Wiring Guru - Jim? Color of wire for 2003 Tahoe Brake Light

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:57 pm

Want to install a brake light cutoff - whats the color of wire and approx. location for it? I didnt find an easily accesible brake switch under the dash. Thanks

USPSS · Post by **USPSS** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:13 pm

Be careful on that, that can be used against you if the law ever had reason to investigate you, it could be construed as a device to facilitate evasion. That could then become a felony, I know it's not directly stated in the CVS or Penal Code but it does say you must have brake lights. If you ever got in an accident it could also be used against you if it was found as part of a vehicle inspection.
That is one that a private citizen's POV does not need.

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:16 pm

Thanks for your input Stan.

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:37 pm

Com'on Stan! What private persons POV would be complete WITHOUT a brake light cutoff?!? This is so he can fool with the tailgaters on the freeway I'm assuming... or all those times when he gets together with his ex-explorers and goes cruising...

Post by Pj » Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:08 pm

We had a girl in our area that wired her car to do that so she could get stopped. Damn cute, but damn psycho.

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:17 pm

She wanted to be stopped? Interesting....

FresnelZone · Post by **FresnelZone** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:58 pm

Believe it or not, Matt does actually work on other vehicles other than his POV... Vehicles for agencies and entities in which actually have a *need* for such equipment. Whether Matt has a rather long release of liability when the agency contract him to work or not is up to him...

Our company does installation for covert vehicles; however, before any vehicle is even touched, the customer is required to sign a release of liability that clears us from any implications as a result of operation, lack of operation or malfucntion of equipment installed...

We do warrantee our work, however, if a cut out circuit fails as a result of our workmanship, we are responsible to, at our discretion, replace the unit. We are not, however, responsible for a person getting rear ended because of the equipment installed. The LofL relieves us of that responsibility.

Most important line on the entire 3 page document:
Even though we work our hardest to provide the best possible equipment and installations, USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Tech225 · Post by **Tech225** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:07 pm

You can go in here and find most of the wiring diagrams you might need.

http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:19 pm

Most likely a cop groupie looking for dates........

hot for a guy in uniform

takes all kinds I guess

jim · Post by **jim** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:36 pm

At the brake pedal, look for the WHITE wire. You can usually find this wire at the steering column connector, too.

I split the brake wire and connect to pins 30 and 87A on a relay.

Use a lighted switch to power the relay to ensure you have a visible indicator that the brakes are disabled. You may also tie into the park brake switch and make the instrument cluster's BRAKE light (park brake) come on to warn that you're in 'light kill' mode.

Another thing to do is make it disable the AM/FM radio when in 'light kill' mode- that way, you know for sure!

Gerbil · Post by **Gerbil** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 10:13 pm

Pj wrote: Damn cute, but damn psycho.

apco25 wrote:Most likely a cop groupie looking for dates........

yeah, why are the medic groupies never hot?

Post by **Code3Response** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:54 pm

Jim, thanks for the reply. This is NOT for my vehicle, its for an officer that asked me about it as he was wondering what it woudl involve on his patrol vehicle. I told him to take it to the county garage, but he (as am I) are scared of the work there. I already suggested putting in some sort of light in the instrument panel that activates when the brakes are applied, but the AM/FM radio idea is excellent! Thanks

And Robert - werent you the one who told me you used your brake light cut off in the explorer to mess with tailgaters on the freeway?

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:44 am

It's great with tailgaters! You could also add another switch to activate the brake lights w/o hitting the brakes to really eff with them.

grinthock · Post by **grinthock** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:12 am

I've installed high mount brake lights, LED wings and things like that, the easiest way I could see for you to do it is just go under where the break pedal is, and you will see the switch (GM car's it's usually a little white thing with a plunger)

Just cut that, and put a switch in as an intterupt. Problem solved. No real need for huge diagrams on this one.

(Ususal Automotive Disclaimer, if you lose your beak because you fire your airbag off, dont blame me)

Post by **Code3Response** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:21 pm

LOL - Thanks Grinthock. I was looking for the plunger when I was it his vehicle and didnt see one. I havent had a chance to look at mine (same year) since its been raining - Im going over to my shop now to check it out. Thanks.

KG6EAQ · Post by **KG6EAQ** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 4:49 pm

Naw Matt I didn't use the cutoff for the tailgaters, I used what jim said and turned them on whille a I had a tailgater.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 5:35 pm

"I've installed high mount brake lights, LED wings and things like that, the easiest way I could see for you to do it is just go under where the break pedal is, and you will see the switch (GM car's it's usually a little white thing with a plunger)

Just cut that, and put a switch in as an intterupt. Problem solved. No real need for huge diagrams on this one. "

Plunger?? Um....where have you been for 15 years?
GM hasn't used a plunger switch since the early 80s/late 90s.

There IS more to it than cutting and inserting a switch. For liability, one must do it right. I can install a lightbar and switch in 15 minutes, but it isn't going to be right. It is imperative that one installs this correctly and not "just throw a switch in it." The driver must be warned audibly or visibly (or both) so they know the lights are off. With "only a switch", I guarantee that the driver will go without brakelights the first week because they didn't know it was off.

grinthock · Post by **grinthock** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 6:35 am

Jim;

Well, I couldn't agree more that a warning would be a good idea!

007 · Post by **007** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 9:56 pm

Tech225 wrote:You can go in here and find most of the wiring diagrams you might need.

http://www.bulldogsecurity.com/

Good link...thanks!