DIY: 6th Gen 3rd Brake Light Flasher

[The Grey Goose]

Here's a quick DIY for a 3rd brake light flasher. I got this because drivers around this area are crazy, and I'll do all I can to get the upper edge and help avoid an accident. Here's the link where I got it from. At the time of purchase, it was $5 with $2.25 shipping.

 

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/strobe-controllers/brake-light-strobe-module/195/

 

It's only 3 wires, so installing it is very easy.

 

Tools Needed:

 

Trim removal tool

Wire cutters

Wire tap

Some method of joining two wires together i.e. soldering iron, crimps, twist on wire connector, etc.

 

 

 

So to start, lower your back seats. Open the trunk, and there are two handles to do this.

 

Then you'll see this. Remove the two gray trim pieces by pulling straight out. Start with the left piece, pulling from the center.

 

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww76/ticonderoga16/IMG_0808_zpsef7kta5l.jpg

 

Then you'll see this. You can see exactly where the four clips are that hold the two trim pieces in.

 

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww76/ticonderoga16/IMG_0810_edited-1_zpsgkaupujx.jpg

 

The white clips that hold these trim pieces in are pretty annoying. If they pop out with the trim piece, then that's great. If they stay in the car, you'll have to use your trim removal tool to pop them out and put them back onto the trim piece. Be careful doing this. Slide the tool under the very bottom of the clip, otherwise the damn thing will just bend and break. This picture shows where to slide the white clip back into.

 

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww76/ticonderoga16/IMG_0815_edited-1_zpsmtklrif2.jpg

 

Once you have both trim pieces off, look up in the front drivers side corner and you'll see a small white plug with two wires going to it.

 

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww76/ticonderoga16/IMG_0825_edited-1_zpsbcka9rro.jpg

 

The red wire is the positive, and the white with black stripe is the negative. Now for the fun part! Here's what the module looks like.

 

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww76/ticonderoga16/LSC-100-led-strobe-accessory-store_zpszyac0cga.jpg

 

You can see that the black wire gets grounded where ever. I just chose to use a wire tap and tap into the white/black wire.

 

For the two red wires, you can see that one is for a 12v input (R+ In), and one gets sent to the 3rd brake light (R+ to LED). To wire it in, just cut the red wire, and wire the module in-line.

 

http://i707.photobucket.com/albums/ww76/ticonderoga16/Wiring%20Diagram_zpsxgbi8qje.png

 

That's a very basic diagram, but you get the idea. You need to make sure you wire it in in the correct direction. If not, you may fry the module, or you may just have to reverse the wires.

 

I just used a couple twist style wire connectors because that's all I had on hand. Then give it a test! If no one is around to help you, take a video with your phone to use as your second set of eyes.

 

Let me know if there are any questions! Here's a video of the final outcome.

 

[RumbleRumble]

sweet write up. I might try something similar on my third gen!

[DonnyJagaru]

I'd like to see a study where this flashing brake like approach is proven to reduce rear end type collisions.

[The Grey Goose]

I would too, but having no study isn't going to keep me from running one. I say this because there are numerous occasions where I've seen someone else's brake light flash, and it's grabbed my attention. So for $7, I see no reason not to do it.

[DonnyJagaru]

I found some data on Mercedes Benz doing a trial with this arrangement in the US&A. However their flashing light would only do so when the brake pedal was hit hard. That is to say in a more abrupt, or panic, stop than what is normal driving. I think I've seen this on some other cars in Europe too and wondered Anyway, I believe having them flash during ANY braking exercise would fall into the annoyance category and be self-defeating.

[The Grey Goose]

They actually make some that have a g sensor built in and that affects how they flash. I think that particular one will flash every time, but if you start pressing the pedal harder mid stop, it'll flash again or in a different pattern. I agree it can be annoying, but in order for it to be annoying, that means they're looking at it which is the whole point

[DonnyJagaru]

I'd worry it would have an opposite effect. There have been a few cases recently where police and other public safety vehicles have been pulled over on highways and get rear-ended by motorists who are hypnotized by all the flashing lights - particularly at night.

[The Grey Goose]

EDIT: Claimed.

 

I decided to remove my brake light flasher today. I also have the tail-as-turn module, and as you can see in the video, if I'm braking and turning at the same time, you get this weird out of sync back and forth between the turn signal and the brake light. I always conscious of this, and tried to change my driving accordingly, which is not what I wanted. If anyone wants this for free, PM me your address and I'll mail it to you. I'll even cover shipping!