General Sat Nav/TomTom Hardwire

[MF-Racing]

Hi guys,

I’ve just bought a TomTom ONE sat nav for my beloved 3 door 1.6 Stilo and instead of having the charger wire trailing over the gearstick/dash I would like to hard wire it into the car somehow.

Where would the best place to be to pick up a 12v switched feed from?

How would I go about getting the wire up to the windscreen area? I would like to hide as much as the cable as possible, but I don’t really want to be pulling out loads of the dash to be fitting it!

Anyone got any ideas? I’ve had a look at the amp wiring guide but this does not indicate the best route up for a wire up to the windscreen…

Anyone done this before?

Thanks in advance!
Matt

 

[bozzy]

Mines done. If you take out the stereo and the air controls you can feed the wire down through the centre console out by the leg-well. Take off the large panel to the left of your foot and continue to thread it through towards the cigarette lighter. As you near the lighter the cable comes back out the centre console and up to the lighter. Not quite hardwired but only a snip or two away. It's up to you how much wire shows at each end.

 

[MF-Racing]

Thanks very much...

Just been thinking, I've found out that the TomTom runs on 5v not 12v, so i would need to keep the original power cable to run it. I was thinking of putting the unit on the right hand side of my windscreen and then installing somthing like this (http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr2251.html) in to the fusebox and somehow tapping into a 12volt supply there. Then I could just plug in the original tomtom cable and run it the short distance up to the windscreen behind the door/dash rubber.

How would I get a 12V switched feed from the fuse box?

Thanks

 

[bozzy]

Two members (Deckchair & rroope) will no doubt be here with the answer to that one shortly!! I ain't got a clue.

 

[MF-Racing]

Two members (Deckchair & rroope) will no doubt be here with the answer to that one shortly!! I ain't got a clue.

OK, thanks for your help mate

 

[Argonought]

How would I get a 12V switched feed from the fuse box?

Be very careful with this.

The switched cigar lighter supply is fairly safe on the Stilo but other supplies may not be.

Lots of PDA/GPS systems get taken out by voltage transients created when starting

 

[Rich]

There are lots of places to get a switched +12V feed from, especially on the fusebox breakout looms. Ignition switched feed is denoted by blue cables; of course remember that there is also the accessory line, which gets killed when you start the car.

If it were me, I'd take it from the main fusebox connector or body computer loom, as these connectors can be split so the job will look original (did this with the start button installation). Just get a multimeter and check.

 

[MF-Racing]

There are lots of places to get a switched +12V feed from, especially on the fusebox breakout looms. Ignition switched feed is denoted by blue cables; of course remember that there is also the accessory line, which gets killed when you start the car.

If it were me, I'd take it from the main fusebox connector or body computer loom, as these connectors can be split so the job will look original (did this with the start button installation). Just get a multimeter and check.

Thanks a lot for this mate!

I'm going to have a go at doing it this weekend :idea: I'll take lots of pictures and make a guide to put up on here as long as I don’t set my car on fire!

A few questions I’m wondering if you can help me with:

I'm going to use the accessory line and wire in a separate lighter socket (http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr2251.html) and have this stored in the fusebox (looks likes there is loads of space in there). Sounds like the accessory line is the safest as it’s killed when the car starts. Now, which wire is this in the fuse box? Any chance of any picture to help me along? Will I need to remove the fuse holder to get to the wires at the back?

What’s the best way to tap into the wire? Scotchlocks? I also need an earth (-ve) as well. Where’s the best place to pick this up from in the fuse box?

Do I need to wire in a fuse or anything like that?

Any advice much appreciated!

Thanks
Matt
:worship:

 

[TheItalianJob]

Hi Matt,

I’ve got a TomTom GO 700 which I’ve mounted in the bottom corner of the windscreen beside the A-pillar. That way the TomTom can lean against the pillar to steady it and stop it vibrating (I think the new “One’s” have more solid mounts than the GO 300 / 500 / 700 range).

I’ve run a 12v extension lead (I think it cost about £3 off eBay) from the power socket under the arm-rest, down the side of the driver’s seat and under the seat. The TomTom power lead plugs into the extension lead just under the front of the seat and is covered by the carpet mat. I’ve tucked the cable just under the plastic trim along the door sill, threaded it up past the bonnet release and pushed it between the side of the dash and the rubber door seal.

That way there’s only a couple of inches of wire visible where it comes out of the back of the TomTom mount and disappears down the side of the dash. I also have the microphone for the TomTom Bluetooth handsfree facility mounted at the top of the plastic A-pillar trim and the spare wire tucked down the side of the dash, so there is no wire visible.

The extension cable coming from the 12v socket isn’t visible as it’s covered by the arm rest. Doing it this way means you don’t have to cut up the TomTom power lead. Unfortunately I don’t know what I’m doing with car electrics or I’d try what you’re doing!

