What happened to the USB in the Glovebox?

shiner · 10-19-2016, 07:31 AM

I used to have this on my F11 from 2011. On my 535D it is missing.

I want to power a dash cam, too many crash for cash incidents nowadays. I think the best way, and least visible way, in the absence of the Glovebox USB is to route it to the rear passenger centre console cigar socket, that is never used in my car. I can then hide the cabling completely except for the bit where it would emerge from the rear bench to the cigar socket - a few inches of cable.

Any other ideas? Can't think how to get it into the center console USB to power it. And I like to use that USB for music.

I am a bit nervous about tinkering with the fuse box for a hardwired solution.

Flyboy-fil · 10-19-2016, 08:48 AM

Have you looked right under the glovebox? I recall someone mentioning there is a USB for power located down there but I'll be honest in admitting that I've never looked

Cilonen · 10-19-2016, 12:07 PM

Don't you have a 12v socket beneath the glovebox?
I have one on my 530, near the transmission tunnel, powering my dashcam and speed cam detector.

IanS100 · 10-19-2016, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyboy-fil

Have you looked right under the glovebox? I recall someone mentioning there is a USB for power located down there but I'll be honest in admitting that I've never looked

It's a cigarette lighter type 12v outlet, not a USB, and comes as part of one of the optional extra packs

MrPogle · 10-19-2016, 02:58 PM

On a previous car I mounted the unit behind the rear view mirror and then only needed to run a few inches of cable under the headlining to the courtesy light cluster.

Johnny Grabble · 10-20-2016, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shiner

I used to have this on my F11 from 2011. On my 535D it is missing.

I want to power a dash cam, too many crash for cash incidents nowadays. I think the best way, and least visible way, in the absence of the Glovebox USB is to route it to the rear passenger centre console cigar socket, that is never used in my car. I can then hide the cabling completely except for the bit where it would emerge from the rear bench to the cigar socket - a few inches of cable.

Any other ideas? Can't think how to get it into the center console USB to power it. And I like to use that USB for music.

I am a bit nervous about tinkering with the fuse box for a hardwired solution.

The USB on the left hand side inside the glove, (of a RHD car) was deleted a year or so after launch - it was only used for software updates, a function which can now be done through the USB in the centre armrest.
If you have a 12V socket under the glovebox, you can power a dashcam from there using a 12V-USB convertor, it's easy to run the cable inside the passenger side trim all the way around to the mirror housing then hide the dashcam behind the mirror - that's how mine is attached.
Pic shows where to find the 12V socket, if you have it.

shiner · 10-20-2016, 04:24 AM

Thanks , I do not have the USB in the glove box nor do I have the 12v cigar lighter under the glove box either

That USB (that I had in my 2010 F11 520d)was very handy for charging stuff like this.

How did you power from the light cluster in the headlining? I am reluctant to start messing with the car's own wiring in any way whilst it is under warranty though.

MrPogle · 10-20-2016, 06:32 AM

Fair enough. I just found a permanently live wire and tapped into it with a Scotchlok.

Fox530 · 10-21-2016, 06:22 AM

The USB socket in the glovebox is a feature of CIC - it is the service port used for music transfer and map updates.

It was removed on cars with NBT.

t5pilot · 11-01-2016, 08:37 AM

Check this thread out, it's what I'm going to do... Had the dashcam for months but just not got round to it... The voltage step-down chip was only a couple of quid delivered...

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=974007

shiner · 11-01-2016, 09:31 AM

Thanks for sharing, that is a smart solution. The F10/F11 rear view mirror assembly is much more complex though. Need to research into how that comes apart. There is a lot going on around there with the interiorslightning controls etc.

Just like the guy in the thread, I'd want to use quick connects so that I can remove all evidence of this modification if I sold the car or needed to remove it. I would not want to cut the wires on a car under warranty and have to start soldering stuff together. The warranty would be invalidated, I am pretty sure of it.

DB118D · 11-17-2016, 06:29 AM

Isn't the additional 12V socket a cost option these days? I'm sure it was £25 or so on the F10 configurator

un1eash · 11-17-2016, 04:24 PM

I just fitted a nextbase 212 cam to my 2016 F11 and used the hardwire kit plugged into fuse 54 behind the glovebox.

