Dongar Classic Dash Cam Adapter Support & User Manual Guide
Dongar Classic not playing ball? Lost the instructions? No stress.
The Dongar Classic dash cam adapter powers your dash cam straight from the plug behind your rear-view mirror, so there's no fuse box, no cutting and no dangling cigarette-lighter lead. This is our support hub for it: how it works, how to find the right harness for your car, the install steps, fixes for the common hiccups, and a download link for every Classic harness manual at the bottom of the page.
🇦🇺 Important: Australian Fitment Is Different to the US
Dongar is an American company, and its fit finder, vehicle charts and the vehicle names in these manuals are based on US-market cars. The same model sold in Australia can use a different mirror, a different trim level or a different factory, and that can mean a different connector. Dongar itself notes that compatibility can vary by country, region, trim and year.
Don't pick a harness from a US chart alone. As Dongar's official Australian dealer, we match harnesses to Australian-delivered vehicles. If you're not 100% sure, send us your make, model, year and trim, plus a photo of the back of your mirror and the plug behind the mirror cover, and we'll confirm it before you buy or install.
How the Dongar Classic Works
- Where it gets power: most harnesses tap the powered connector behind your auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Depending on the vehicle, others connect at a rain or light sensor, the dome light area, Toyota's roof dash cam port, or a Toyota/Lexus lane-trace camera module.
- Pass-through design: in most cars the harness sits between your car's plug and the mirror, so your mirror keeps working (auto-dimming, HomeLink and rain sensor functions are passed straight through). The Toyota roof-port harness (5A) plugs into a spare port instead.
- Ignition powered: the Classic powers your dash cam while the car is on. It does not support parking mode. If you want recording while parked, see the parking mode question below.
- USB module: the harness plugs into a small USB module (via a 2-pin plug), and your dash cam plugs into the module with the short USB cable supplied.
- Output (current USB-C module): 5V 3A, 9V 2A or 12V 1.5A (18W max), negotiated automatically with your device.
- Older USB-A module: a few harness kits (for example 10D) use Dongar's older USB-A module, rated 5V 2.4A.
- Status light: on the USB-C module, green means it's supplying 9 to 12V and red means it's supplying 5V. Either colour means the module has power.
- Controls: there's no button or switch on the Classic. Plug it in and it just works.
- Mounting: your choice. Hide the module inside the mirror cover if there's room, or stick it to the glass with its adhesive pad for easy access to the cable and status light.
What's in the Box
Contents vary by harness kit, but a typical Classic includes:
- Dongar Classic USB module with an adhesive pad
- Short USB cable (some kits include two, so you can pick the one that suits your camera)
- One to three vehicle-specific wiring harnesses
- A plastic pry tool in some kits (not always included)
Your dash cam uses Micro-USB, Mini-USB, or a barrel plug? You'll need a converter cable. We stock the Micro-USB & Mini-USB converter bundle, and the USB-C to DC barrel cable. Tight space behind the mirror? The right-angle USB-C adapter helps.
Before You Start: Finding the Right Harness
- Check your mirror. The Classic needs a powered mirror or sensor, usually an auto-dimming mirror. A manual flip-tab mirror with no wiring normally has no power to tap. Digital (camera display) rear-view mirrors aren't compatible with most harnesses.
- Look at the plug. Gently remove the mirror cover and look at the connector. The number of pins and the shape of the plug decide the harness. Dongar says this is the fastest and most reliable way to confirm fitment, because trim level, options and even the build factory can change the connector.
- Take a photo and ask us. Photograph the back of the mirror, the mirror base and the plug, then send them to us with your make, model, year and trim. We'll confirm the right harness for your Australian vehicle.
General Installation Steps
These are the common steps for the mirror-connector harnesses. Some harnesses connect elsewhere (dome light, roof port or lane-trace module) or need extra steps and tools, so always follow the manual for your harness code below.
- Turn the car off. Tilt the rear-view mirror down for easier access.
- Remove the mirror cover (shroud). Ease it apart along the seam with your fingers. If it's tight, start it with a plastic pry tool. Don't force it: clips break easily, and some covers come apart in two pieces or slide rather than pull.
- Unplug the vehicle connector. Press the release tab and pull the connector straight out. Never pull on the wires.
- Fit the harness. Plug the harness into the vehicle socket, then plug the original connector into the other end of the harness. Connect the harness's 2-pin plug to the USB module.
- Connect your dash cam to the USB module with the short cable.
- Test before you close it up. Turn the car on, check the module's light is on and your dash cam powers up. Check your mirror still works normally.
- Position the module and refit the cover. Tuck the wiring neatly inside the cover. If there's room, you can hide the USB module inside the cover too. Otherwise, stick it to a clean spot on the glass near the camera for easy access. Either way, make sure nothing blocks the camera's view or your view of the road, and that the cover clips back on without pinching any cables.
