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Dashcam Install on 2016 XLE

42661 Views 45 Replies 34 Participants Last post by  fusion
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I purchased a 2016 Sienna XLE and I wanted an easier way to install a dash cam than I had done on my previous car. Having a dashcam feels like an added level of insurance in case someone runs a red light and hits me for example or other random things happen that I want recorded...

So, here are some pictures of the install. The specialized parts I ordered really made the difference. It saved me from long wire runs and adding circuits or in-lines fuses. So far, I've had it installed for 2 months and it's been working very well. No problems. Also, this is my first post ,so if I break rules, or don't do this right.. Sorry, I'll fix it if needed. 0:)

First off, I got this camera (a while ago, I think they have a newer one now):
Rexing V1 2.4" LCD FHD 1080p 170° Wide Angle Dashboard Camera Recorder Car Dash Cam with G-Sensor, WDR, Loop Recording
https://www.amazon.com/Rexing-Dashboard-Recorder-G-Sensor-Recording/dp/B00X528FNE

Second, ordered these parts:
SimpleUSB Automotive 12V to USB Adapter & Micro USB cable combo
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AYS4JZ4/
Wire Cable Technology Electronic device Electrical connector
Cable Wire Technology Electronic device Electrical connector


StarTech Micro USB to Mini USB 2.0 Adapter F/M
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002O1S8IE/

Cable Wire Electronic device Technology Electrical connector


Next, find the ACC power and Ground on the connector for the auto-dimming rear view mirror. On my car it's the blue wire for ACC and white wire/black stripe for ground. Note, the orange/redish wire is constant power. I used the ACC power wire because it is electrified when the car is on or in ACC mode and turns off when the power is off. The dashcam is designed mostly for that application. It receives power and starts recording immediately, then when it senses the power is off (the car is off), it shuts down safely because it has a small built-in battery/capacitor. It's really "set it and forget it" hands-free and I really like that. I only go to it if I need to save a file off it if something happened on the road.

So, use the tapping pins to tap into the connector.
Cable Technology Finger Hand Electronic device
Auto part Vehicle Car Steering wheel Family car


Connect the wires together and test it out. It should be working already if you have made a good connection.
Finger Arm Hand Technology Electronic device


If all is well, mount it up there and you're good to go.
Vehicle Car Windshield Automotive mirror Rear-view mirror
Windshield Glass Automotive exterior Vehicle Car


Note: I tidied up the wires later with zip ties/wire ties. I also moved the camera up a few inches higher on my windshield to hide it more behind the top tinting & black dots. (Of course, making sure the camera lens is facing through clear glass)

Here's how this camera works. Simply, it has about 5 hours of record time. It records 3 minutes loops which over lap slightly so as not to lose any data or frames. When the memory card is full, it automatically deletes the oldest loops first. It's all automatic. If you see something you want to save for later, you press the OK button and it saves that file and nearby files (+ and - 3 minutes) onto a special folder on the memory card which will be saved and not overwritten. If you're in an accident, and cannot hit the button, a G sensor will detect that jolt and automatically do it for you. There's an add-on GPS sensor and rearview sensor that I may add in the future. For now, it works great for my needs.

Basically, I spent enough time on https://www.reddit.com/r/roadcam to realize I want a dashcam!!

I bet you could use these parts for other applications. Phone chargers, radar detectors, etc.. I appreciate how these car forums have helped me in the past, so I figured it's time to contribute. Good luck!
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Nice clean implementation! For mine, I tucked the cable across the roof liner seam, down thru the pillar and thru the dash to an add-a-fuse in the circuit for the upper 12V outlet in the front dash. It always kind of bothered me that I have to keep the fuse box's cover removed to accomodate the add-a-fuse, as it sits quite a bit higher than the rest of the fuses. I thought about using the mirror's power wires but didn't want messy splices in there -- where did you get the tapping pins?

Do you plan on installing a rear camera as well?
Thanks graure. The tapping pins come in a kit I got off amazon. Search "SimpleUSB Automotive 12V to USB Adapter & Micro USB cable combo" and you'll find them. It's about $20. Here's the link if it works. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AYS4JZ4/
I don't plan on doing the rear camera anytime soon, but I would like to have it someday.
This is EXCELLENT!

