In my XJL (X351) MY2011 I have installed a dashcam behind the rearview mirror and want to connect the power cable in the roof console which has one connector with a total of 20 wires.

I have found that 2 of the wires always have 12V (colored red : RD and brown-green : BN-GN) and 2 others have 12V only when the engine is running (both colored blue-pink : BU-PK).

Does anyone know what all the wires in the connector are for, and specifically if there is any difference between the two with 12V when the engine is running?


1 DashCam + Roof Console

2 Roof Console backside

3 Roof Console connector

4 Roof Console connector cables

 

The BN-GN is from the battery to power courtesy lights through the switches in the overhead console. It also powers the glove box release, vanity mirror lights, etc. It comes through F57 in the junction box, and also goes through the battery saver relay in that junction box, so can be cut-off if the battery power is getting low (doors open, radio on, etch with engine off).
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Thank you so very much, 12jagmark.

Does this mean that you think it's best to power my dashcam from the BN-GN? If I understand correctly, the dashcam will then be powered even when parked, until the battery power is too low.

Alternatively, do you think it's better to power the dashcam from one of the two BU-PK wires that only have 12V when the engine is on? And if so, does it matter which one of the two I use? This was my first idea, because I assumed that the dashcam would not drain the battery at all.

 

I'm sorry, but no - You'll have to decide what the best power source for your camera will be. I only identified what that line is and where it comes from.

 

Read the installation manual for your particular dashcam, and select the wiring option best suited to your situation. "On with ignition only" saves the car's battery power, but may not provide surveillance at all times. Some dashcam models have an internal battery that provides a limited amount of recording time if their internal sensors register a bump. Some models wired "On all the time" have an automatic standby feature. YMMV.

 

After further research, I have now dug into the wiring diagrams and compiled what each wire is used for and what color they have. Please see attached table. I must correct myself regarding the color of certain wires that I perceived incorrectly. The conclusion is that I should use wire # 7 (BU-GY = Blue-Grey), which provides 12V when the engine is running. The dashcam does have a small battery that keeps it alive a few seconds after power is lost.

 

Have you completed the installation of your dash camera using wire #7? If your research was correct, and this wire has the functionality and capacity to power the camera, others will benefit from your post.

 

Yes Baltobernie, I have completed the installation using wire #7 as the 12V power source. I also used wire #4 as ground. I used a connector of the following type, which is widely available on Amazon and elsewhere, eliminating the need for wire cutting. Everything works very well, no cables are visible, and I’m happy 😃