💡 Toyota & Lexus Owners: Read This First
Many Toyotas and Lexus models have a 12-pin Toyota Safety Sense connector behind the mirror cover that looks a lot like the mirror plug. Dongar warns not to unplug it when fitting a mirror harness (such as 10B). Only the dedicated lane-trace harnesses (12T and 16T) connect at the lane-trace module, and their manuals include a safety section: after installing, turn the car on and confirm there are no warning messages on the instrument cluster. If a warning ever appears, remove the adapter and contact us or your dealer before continuing to drive.
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
My dash cam won't power on.
Check the module's status light with the car switched on. No light usually means the harness isn't fully seated (you should feel a click at each connector), the harness doesn't match your vehicle, or that circuit has no power in your car. If the light is on but the camera is dead, try a different USB cable, check you're using the right converter for your camera, and test the camera on its original power lead to rule out the camera itself.
My camera switches off at traffic lights.
That's usually your car's engine start-stop system cutting power to the mirror circuit. It's normal behaviour, not a fault. Some drivers turn start-stop off when they start the car; otherwise a fuse-box hardwire kit is the fix.
Can the Classic run parking mode?
No. The Classic is designed to power your camera while the car is on. For parked recording, look at the Dongar Pro (timed and continuous modes with low-voltage protection), a hardwire kit, or a dedicated dash cam battery pack.
My camera stays on after I turn the car off.
In most cars the mirror circuit switches off with the ignition, sometimes after a short delay. A few vehicles and sensor-port harnesses (for example the LRS kit in some Porsche, BMW and Toyota Supra models) can supply constant power instead. If your camera stays on for more than a few minutes after locking the car, contact us so we can check your setup and avoid a flat battery.
Will it affect my mirror, sensors or driver assist systems?
The pass-through harnesses leave your mirror's signals untouched, so auto-dimming and similar features keep working. If you notice anything unusual after installing (a warning light, a mirror feature not working, or a sensor error), remove the adapter, refit the original connector and contact us.
Which dash cams work with it?
Most USB-powered dash cams work. Cameras with USB-C connect directly. Micro-USB and Mini-USB cameras need a converter cable. BlackVue cameras work with the USB-C to DC cable. Dongar advises not to use its USB-C to DC cable with Thinkware cameras, because their power port is wired differently. Some older Garmin cameras need Garmin's own USB cable. If you're unsure, ask us before you install.
The mirror cover won't clip back on.
Check no wires are pinched in the seam and that the harness is sitting flat inside the cover. If you've tucked the USB module inside and it's a tight squeeze, stick the module to the glass instead. Don't force the cover closed on a cable or the module.
The harness in my kit doesn't match my plug.
Stop and don't modify the connector. Take a photo of the plug and contact us. As mentioned above, Australian vehicles can use different connectors to the US versions shown in Dongar's charts, and we'll sort out the right harness for you.
Is this covered by warranty?
Yes, when bought from us as Dongar's authorised Australian dealer, your adapter is supported locally. If something isn't working, contact us rather than Dongar in the US, and we'll look after you.
Still stuck?
Whatever the question, at any stage, get in touch with our team. A quick photo of your mirror and plug usually lets us sort it out fast.
Official Dongar Classic Harness Manuals
Find the harness code printed on your harness or kit packaging, then download the matching instruction manual. The vehicle examples in these manuals are US-market models, so use them as a guide only and check with us if your Australian vehicle differs.
| Harness Code | Connects At | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 3B | 3-pin rear-view mirror connector | Download PDF |
| 3B5F | 3-pin or 5-pin rear-view mirror connector (two harnesses, use one) | Download PDF |
| LRS | 3-pin light/rain sensor connector (keyway 1 or 2) | Download PDF |
| 5A | 5-pin Toyota roof dash cam port (via dome light) | Download PDF |
| 5E | 5-pin connector in the overhead console area (8mm socket and pry tool needed) | Download PDF |
| 5F | 5-pin rear-view mirror connector | Download PDF |
| 10A | 10-pin connector on the back of the mirror | Download PDF |
| 10B | 10-pin rear-view mirror connector (do not unplug the 12-pin Safety Sense connector) | Download PDF |
| 10D | 10-pin connector on the back of the mirror (USB-A module, 5V) | Download PDF |
| 10E | 10-pin rear-view mirror connector | Download PDF |
| 10H | 10-pin rear-view mirror connector | Download PDF |
| 12A | 12-pin connector on the back of the mirror | Download PDF |
| 12B | 12-pin rear-view mirror connector | Download PDF |
| 12T | 12-pin Toyota/Lexus lane-trace module connector (read the safety section) | Download PDF |
| 16A | 16-pin connector on the back of the mirror | Download PDF |
| 16T | 16-pin Toyota/Lexus lane-trace module connector (read the safety section) | Download PDF |
Can't see your harness code, or your kit came with a different harness? Contact us and we'll send you the right instructions.
Last reviewed: 17 September 2026. The product details, installation steps and harness manuals on this page come from Dongar's own instruction manuals and website, which are written for the US market. Vehicle fitment in Australia can differ, so always confirm your connector before installing. We do not install adapters ourselves; the steps here are guidance for whoever does the work. If something on this page is wrong or out of date, tell us and we will correct it.