Cleaning up a fleet dash camera install

We were called in to clean up a fleet dash camera install that someone else had improperly installed. The job ended up being simple: remove the risky wiring, reroute everything correctly, secure it behind the airbag housing, and make sure the camera actually points where it should. Below I’ll walk you through what we found, why it mattered, how we fixed it, and the best practices every fleet owner should follow.

What we found when we opened the dash

The initial install had the camera power wires jammed straight into the fuse box — not properly fused, not secured, and definitely not routed safely.

Wires jammed into the fuse box

Worse: the cable was routed directly over the airbag where the airbag deploys. If the airbag were to deploy, that area is designed to shoot outward — anything over it can become a hazard or get cut during deployment.

Cable routed over airbag canister

Why this was dangerous

Running wires across an airbag or leaving loose power connections at the fuse box creates multiple risks:

  • Interference with airbag deployment — the airbag housing is an active safety system; you don’t want anything pinned to it.
  • Short circuits or improper fusing — jammed wires can create unreliable connections that overheat or fail.
  • Unsecured camera angles and exposed wiring — reduces reliability and looks unprofessional.

If you want more technical reading on routing dashcam wiring around airbags, check our guide: https://safedrivesolutions.com/blogs/resources/dashcam-wiring-by-airbags-in-a-vehicle

How we fixed it — step by step

We follow a consistent approach for repairs like this: make it safe, make it tidy, and make it functional.

  1. Disconnect and inspect. We removed the existing connections and inspected for damage.
  2. Reroute the cable safely. The power cable was moved behind the airbag assembly so it does not interfere with the deployment path. Once behind the trim it was zip-tied into place so it cannot move.
  3. Secure the power source properly. Instead of wires jammed into the fuse block, we used a proper connection point — in this case the back side of the OBD2 plug — and made a reliable soldered joint that was then electrical taped and secured.

Soldered and taped connection to OBD2 plug

Note: we soldered and taped the connection for long-term reliability. For many installs we recommend proper hardwire kits or OBD2 power cables made for dash cams (they include overcurrent protection). See our IROAD OBD power cable product page for details: https://safedrivesolutions.com/products/iroad-obd-power-cable

Camera alignment and final cleanup

Once the wiring was secure and hidden, we adjusted the camera so it points where it should. We always confirm angles before finishing the trim and removing protective covers.

Adjusting camera angle

Don’t forget to remove the lens cover before handing the vehicle back.

Removing the lens cover

Final check: wires tucked, zip-tied, no loose cables in the dash, and the camera viewing angles verified.

Final result — hidden wires and correct camera angle

Best practices for fleet dash cam installs

  • Use a professional installer or follow a certified hardwiring method — a clean install is a safe install. See our installation service page: https://safedrivesolutions.com/pages/dash-cam-installation
  • When possible, use purpose-built OBD2 or hardwire kits that include overcurrent protection: https://safedrivesolutions.com/products/iroad-obd-power-cable
  • Never route cables over airbag deployment paths — tuck them behind trim and secure with zip ties.
  • Secure and protect all connections (solder or quality crimp, heat shrink or proper insulating tape).
  • Verify camera angles and remove lens covers before returning vehicles to drivers.

If you manage a fleet and want a reliable, professional service that comes to you, our mobile install team can handle single vehicles or large fleets: https://safedrivesolutions.com/pages/mobile-dashcam-install-service

Recommended accessories and products

For fleet and commercial installs, we stock reliable dash cams and accessories built for daily use. A few options we commonly install:

  • Viofo A229 Pro 4K — great front/rear performance: https://safedrivesolutions.com/products/viofo-a229-pro-4k-front-rear
  • Vueroid D21 4K — high-quality 4K recording: https://safedrivesolutions.com/products/vueroid-d21-4k
  • Hardwire kits and power accessories (HK4, Thinkware power cables, battery packs): https://safedrivesolutions.com/products/viofo-hk4-hardwire-kit and https://safedrivesolutions.com/products/thinkware-twa-sh
  • Industrial-grade microSD cards for reliable recording: https://safedrivesolutions.com/products/viofo-microsd-card-u3-a2-v30-high-speed-memory-card-with-adapter-support-ultra-hd-4k-video-recording-copy

Why choose a professional install

We fix problems like this every week. A professional install minimizes liability, keeps safety systems intact, and ensures the camera will keep recording when it needs to. If you’re not sure whether your current installs are safe, you can get a professional inspection or a full re-install.

Read more about why professional installation matters: https://safedrivesolutions.com/blogs/resources/get-your-dash-cam-professionally-installed and learn the top five reasons to get pros to do it: https://safedrivesolutions.com/blogs/resources/top-5-reasons-professional-dash-cam-installation

"This fleet camera was not installed by us, but we were asked to fix it."

Wrap up — practical next steps

If you manage vehicles, don’t leave dash cam wiring to chance. A tidy, correctly routed install protects airbags, prevents electrical issues, and gives you usable footage when it counts.

Want us to take a look or get a quote? Start here: https://safedrivesolutions.com/pages/dash-cam-installation or request a free quote: https://safedrivesolutions.com/pages/dash-cam-quote

Our home page and contact info: https://safedrivesolutions.com/

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