I went down this path once as I really wanted one in our DD but the reviews weren't so great, each camera had something about it I didn't like, and eventually, I ran out of time to keep reading/researching on it. This post may get me motivated again ;)
Not a bad first post.... What do you think, guys. Should we allow him to stay, or should I delete his account? ;-)
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I have 2 lukas 790 with UPC so it can even record while car is off to a certain point
Thanks for this! I have the same dashcam and just bought a 2016 XLE yesterday!
Thanks for the great write-up, I used these instructions to install on my 2012.
Wiring colors were right on.
This is a great write-up. Thanks! Although I didn't see this until after I had already installed my Dash Cam, knowing that I could use the power from the rear view mirror is a pretty cool idea that I didn't even think of. But in any case, the camera I bought had all the wiring for me to simply plug it right into the driver side fuse box. Like graure already mentioned, the only thing I don't like about having the wires plugging into the fuse box is that I can't put the cover back on cuz the fuse taps are too big and stick out.

Just so other guys going thru this thread who might want to know, the pic below is where I plugged the fuse taps that were on the wiring harness that came with my camera.
The red wire is the ACC to trigger the camera on and the yellow wire is for constant power. There's a black wire as well not in the pic that I ran to a gnd screw near by.
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Or do it the easy way with a beanbag dashcam holder from eBay for about $15. You will have to flip the image upside down in the settings of the camera.

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Or do it the easy way with a beanbag dashcam holder from eBay for about $15. You will have to flip the image upside down in the settings of the camera.
Easy way?? Lol, the way in the original post took me 5 minutes and $20 and looks MUCH better than your beanbag method.
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Thanks for the guide. I plan to do the same. Do you notice a drop off in range/power of your Homelink when you tap into the mirror power?

I did this on my old car and thought the Dashcam was sucking up power, but not sure if it was in my head or real :)
Hi Sienne_doc, I use the homelink daily for the garage door openers and I have not noticed any problems at all. There seems to be plenty of Volts & Amps to spare on this circuit.
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Just installed my dashcam. The 12V to USB converter pins were a little short making it hard to jam into the electrical harness and make consistent contact. I had to resolder longer pins to get secure contact. Works like a charm!

With the Rexing dashcam, I also bought a LEFT ANGLE mini usb adapter so that the cable would sit inline with the unit rather than protruding out.
Just installed my dashcam. The 12V to USB converter pins were a little short making it hard to jam into the electrical harness and make consistent contact. I had to resolder longer pins to get secure contact. Works like a charm!

With the Rexing dashcam, I also bought a LEFT ANGLE mini usb adapter so that the cable would sit inline with the unit rather than protruding out.
<strike>sienna_doc: What did you use for you longer pins? I'm having a similar problem with contact stability.</strike>

I solved my problem by tearing an old serial cable apart and carefully removing the D-Sub pins. The pin's diameter was a perfect fit compared to the adapter's original pins.
And how your camera work so far?
I'm not an expert but suggest voltage for those kind of cameras is 5V, and 2A,
Here is link for hard wire kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXC2329/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
Hi krzysio2000,
Yes, the dashcam has been working fine since I installed it about 10 months ago. The pins have stayed solidly in the back of the auto dim mirror's connector. The part you suggested would work well too. I think there are lots of 12V to 5V step down regulators that would work here.
I liked the one I used because I had never tried it with "tapping pins" that are just tapping into the back of a connector with no splicing. I figured I'd give it a try and it's worked fine and the install was very quick. Sure, the connection isn't as ideal as a real connector, but it's worked really well for my install. I think the "tapping pins" are really just "breadboard jumper wires" that they soldered onto the end of the wires. Pretty neat idea.
Thanks for the sharing. Tried the same thing and works great. My wife is extremely happy about the invisible dash cam on her Sienna.
I just installed a Thinkware F750 in my 2016 SE. I planned on using a power cord from MirrorTap, but that was a no go. The install was easy enough, but didn't actually power on the camera for more than 3 minutes. Temporarily I am using the provided power cable into the old cigarette lighter. The cable was easy enough to hide in the headliner. If everything works fine after a week or so, I'll get the Thinkware hardwire kit.
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