ThinkWare DashCam Installation Sheet

Read and understand these instructions first before proceeding with the installation of the ThinkWare Dash Cam.

Tools Required

7mm Nut Driver or Socket with Ratchet
8mm Nut Driver or Socket with Ratchet
10mm Nut Driver or Socket with Ratchet
Plastic dash panel removal tool
Drill with Phillips bit
Alcohol Pads

Kit Contents

HWK-TW01-HAR - OBD II Plug-n-Play Thinkware Harness
Forward Facing Camera
Rear facing camera
Connection cable from front to rear camera
IGN-3F Ignition Module
Windshield mount for front facing camera
Micro SD memory card with adapter
2 x 14” Wire Ties
2 x #8 Self Tapping Stinger Head Screws

Installation Instructions

Step 1: Locate OBD II Connector

Locate the OBD II connector in the vehicle and release it from the mounting surface. This may require the removal of two 7 or 8mm nuts from the studs securing it to the under dash (Fig. A) or by depressing the two side clips, with a plastic dash trim tool, securing it behind the drop down plastic cover (Fig. B).

Figure A: Close-up of the OBD II connector port in a vehicle.

Figure B: Underside of a dashboard with a plastic cover removed, showing access to the OBD II port.

Step 2: Connect Harness to OBD II

Connect the male end of the included Plug-n-Play HWK-TW01-HAR to the vehicle's factory OBD II connector (Fig. A).

Figure A: Connecting the HWK-TW01-HAR harness to the vehicle's OBD II port.

Step 3: Secure Harness

Secure the OBD II connector and the harness together using one of the included wire ties and cut off any excess wire tie that is not needed (Fig. B).

Figure B: Securing the OBD II connector and harness with a wire tie.

Step 4: Mount Connector

For Nut and Bolt style mounting: Place the left ear of the connector over the left factory stud and replace and tighten the 8mm nut removed in step 1. Secure the right ear of the connector to the under dash using the included self-tapping screw (Fig. C).

For clip-in style mounting: Feed the body of the harness into the dash opening and secure the connector to the dash using the included self-tapping screws (Fig. D).

Figure C: Connecting the harness to a factory stud using an 8mm nut and self-tapping screw for nut-and-bolt mounting.

Figure D: Securing the harness connector to the dash using self-tapping screws for clip-in mounting.

Step 5: Route Power Cable

Remove the A-Pillar trim panel; this may require the removal of 2 x 10mm bolts. Route the Thinkware power cable over to the driver side of the vehicle, up the A-Pillar (Fig. E) and across the front of the headliner (Fig. F & G) so that it exits the headliner at the factory notch above the rearview mirror. NOTE: When routing cables near the side curtain airbag, be sure to route them in a way that will not impact the airbags’ ability to deploy in the event of an accident.

Figure E: Routing the Thinkware power cable up the A-pillar of a vehicle.

Figure F: Routing the power cable across the headliner towards the rearview mirror.

Figure G: Routing the power cable exiting the headliner near the rearview mirror.

Step 6: Mount Front Camera

Clean and dry the mounting location with an alcohol pad prior to mounting the camera. Slide the camera into the mount and secure it to the windshield using the pre-installed adhesive pad on the mount (Fig. A). Be sure to mount the dash cam behind the rear view mirror in a manner to not obstruct the view of the driver while positioning the camera lens as close to the center of the vehicle and as level as possible. Connecting to the dash cam using the Thinkware smartphone app may be necessary to fine tune the up and down adjustment so that the picture is adequate.

Figure A: Mounting the dash cam unit to the windshield using the adhesive pad, positioned behind the rearview mirror.

Step 7: Bundle Cables

Bundle and secure all leftover cable (Fig. B).

Figure B: Bundling and securing excess cables near the dashboard.

For vehicles with combustion engines ONLY

Step 8a: Connect IGN-3F

With the vehicle's ignition in the OFF position, connect the IGN-3F to the 10-Pin Molex connector located on the HWK-TW01-HAR (Fig. C).

Figure C: Connecting the IGN-3F module to the HWK-TW01-HAR 10-Pin Molex connector.

For vehicles with electric motors ONLY

Step 8b: Connect to Accessory Power

Locate the closest switched power Accessory Power Receptacle (Cig Plug) and gain access to the harness on the back side. Connect the provided power receptacle "T" harness in-line with the factory harness and the receptacle (Fig. D). Route the 10 pin Molex side of the "T" harness to the OBDII area and connect it to the mating 10 Pin Molex connector installed previously.

Figure D: Connecting the "T" harness to the accessory power receptacle and routing it towards the OBDII area.

Steps 9 & 10: Ignition Signal and Securing (For vehicles with combustion engines only)

With the vehicle's ignition in the OFF position and the IGN-3F plugged in, the LED should be emitting a slow consistent flash. The LED will change from a flashing state to being ON solid once the vehicle is started. When the LED is ON solid, a phantom ignition signal will be sent to the dash cam to turn it on and will remain on during the event of a start/stop sequence. The LED and dash cam will turn off 2 minutes and 30 seconds after the vehicle is shut down.

Image showing the IGN-3F module with a red LED indicator.

Using the included wire tie, secure the module and the factory OBD II junction under the dash or kick panel in a way that will not impact the airbags' ability to deploy in the event of an accident.

Step 11: Reinstall Trim

Ensure that any and all of the vehicles trim that may have been removed during the previous installation steps is reinstalled.

Rear Facing Camera Installation (Optional)

Step 12: Route Rear Camera Cable

Using the techniques mentioned earlier, tuck and route the cable in the headliner from the front camera to the mounting position of the rear camera. The cable will have a label stating which side should be routed to the front of the vehicle. See Fig. A - D for clarification. NOTE: When routing cables near the side curtain airbag, be sure to route them in a way that will not impact the airbags’ ability to deploy in the event of an accident.

Figure A: Routing the rear camera cable through the headliner.

Figure B: Routing the rear camera cable through the headliner.

Figure C: Routing the rear camera cable through the headliner.

Figure D: Routing the rear camera cable through the headliner.

Step 13: Mount Rear Camera

Clean and dry mounting location with an alcohol pad prior to mounting camera. Mount the camera on the rear window using the supplied adhesive on the camera. Keep in mind to not mount camera in a location that will interfere with rear view mirror visibility. Connecting to the dash cam using the Thinkware smartphone app may be necessary to verify that the picture is right side up and the entire rear of vehicle is in the frame. See Fig. E and F for clarification.

Figure E: Showing the rear camera being mounted on the rear window.

Figure F: Illustrating verifying the rear camera's field of view.

Step 14: Reinstall Trim