My DIY Sequential turn signals for under $100 (Page 2/5)
theogre MAR 10, 03:16 AM

quote
Originally posted by liv4God:
I definitely understand that. I don't know all of the rules for sure, but I have never been stopped before for the lights and plenty of highway patrol and other police have driven behind me while using them.

I wrote several different versions of the code, some as simple as the standard blinking and others with different variations of sequential with or without other types of patterns. To upload a different code I just have to plug in the Arduino to my laptop and load it in, so it is a fairly easy process (5 minutes max).

I guess what I'm saying is, in the instance that get pulled over I will accept my error and take the ticket or warning or whatever and then upload a less flashing type of code to comply with whatever the officer wanted so that I can pass the CHP brake and light check. But since it hasn't been a problem in a year+ of use I haven't bothered to change it.

Perhaps I'm being too careless on the matter?

Cops could ignore or stop you every time and Millions of reasons why can go either way. What problem(s) you get away w/ locally... Can get you stopped in another county or state. Other areas can/will stop "foreign" driver for any valid reason then fish for big tickets or arrest you.

Foreign doesn't mean Out of State. Say you live in LA... You drive to N CA someplace... Northern Cops see oddball lights and cranked cover so runs the plate. Light issues can paint a big target on you and now knows you're far from home.
ltlfrari MAR 10, 08:48 AM
When it comes to inspections, around here, as long as the horn and lights work and the wipers and tires are good, your car could be on fire and it would pass inspection!
Until recently, you did not even have you have two working brake lights, one was good enough (a botched traffic stop caused them to change that) but even so I am not sure if the TWO requirements means two regular lights or one regular light and the third brake light. Basically it's all very vague and if a cop want to stop you, he will for any number of 'reasons'.

------------------
Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!

Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

2.5 MAR 10, 10:12 AM
I think with the mustangs on the road having similar setups, you wont have a cop give you issues. Like you said if they do say there is something worong you can comply.
On a fiero, more visible is better.

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 03-10-2016).]

FastOwen2XLL FEB 27, 06:51 PM
I stumbled across this nearly year old post while searching for something else. Thought I would put in my .02 for what it's worth.

Technically it's illegal to make ANY modifications to the DOT approved OEM lights on ANY street driven car. This includes LED 'replacement' bulbs or even brighter incandescent bulbs. Changing the function would also definitely be a no-no.

I went down this rabbit hole when I was considering mods to my OEM '85 GT tails. Looked into DOT regulations regarding tail and brake lights and unless you are a lighting engineer there is no way to know if any mods are 'legal'.

That being said, I would take to court and argue any ticket/fine if my modifications actually enhanced safety without creating any unintended hazzards.

As a side note, I have heard Ford had to 'work around' DOT regs to be able to keep the sequential tails on Mustangs.
theogre FEB 27, 11:22 PM
Unless cops/inspections have equipment for FMVSS 108 testing... Very unlikely...

Switching 2057, 1157, and 2357 won't cause problems on many cars. 2357 is not too brighter vs 2057 for anyone to care. (Note 3xxx numbers are same bulb w/ 2 or 3 pin "wedge" base.)
If used 2057 but OE is 2357 then some cars are noticeable dimmer and cause other drivers to have problems seeing your brake/turn light during the day.
If used 1157 or 2357 but OE is 2057 like Fiero very likely no one will notice or bother because 2357 specs are only +1 and +8 MCS brighter and 1157 +1 MCS only for taillight side.
You will see 2357 turn on for brake/turn faster vs 1157 and 2057 and may cause flasher can problems because draws more amps. (Thermo flashers are sensitive to amp used by bulbs.)

Caution: 2357 w/ Amber turn signal like Fiero GT can blind other drivers at night, worse then 2057/1157. Red lenses doesn't blind most people. (Color light affecting night vision is a known issue covered many times here and elsewhere. Use Google.)

Aftermarket LED as PnP replacements for all External light w/ normal bulbs are often way too bright or dim and/or cause weird colors and all could get you stopped.
Even Halogen bulbs are too bright for most external use even ignoring can melt the fixtures. (Aftermarket Halogen Backup lights are only on to back up and often doesn't have time to heat up to melt the fixture.)

Mustang's and other OEM turn signals turn on Sequential only, off at same time. I believe many to all Brake lights are all on or off.
Add "simple" Sequential turn signals like WE site and others won't cause problem most times because turn on Sequential only, off at same time.
When you do odd often anoiding lights like above video you will standout but often not in a good way. You might even have people calling 911 for act as fake cop etc.
liv4God FEB 27, 11:41 PM
To date law enforcement has never said anything about the lights. I'm not saying they won't or couldn't, but haven't yet. I've been stopped for other things, like headlight out or driving too fast (oops) and even then with the lights in action right in front of them as I was pulled over never even been mentioned. At any rate, since so many people were concerned about it, I recently built in a switch that if I toggle it, will immediately switch the lights to the standard blinking pattern.
theogre FEB 28, 01:04 AM

quote
Originally posted by liv4God:
To date law enforcement has never said anything about the lights. I'm not saying they won't or couldn't, but haven't yet. I've been stopped for other things, like headlight out or driving too fast (oops) and even then with the lights in action right in front of them as I was pulled over never even been mentioned. At any rate, since so many people were concerned about it, I recently built in a switch that if I toggle it, will immediately switch the lights to the standard blinking pattern.

May not Say anything but never think they didn't notice you. Example: White LED over 4500°K color temp can look pink to purple under Red Lenses and many cops notice them even when they don't say so.

When cops have 2 or more speeders and lights do odd things, weird colors, and so on for one of them then that one is more likely going to get stopped.

Why? Speeding Tickets have bigger to huge fines with Points while problems w/ lights are often a "equipment violation" w/ low fines and no points in most places. While you may have money to burn paying fines, Points stay on you license of years and that can be huge problems to many like Insurance can be cancel or huge price increases. If you fix the equipment problem then go to count, many judges will simple void the ticket and most cops know that. Even when police agencies say no quota here, state/city records every ticket and can effect promotions etc when a cop's history get reviewed.

How go you know that? I work with and for cops doing several jobs and this is what many tell me. I'm not just making this up.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 02-28-2017).]

Synthesis FEB 28, 04:41 PM
I drove for years with a full LED array in my notchie tail lights and never once got flagged for it. The coloring and pattern were within DOT legal requirements for stop/turn/park lights though the actual light source was not.

The point has been made... "Beware, you can get in trouble for this."... Otherwise, it looks great, drive on until such time as you get nailed for it.
JohnWPB FEB 28, 11:48 PM
Wow, very nice job, I see its an old tread, but I just saw it after it resurfaced. I have been wanting to do something like this with my Fast Back tail lights sometime down the road.

The "DOT Police" will jump into just about every thread that remotely has to do with changing headlights, mirrors, tail lights Brake upgrades ect ect.... They will make the point, and then beat it into the ground over and over, and over and over again, mostly repeating the same thing over and over in the same thread, such as this one.

When I make a post / thread like this one, I now actually put a disclaimer in the post saying there is no need for the DOT police here, as I am fully aware of the changes and the ramifications that potentially apply.

[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 03-01-2017).]

Kevin87FieroGT MAR 01, 09:14 AM
Well put John.

Great post though. I enjoy reading post on the creativity of some of the PFF members.