Fitting a dashcam
 

The only threat I could find is some months old so I thought I'd start afresh.

I want to fit a 2 channel dash cam and intend to do so myself. I have no concerns around doing this (unless you know better) apart from running the wire down the A pillar. The obvious way is to remove the trim but I'm very aware that an air bag is involved. Has anyone removed the trim and if so, how ? Also, can anyone recommend a good, currently available dash cam?

Many thanks,

Frank

MY 17 V90

The only Volvo I've done this on is my C70, but I have installed dash cams on other cars with A pillar airbags, and not once have I removed the trim.

I've found there's enough 'give' in the trim to simply tuck the cable behind the headlining across the top of the windscreen, then between the headlining and the top of the A pillar trim to bring the cable away from the w/screen, using a thin plastic spatula, or screwdriver if you're careful.

Then push it behind the door seal and route as necessary down into the cabin. You might have to ease the door seal back a tad, depending on the seal's profile.

HTH

I wouldnt recommend this method.

When you cross the pillar at the top to then go down the door seal you are crossing across the deployment zone of the curtain airbag and potentially might stop it from working properly.

I took off the a pillar trim (which is easy) and kept the wire to the back of the airbag routed with the other wires and pipes in there. It is not a difficult job. Pop out the little plastic rectangle of trim, undo the bolt behind and then it just clips in and out.

^^^ This.

Is there a recommendation for a dashcam in an XC90 now then? I had read they were not recommended due to interference with various radio transmissions around windscreen area of XC90. I think specifically it mentioned not to fit near the binnacle behind rear view mirror.
I have a Nextbase dashcam and was hoping to use that in the (soon to arrive XC90) but is there a type more suitable / have Volvo now come up with a recommendation?

Afaik there's no official recommendation. Attached pic shows the safe area outside the yellow lines where the radar and camera will not be obstructed. Note that it does not imply that an electrically noisy or faulty device will be safe.
_

I really wish manufacturers would just offer this as a built in option. Mine has a the 360 cameras, surely these could just feed to somewhere, and store on an SD card. I think a lot of people would pay for it as an optional extra.

I have a next base dash cam on my T8 and it sits nicely next to the rearview mirror with no interference at all, 5 months and 7,000 miles.

The wire being tucked behind the trim to my mind would not stop an explosive airbag from deployment - you are not wrapping airbag in wire and they are designed to blow trim off!

I also have a Nextbase unit fitted by myself. No problems in ten months, just ran wire down A pillar. Changing car this week and Dealer is to wire into new car for me so will see if they do it any different.

I've fitted one of these into my V90: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5-Mini-...gAAOSwoudW7~0P

If sits very neatly next to the Intellisafe housing at the top of the windscreen on the driver's side. I ran the power cable across the headlining, down the A pillar and plugged into one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Way-12v...97.m4902.l9144 which is fed from the rear seat 12v socket and neatly tucked behind and fixed on the transmission tunnel carpet next to my knee.

I removed the A pillar trim by prising out the little plastic IC logo, there is a small bolt behind it which holds the pillar trim in place.

The whole job took less than an hour and could be removed in half that time, there are no visible wires, in fact my local dealer commented on the neatness and asked where I'd had it fitted!

Paul