KStier Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 The pun is fully intended. I have a third brake light that I will be adding to the Birkin in anticipation of an upcoming NJ State Inspection. It is a four wire light. Having never done this on a car before (I've installed electrical in the house) can anybody tell me what I will need to get the light to work as intended. All I need is for it to come on when I am on the brakes... There is only about a foot of wiring so I will need to splice into one of the brake lights and extend up to the mounting point on the roll bar cross member. Which wires do I need to extend? Is it all four or just the hot and ground for the brakes? Any explanation would be most appreciated. Thanks. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 You will need to provide more info on the type of brake light you bought. I should have come with some kind of manual? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KStier Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I will try and get some more inofrmation when I am home this evening. It is a Slimline light bar, 11 lights, four wires, advertised as a third brake light or trailer ID bar. It may also be a turn signal? which I believe is why it requires the 4 wires. There was no manual or even instructions, just my receipt and the light in a plastic bag in the box. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West7se Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) No idea why it has 4 wires, unless it has 2 separate circuits. As mentioned above, you will need to identify the `ground` wires and the `live`wires on your unit. Obviously the ground goes to the nearest chassis or ground connection then the live cables connect to the live supply from one of your brake circuits. I have just fitted one myself, though I dont like seeing cables on view if mounting on the roll over bar ( and I dont want to drill holes in it to hide them either) I fitted it on the rear deck. "]http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4682/pic0008m.jpg just read your latest post, yes it does make sence that it has indicators on it as well that would explain the 4 wires 1 - ground 2- brake 3- left ind 4- right ind Edited June 3, 2009 by West7se Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I think it could be : Ground (white wire) Tail (running light) R ind / Brake L ind / Brake I wired the R & L together and hooked it to the brake wire. Due to the bias on my brakes I need to add a brake light switch to the F brakes so my brake light is on ALL the time the brake is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 (edited) "Due to the bias on my brakes I need to add a brake light switch to the F brakes so my brake light is on ALL the time the brake is. " - Kyle/Gary: Sorry for the hijack, but you might consider switching to a mechanical switch mounted at the pedal box. I got the idea from (I think) Bernie L. to fab up a bracket that mounts to the pedal box . The project consisted of the angle bracket, two holes drilled and tapped in the pedal housing, and a simple GM mechanical brake switch that is adjustable for reach. And you obviously have to change the wiring, but that was easy for me because I was working on the harness at the time anyway. When I get home tonight I can post a pic of the installation. Edited June 5, 2009 by 11Budlite Added picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West7se Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I think it could be : Ground (white wire) Tail (running light) R ind / Brake L ind / Brake I wired the R & L together and hooked it to the brake wire. Due to the bias on my brakes I need to add a brake light switch to the F brakes so my brake light is on ALL the time the brake is. Over here using a brake light as a daytime running light is not allowed, I know it may be different in other countries however. Also agree with using a mech switch from the brake pedal, though is it not as easy just to tap off one of the rear brake cicuits at the tail of the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KStier Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 Got everything figured out, splced from the driver side brake wire and ran it up through a small hole in the 'trunk' right next to the upright for the roll bar. Have to get some conduit to cover it up but I hooked white (light) to yellow (car) and brown (light) to gray (car) and got the middle and both end lights to work with the brake. Added in the green and yellow lights from the light and now they all come on when the pedal is depressed. Some basic stuff left to mount it and it'll be all set. Thanks for the input. Kyle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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