 

[MF-Racing]

Hi Matt,

I’ve got a TomTom GO 700 which I’ve mounted in the bottom corner of the windscreen beside the A-pillar. That way the TomTom can lean against the pillar to steady it and stop it vibrating (I think the new “One’s” have more solid mounts than the GO 300 / 500 / 700 range).

I’ve run a 12v extension lead (I think it cost about £3 off eBay) from the power socket under the arm-rest, down the side of the driver’s seat and under the seat. The TomTom power lead plugs into the extension lead just under the front of the seat and is covered by the carpet mat. I’ve tucked the cable just under the plastic trim along the door sill, threaded it up past the bonnet release and pushed it between the side of the dash and the rubber door seal.

That way there’s only a couple of inches of wire visible where it comes out of the back of the TomTom mount and disappears down the side of the dash. I also have the microphone for the TomTom Bluetooth handsfree facility mounted at the top of the plastic A-pillar trim and the spare wire tucked down the side of the dash, so there is no wire visible.

The extension cable coming from the 12v socket isn’t visible as it’s covered by the arm rest. Doing it this way means you don’t have to cut up the TomTom power lead. Unfortunately I don’t know what I’m doing with car electrics or I’d try what you’re doing!

Thanks very much, i'll do this if i cant get it hardwired

I have it mounted in the same place as you as it seem pretty sturdy, just got loads of cable across the dash! No armrest so it sticks out of the lighter socket as well.

Anyone with advice on the hardwire? I'm going to do it this weekend for sure!!

Thanks :worship:

 

[Rich]

Hey Matt

Apologies for me not responding in a while. Right, I give the following as a guide only; as I say, I did this with my Stilo, but can't guarantee anything!

You need to remove the fusebox cover. To do this, firstly peel back the door rubber at the back of the A-pillar that runs along the dash. Open the door, and undo the two allen-bolts at the bottom and the two Torx screws at the top, and gently pull the cover/door off - it unclips at the back of the dash, by pulling it towards the back of the car and out to the right simultaneously.

Now, undo the connectors on the body computer. You need to find a blue wire, and put a multimeter on it to check voltage, and see that it breaks when you start the car - I can look for the exact connector and pin tomorrow. Now, me being me, I actually cut the feed from the wire and made my own detachable wiring loom using proper connectors that FIAT use, so it looks completely original. A bit too far maybe, but I like it.

Earth - take it from anywhere, there are plenty to choose from, such as a mounting bolt from the steering column or the stereo earth . . .

Inline fuse - the TomTom connector will have its own fuse, so I'd say that one isn't required, but it's up to you.

One thing - when fitting the side trim back, it fits much better if you put the rubber back on the A-pillar first, then clip the trim in!

PM me if you want any help tomorrow!

 

[Big Black Stilo]

Hmmm.....

I have been tempted to do this for a while as my stilo fag lighter eats fuses for no reason (well there must be one but can i find it?), mostly when not used.

I was thinking of taking a feed off my head unit for it, i take it this isnt wise?

 

[MF-Racing]

Hey Matt

Apologies for me not responding in a while. Right, I give the following as a guide only; as I say, I did this with my Stilo, but can't guarantee anything!

You need to remove the fusebox cover. To do this, firstly peel back the door rubber at the back of the A-pillar that runs along the dash. Open the door, and undo the two allen-bolts at the bottom and the two Torx screws at the top, and gently pull the cover/door off - it unclips at the back of the dash, by pulling it towards the back of the car and out to the right simultaneously.

Now, undo the connectors on the body computer. You need to find a blue wire, and put a multimeter on it to check voltage, and see that it breaks when you start the car - I can look for the exact connector and pin tomorrow. Now, me being me, I actually cut the feed from the wire and made my own detachable wiring loom using proper connectors that FIAT use, so it looks completely original. A bit too far maybe, but I like it.

Earth - take it from anywhere, there are plenty to choose from, such as a mounting bolt from the steering column or the stereo earth . . .

Inline fuse - the TomTom connector will have its own fuse, so I'd say that one isn't required, but it's up to you.

One thing - when fitting the side trim back, it fits much better if you put the rubber back on the A-pillar first, then clip the trim in!

PM me if you want any help tomorrow!

Hi Rich,

Thanks very much for this! Very helpful!!

I haven’t got round to doing this yet as last weekend I replaced both drop links and changed the oil and filter. I am going to do it sometime soon (this weekend fingers crossed!) and I’ll make sure I take lots of photos for the guide.

A few questions that I hope you can help with…

Are you able to remember the exact connector and pin and if possible take a picture of it?

What do you think the best way to tap into the wire is? Scotchloks? Don’t think I be able to get the correct connectors like you, though that would be fantastic. You don’t have any pics of how you have done yours do you?

Also, do you know of anyway to pick up a good switched 12v feed from behind the Radio? Will any blue wire do? I may sometimes mount the TomTom on the centre vent and it would good to have a power lead there as well.

Thanks again! :worship: