[OrcaPod]

Hi all,
I have 2011 BMW 528i and was wondering if there are any way for one of the cigarette lighter sockets to stop drawing electricity once engine is off?
Can it be done with some coding and without re-wiring/messing with wires?

either front, armrest or rear-seat socket will do for me.
I d like to use either of them for dashcam and not to plug/unplug dashcam every time i drive. it seems that they still provide power with engine off.
Thank you!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by OrcaPod

Hi all,
I have 2011 BMW 528i and was wondering if there are any way for one of the cigarette lighter sockets to stop drawing electricity once engine is off?
Can it be done with some coding and without re-wiring/messing with wires?

either front, armrest or rear-seat socket will do for me.
I d like to use either of them for dashcam and not to plug/unplug dashcam every time i drive. it seems that they still provide power with engine off.
Thank you!

I hardwired my radar detector using an add-a-fuse. You might try that route: it really isn't that hard.

I seriously doubt power to the outlet can be coded out. I guess you could wire in a switch...

[OrcaPod]

Hi ezaircon4jc
Can you please share more details on how you did it?
Thanks a bunch!

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by OrcaPod

Hi ezaircon4jc
Can you please share more details on how you did it?
Thanks a bunch!

Sure...

I just ran the "phone" cord (that's the wiring for the V1) down the passenger side "A" pillar (what a pain in the keister THAT was to reinstall!!) and used an add-a-fuse to fuse #43 in the fuse box behind the glove box. You could probably just stuff the wires behind the "A" pillar trim piece without removing it; might have to pull back the weather stripping... The add-a-fuse keeps the "appliance" and main fuse on different circuits.

[OrcaPod]

Thank you, ezaircon4jc !

[bake]

The cigarette lighter is only powered for a few minutes after you turn off the vehicle. It is not constant power. So your dashcam will only run for about 8 mins after you shut off and lock your vehicle. I actually like this feature as my dashcam is powered the same way and it allows you to record footage for the short period after walking away from your car.

[OrcaPod]

Originally Posted by bake

The cigarette lighter is only powered for a few minutes after you turn off the vehicle. It is not constant power. So your dashcam will only run for about 8 mins after you shut off and lock your vehicle. I actually like this feature as my dashcam is powered the same way and it allows you to record footage for the short period after walking away from your car.

Thanks a lot, bake, for the response.
It saved me from the extra work on add-on fuse. I'll try you suggestion.

[vault90]

Originally Posted by OrcaPod

Hi all,
I have 2011 BMW 528i and was wondering if there are any way for one of the cigarette lighter sockets to stop drawing electricity once engine is off?
Can it be done with some coding and without re-wiring/messing with wires?

either front, armrest or rear-seat socket will do for me.
I d like to use either of them for dashcam and not to plug/unplug dashcam every time i drive. it seems that they still provide power with engine off.
Thank you!

I plug my dash cam into the socket underneath the glove box. It's completely hidden that way and it only stays on for 5-10 minutes after the car shuts off.