Interior/Exterior Brake light kit question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 24, 2004 | 01:45 PM

Xman

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 241

Likes: 0

From: Beautiful Central Coast of California

Brake light kit question

I've read in a previous post (that I can't find again) that having a brake light kit is not good for the car. Apparently, it draws too much current since both rear fog light and normal brake light come on at the same time.

Something was mentioned about changing some of the bulbs to reduce the electric load.

Anybody recall that issue ? and what light bulbs needed to be changed ?

Dec 24, 2004 | 04:36 PM

TWISTER

6th Gear

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 2,973

Likes: 4

From: 27106

I've never had a problem. I didn't do the diode mod, I did the piggyback mod. Meaning I cut and tapped the wire over using couplers. No issues at all for over 7 months.

Dec 24, 2004 | 07:04 PM

aokdoug

3rd Gear

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 254

Likes: 0

From: cape coral fl

brake lite mod.

did mine &about 10 others. some with diode&some with paper clip.
did the 1-4 jump. no issues.
doug

Dec 28, 2004 | 01:18 AM

Xman

Thread Starter

3rd Gear

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 241

Likes: 0

From: Beautiful Central Coast of California

Allright, I finally found the thread. I too, have a brake light kit (with diode), but after reading the following I'm thinking about doing a few more changes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdewey

When you do the traditional "brake light modification" that makes the fog lights into additional brake lights, you are placing TWICE the normal load on the left and right brake light switching transistors in the body control module. If one of the jumpers comes loose, you may be placing Three times the load on one side.

LED 1156 bulbs draw only 10% as much power as the 21 watt 1156 that is in the fog light socket. This means the modification would put only 110% of normal load on the transistor. I got 1156 LED at a local autostore for $19 for the pair. I have also purchased them by mail on Ebay for $10 a pair including shipping. I also placed the jumper in a way that it can not come loose.

JD