricky, its worth getting expert fitting or your dealer to do it. Search the forums for comments from people who have done it.

pokerface · 09-03-2015, 08:16 AM

Also, tap power button a second time, or lock the car from the outside (remote, or Comfort Access handle) to turn off all accessories.

On our X3, the accessories tend to cycle off after around 8 minutes (about the same time my dash cam goes into Park Mode)

Peter_R · 09-03-2015, 08:35 AM

All accessories are off after approximately 12 to 15 minutes. This includes the supply to the cigarette lighter and the USB sockets.

I have a mobius dash cam running from the rear USB socket on my 63 plate F25 X3 xDrive30d M Sport and I have checked this many times. It is the same for all F Series vehicles.

Jypsie · 09-03-2015, 12:45 PM

I just installed a dashcam in my X4 and can confirm that the cigarette lighter connections in front, in the rear and in the trunk do switch off after around 10 mins.....

Anybody knows a good fuse in the back to hardwire too? One that switches off of course......

JohnAG · 09-04-2015, 01:59 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. Being a new owner of a BMW, I wasn't aware of this delayed power off feature. Even without confirming it myself, I'm sure my X3 is no different from every body else. Will be installing my dash cam shortly. I'll probably try to use the rear passenger cigarette lighter socket as the front is too valuable and will be an eye sore if used for the dash cam power. Thanks again.

Peter_R · 09-04-2015, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnAG

Thanks everyone for your input. Being a new owner of a BMW, I wasn't aware of this delayed power off feature. Even without confirming it myself, I'm sure my X3 is no different from every body else. Will be installing my dash cam shortly. I'll probably try to use the rear passenger cigarette lighter socket as the front is too valuable and will be an eye sore if used for the dash cam power. Thanks again.

Yes. That is what I did. See....

pokerface · 09-04-2015, 10:10 AM

Peter_R, is there not one in the center console / armrest?

I don't have a power outlet back there, but I'd just be worried somebody would kick it off. I have a child that sits in the back so this wouldn't work for me.

Peter_R · 09-04-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokerface

Peter_R, is there not one in the center console / armrest?

I don't have a power outlet back there, but I'd just be worried somebody would kick it off. I have a child that sits in the back so this wouldn't work for me.

I agree. Not a good idea to children in the back of the car....they could kick it off.

Yes there is one in the centre console and of course you could use it.

09-03-2015, 03:37 AM	#1
JohnAG Private 12 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 28i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany iTrader: (0)	Work around for power to accessories when car ignition is off I have a dash cam which I bought for the car before my X3 and I was planning to install it to the X3 when I got it a few weeks ago until I found out that the accessory/lighter electrical plug power remains on even when the ignition is turned off. This is where the dash cam power is plugged in. So I'm afraid that the dash cam will eventually run the battery down after a while. I also don't need it to be recording while I'm not driving. I've owned many Japanese, American, and Korean cars, and this is the only car which maintains the power to the accessories/lighter on when the ignition is turned off. So my question is, has anyone figured out a workaround to this? I'm sure this is also an issue with radar detectors where you want it on as you turn the car on and off when the car is off. Is this something that can be taken care of with re-coding the default settings? In the old days, I'd find a wire coming off the ignition switch which get power when the car ignition is set to "On" or "run" and tap the power for the device I'm trying to connect from there. How time has change...
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09-03-2015, 05:45 AM	#2
kevink1 Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 253 Posts Drives: 2015 X3 xDrive28d Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Oklahoma iTrader: (0)	Doesn't it only remain on for a few minutes?
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09-03-2015, 08:16 AM	#4
pokerface Colonel 432 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: F25 X3 N20 / F80 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Also, tap power button a second time, or lock the car from the outside (remote, or Comfort Access handle) to turn off all accessories. On our X3, the accessories tend to cycle off after around 8 minutes (about the same time my dash cam goes into Park Mode)
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09-03-2015, 08:35 AM	#5
Peter_R Air Vice Marshall 256 Rep 1,639 Posts Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK) iTrader: (0)	All accessories are off after approximately 12 to 15 minutes. This includes the supply to the cigarette lighter and the USB sockets. I have a mobius dash cam running from the rear USB socket on my 63 plate F25 X3 xDrive30d M Sport and I have checked this many times. It is the same for all F Series vehicles.
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09-03-2015, 12:45 PM	#6
Jypsie Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 260 Posts Drives: X4 M40i Carbon Black Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	I just installed a dashcam in my X4 and can confirm that the cigarette lighter connections in front, in the rear and in the trunk do switch off after around 10 mins..... Anybody knows a good fuse in the back to hardwire too? One that switches off of course......
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09-04-2015, 01:59 AM	#7
JohnAG Private 12 Rep 55 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 28i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone for your input. Being a new owner of a BMW, I wasn't aware of this delayed power off feature. Even without confirming it myself, I'm sure my X3 is no different from every body else. Will be installing my dash cam shortly. I'll probably try to use the rear passenger cigarette lighter socket as the front is too valuable and will be an eye sore if used for the dash cam power. Thanks again.
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09-04-2015, 10:10 AM	#9
pokerface Colonel 432 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: F25 X3 N20 / F80 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Peter_R, is there not one in the center console / armrest? I don't have a power outlet back there, but I'd just be worried somebody would kick it off. I have a child that sits in the back so this wouldn't work for me.
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