T3x And Tomtom Sat Nav

[craggy]

Hi All

This is my first post here so go easy on me.

I'm going to be buying a T3x withing the next couple of months and will probably get the tomtom Go satnav to go with it.

Has anyone had any experience of running the tomotm with the t3x as I believe it connects through the cigarette lighter. Is this a tight fit or is there nothing to worry about.

Thanks in advance

Craig

[Mkuk0]

Hi Craig, as it happens I done exactly the same as you are intending! I purchased a cigarette lighter doubler, i.e. device that plugs into cig lighter and gives 2 sockets. Then I removed the gear lever surround trim which gives access to a HUGE space below heater controls. I removed plug from new adaptor and hard wired to feed for standard cig lighter. Then I ran cable for tom tom behind dash to new plug point, which was tucked into aforementioned huge space, and refitted gear lever surround. This gives me a permanent, switched supply for Tom tom, and one other if I require, keeps Dash nice and tidy, and leaves me with cig lighter socket still free as well.

If this sounds too complicated, PM me and we can meet up, if you like. or if others are interested, I'll try and post a more detailed description with pics!

[craggy]

Thanks for the quick reply. I still havent purchased the car but I'm just getting all the information ready for when I do.

How long would you estimate it would take to do a job like this? Does it mean that the Tomotom device is no longer portable?

If you have instructions/pics I'd be interested to see

Craig

Hi Craig, as it happens I done exactly the same as you are intending!  I purchased a cigarette lighter doubler, i.e. device that plugs into cig lighter and gives 2 sockets.  Then I removed the gear lever surround trim which gives access to a HUGE space below heater controls.  I removed plug from new adaptor and hard wired to feed for standard cig lighter.  Then I ran cable for tom tom behind dash to new plug point, which was tucked into aforementioned huge space, and refitted gear lever surround.  This gives me a permanent, switched supply for Tom tom, and one other if I require, keeps Dash nice and tidy, and leaves me with cig lighter socket still free as well.

If this sounds too complicated, PM me and we can meet up, if you like.  or if others are interested, I'll try and post a more detailed description with pics!

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[Mkuk0]

No problem mate, the Tomtom is still portable, it clips onto a cradle which you attach via a sucker to the windscreen, so you can remove Tomtom and take inside for safe keeping, the charging lead plugs into the cradle so you don't have to faff around plugging leads in all the while. The mod took me about 25 mins, including figuring out how to dismantle the centre console. I'll strip it down and take some pics when I get a min, probably over the weekend now.

[runboy]

Don't forget the rear power socket-you could then leave it plugged in but then pop the tomtom unit in the arm rest cubby out of sight when not in use!

[Mkuk0]

Quick update, Daughter 'aquired' camera for weekend so didn't get a chance to take pics as promised, haven't forgotten though!

[craggy]

Thanks for the update

I'll keep my eyes peeled for future developments

Quick update, Daughter 'aquired' camera for weekend so didn't get a chance to take pics as promised, haven't forgotten though!

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[Mkuk0]

Ok here we go, hope this makes sense!

Centre console is removed by inserted flat blade under rear edge and tilting up, there are 4 tongues that hold it in place at the top edge, dont forget to unscrew gear knob first, as you can see.....I did!

Once gear knob is removed, the shroud slides straight off, and the console can be lifted away, there is one plug, for the cigarette lighter which needs disconnecting

Sorry that one was a bit blurry

Ok next you need to get your adapter and remove the plug from the end, the one I bought was similar to this and you can get them from Halfords and other motorist centres

Work out which of the 2 wires is the positive (dismantle the plug and see which wire feeds the centre pin) and scotchlok this one to the pink and silver wire on the lead for the cigarette lighter that you disconnected earlier

The other wire then needs a ring crimp capable of fitting over a 7mm bolt fitting to the end, I removed the left hand bolt as shown here, to get a good earth connection. I used an OBA black crimp, but the hole needed enlarging slightly, I think you can get other sizes from the likes of Halfords etc.

You can see the hole where the bolt was on the left, and just catch the RH bolt on the right. Once I had unscrewed it with a deep socket I had to use pliars to get it out, be careful if you drop it, its a pig to recover from under all that gubbins!!!

Here's another pic with a screwdriver pointing out bolt hole

Ok refit the bolt with the ring crimp under it. Now its time to run the Tomtom power lead, basically I fed mine from the centre console, behind and under the steering column, (be careful to avoid fouling the Knee airbag) and poked it out by the door trim, fed it up and into the Tomtom sucker bracket

Finally, plug it into your new adaptor, there is PLENTY of room to store it in centre console area (see earlier pic) Clip on your tomtom and turn on ignition. If you get green light on tomtom, then you are successful!

Now just carefully refit console cover, not forgetting to reconnect the cigarette lighter plug, and re-attach gear knob.

Jobs a good 'un!

Hope that all makes sense, if not I'll be happy to explain further :D

[craggy]

Thanks

Thats a really excellent explanation. I've got demo car for the next couple of days and then I take the plunge and will probably buy sometime next month. This masterclass will certainly come in useful

Again, many thanks

Craig

Ok here we go, hope this makes sense!

Centre console is removed by inserted flat blade under rear edge and tilting up, there are 4 tongues that hold it in place at the top edge, dont forget to unscrew gear knob first, as you can see.....I did!

Once gear knob is removed, the shroud slides straight off, and the console can be lifted away, there is one plug, for the cigarette lighter which needs disconnecting

Sorry that one was a bit blurry

Ok next you need to get your adapter and remove the plug from the end, the one I bought was similar to this and you can get them from Halfords and other motorist centres

Work out which of the 2 wires is the positive (dismantle the plug and see which wire feeds the centre pin) and scotchlok this one to the pink and silver wire on the lead for the cigarette lighter that you disconnected earlier

The other wire then needs a ring crimp capable of fitting over a 7mm bolt fitting to the end, I removed the left hand bolt as shown here, to get a good earth connection.  I used an OBA black crimp, but the hole needed enlarging slightly, I think you can get other sizes from the likes of Halfords etc.

You can see the hole where the bolt was on the left, and just catch the RH bolt on the right.  Once I had unscrewed it with a deep socket I had to use pliars to get it out, be careful if you drop it, its a pig to recover from under all that gubbins!!! 

Here's another pic with a screwdriver pointing out bolt hole

Ok refit the bolt with the ring crimp under it.  Now its time to run the Tomtom power lead, basically I fed mine from the centre console, behind and under the steering column, (be careful to avoid fouling the Knee airbag) and poked it out by the door trim, fed it up and into the Tomtom sucker bracket

Finally, plug it into your new adaptor, there is PLENTY of room to store it in centre console area (see earlier pic) Clip on your tomtom and turn on ignition.  If you get green light on tomtom, then you are successful!

Now just carefully refit console cover, not forgetting to reconnect the cigarette lighter plug,  and re-attach gear knob.

Jobs a good 'un!

Hope that all makes sense, if not I'll be happy to explain further :D

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[Mkuk0]

No problem, glad I could help