10-19-2016, 07:31 AM	#1
shiner First Lieutenant 44 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 535D MSport Touring Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (0)	What happened to the USB in the Glovebox? I used to have this on my F11 from 2011. On my 535D it is missing. I want to power a dash cam, too many crash for cash incidents nowadays. I think the best way, and least visible way, in the absence of the Glovebox USB is to route it to the rear passenger centre console cigar socket, that is never used in my car. I can then hide the cabling completely except for the bit where it would emerge from the rear bench to the cigar socket - a few inches of cable. Any other ideas? Can't think how to get it into the center console USB to power it. And I like to use that USB for music. I am a bit nervous about tinkering with the fuse box for a hardwired solution. __________________ 2015 F11 535D M Sport Touring, Space Grey, VDC, HUD, Comfort Seats, Sport Auto, Pro Media. GONE 2013 Z4 35is + tons of options. CURRENT
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10-19-2016, 08:48 AM	#2
Flyboy-fil Private 22 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 520d B47 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Hertfordshire iTrader: (0)	Have you looked right under the glovebox? I recall someone mentioning there is a USB for power located down there but I'll be honest in admitting that I've never looked
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10-19-2016, 12:07 PM	#3
Cilonen First Lieutenant 180 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 2021 Tesla M3, 2016 F11 530d Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire iTrader: (0)	Don't you have a 12v socket beneath the glovebox? I have one on my 530, near the transmission tunnel, powering my dashcam and speed cam detector.
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10-19-2016, 02:58 PM	#5
MrPogle Captain 69 Rep 605 Posts Drives: F10 550i M-Sport LCI Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	On a previous car I mounted the unit behind the rear view mirror and then only needed to run a few inches of cable under the headlining to the courtesy light cluster.
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10-20-2016, 04:24 AM	#7
shiner First Lieutenant 44 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 535D MSport Touring Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (0)	Thanks , I do not have the USB in the glove box nor do I have the 12v cigar lighter under the glove box either That USB (that I had in my 2010 F11 520d)was very handy for charging stuff like this. How did you power from the light cluster in the headlining? I am reluctant to start messing with the car's own wiring in any way whilst it is under warranty though. __________________ 2015 F11 535D M Sport Touring, Space Grey, VDC, HUD, Comfort Seats, Sport Auto, Pro Media. GONE 2013 Z4 35is + tons of options. CURRENT
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10-20-2016, 06:32 AM	#8
MrPogle Captain 69 Rep 605 Posts Drives: F10 550i M-Sport LCI Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Fair enough. I just found a permanently live wire and tapped into it with a Scotchlok.
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10-21-2016, 06:22 AM	#9
Fox530 Lieutenant 38 Rep 581 Posts Drives: M340i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	The USB socket in the glovebox is a feature of CIC - it is the service port used for music transfer and map updates. It was removed on cars with NBT. __________________ Current: 2021 M340i xDrive, 2001 530i Sport Previous: 2015 530d M Sport, 2010 530d SE, 2008 335i M Sport
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11-01-2016, 08:37 AM	#10
t5pilot Colonel 978 Rep 2,069 Posts Drives: M4 CP & S1000 XR Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Yorkshire - UK iTrader: (1)	Check this thread out, it's what I'm going to do... Had the dashcam for months but just not got round to it... The voltage step-down chip was only a couple of quid delivered... http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=974007
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11-01-2016, 09:31 AM	#11
shiner First Lieutenant 44 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 535D MSport Touring Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nottingham iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing, that is a smart solution. The F10/F11 rear view mirror assembly is much more complex though. Need to research into how that comes apart. There is a lot going on around there with the interiorslightning controls etc. Just like the guy in the thread, I'd want to use quick connects so that I can remove all evidence of this modification if I sold the car or needed to remove it. I would not want to cut the wires on a car under warranty and have to start soldering stuff together. The warranty would be invalidated, I am pretty sure of it. __________________ 2015 F11 535D M Sport Touring, Space Grey, VDC, HUD, Comfort Seats, Sport Auto, Pro Media. GONE 2013 Z4 35is + tons of options. CURRENT
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11-17-2016, 06:29 AM	#12
DB118D Lieutenant Colonel 1026 Rep 1,670 Posts Drives: 118d Sport Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	Isn't the additional 12V socket a cost option these days? I'm sure it was £25 or so on the F10 configurator
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11-17-2016, 04:24 PM	#13
un1eash Captain 500 Rep 969 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Midlands, UK iTrader: (0)	I just fitted a nextbase 212 cam to my 2016 F11 and used the hardwire kit plugged into fuse 54 behind the glovebox.
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