I 've bought a 3rd brake light blinker but honestly, I'm afraid to install it. It blinks approx. 3 times then stays solid. Most web pages claim they're "Legal in all 50 states" but I'm not so sure about that. I was told by a Missouri state inspector that he would not pass the car with it installed and Texas law states only certain vehicles may have blinking red lights (Emergency vehicles, etc.). The reason I want to install this one is my restored 1965 VW was rear-ended and I was injured even though I had installed a 3rd brake light on it (non-blinking). Anybody had any experience with these 3rd brake light blinkers, good or bad? Tickets, etc?

Mike

http://edocket.access.gpo.g...qtr/49cfr571.108.htm

S5.5.4 The stop lamps on each vehicle shall be activated upon application of the service brakes. The high-mounted stop lamp on each vehicle shall be activated only upon application of the service brakes.


edit: there's nothing that says you can't have 20 brake lights and 30 turn signals. You could line the edge of the rear window with led strips, red on the top and bottom and amber on the sides for blinkers.

http://www.youtube.com/resu...=1&oq=goldwing+light

[This message has been edited by Gokart Mozart (edited 11-19-2008).]

Yes, but see here's the problem (from your 1st link):

S5.5.10 The wiring requirements for lighting equipment in use are:
(a) Turn signal lamps, hazard warning signal lamps, and school bus
warning lamps shall be wired to flash;
(b) Headlamps and side marker lamps may be wired to flash for
signaling purposes;
(c) A motorcycle headlamp may be wired to allow either its upper
beam or its lower beam, but not both, to modulate from a higher
intensity to a lower intensity in accordance with section S5.6;
(d) All other lamps shall be wired to be steady-burning.

(d) is the problem. I would really like to put this flasher on my car and do think it would be safer. I'm tempted to install it, the potential ticket would be less $$$ than getting hit, injured or losing my car. Really it's kind of stupid, I usually tap my brakes to flash the brake lights anyway. It would be nice if they flashed automatically.

Mike

police bikes around here have that blinking brake light. and it can be installed on many other cars and is also made for other bikes. its there to flash to grab the attention of the person behind you that is not paying attention to you stopping.

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First LX9 Fiero GT, 1987

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem

Fiero's are people too. We pay just as much attention to them, if not more than our loved ones

yes it is fine to have blinking brake lights.

quote Originally posted by revin: yes it is fine to have blinking brake lights.

not really, some might think its the hazards flashing

I've seen state & local D.O.T trucks that when the brakes are hit the lights flash for half a second before they're on steady.
It does get your attention.

The problem with flashing lights on the CORNER of the car is that if one is out (or obscured by another following vehicle in front of you say) it can look like a turn signal. Since a lot of drivers don't signal anyway it may appear that they are turning one way when they in fact intend to turn the other. Hello car wreck!

Now a blinking CENTER stop light is a different matter, there's no chance for confusion and I think that they do help to make the dimwit following you to pay attention.

As for legal, I have have no idea. I'm sure I've seen fairly new cars with them, or maybe I'm just getting confused.

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Dave

www.ltlfrari.com

I've noticed ambulances wired this way by me now. And the third brake light would not be wired to flashing per say, as after the third blink it stays steady. That would be my rational past point d.

i know pa police will jump all over you for it up here only thing that can flash is your signals its ment for emergency vehicals only.

There are a few automakers that use a flashing third brake lamp. They are used to get the attention of other drivers in a panic stop situation. They are designed so that they don't flash if you quickly press and release the brake pedal. This built in feature is there to prevent your vehicle from being mistaken for an emergency services vehicle.

I hope this helps.

As stated above, some auto manufacturers have added this feature to the third brake light alone. In particular, I have most commonly noticed this on Nissans.

They sell a kit for motorcycles.
They even sell LED light bulb that will spin the red led's around.

Check the laws in your state...in Texas...NO problem!

I had that modification for my motorcycle. It flashed a couple times then stayed steady. The modification can also be legally done on a car as long as the light goes steady after a couple blinks.

It really does help pay attention, if only for the "WTF?" factor of a blinking center light. They are still paying attention waiting to see if it does it again next time you hit your breaks.

Do it.

quote Originally posted by MarineFiero: I had that modification for my motorcycle. It flashed a couple times then stayed steady. The modification can also be legally done on a car as long as the light goes steady after a couple blinks. It really does help pay attention, if only for the "WTF?" factor of a blinking center light. They are still paying attention waiting to see if it does it again next time you hit your breaks. Do it.

Thanks for all the replies. You're right, I saw a truck with one installed and it really catches your attention. Drivers down here think STOP signs are optional (insurance too) and a Red light means Give it the Gas! (¡Dale gas!). Anybody that has info on a blinking 3rd brake light that is factory installed, please post what make/model car that is. I would like to print that info out and carry it in the car, just in case

Mike

I personally would fail a car for that. As far as the info on other cars having it, that will not help you case as it was not an option on your car. Just like i believe BMWs with the blue headlights on those they will pass inspection but if it did not come on the car from the factory it will fail and is illegal. That is in Missouri though, Texas my be different you need to call the local highway patrol as they can tell you what you can and can not have on a car (its who the inspectors call if they have any question) just make sure you get the name of the officer you talked to if they say its ok, that way if you have a problem you can talk to that officer about it.

i know there is a fiero site with schematics to electronic circuits. they have sequential, pulsing 3rd brake light along with a few others. and no im not thinking of webelectric. those are kits. these are designs for the DIYer

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First LX9 Fiero GT, 1987

If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem

Fiero's are people too. We pay just as much attention to them, if not more than our loved ones

Legal...

According to FMVSS571.108, which many states use directly for their laws, it's most likely not legal anywhere.

Will a cop give you a ticket for it? probably not as long as it only blinks a few times then goes solid. With some cars, you'll get that result if you don't press the pedal hard enough at times due to worn switch etc.

If you install this, I suggest a bypass switch of some kind. I don't know how yours hooks up so you'll have to work out the best way to do that yourself. This way you can disable it for inspections etc.

If you did get stopped and ticketed... Check local laws... It's an "Equipment Violation" in allot of places that isn't much of a fine and no Points are usually involved. If you show up at court with the car working properly, they often wave these but again check local laws.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

Blinking is NOT legal.....

MODULATING is 50 state legal based on a federal law.

Difference is, modulating the light does not totally go off.


Go figure.

I have a brake modulator on my Goldwing....I know it has saved me on several occasions.

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