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97 Suburban taillight wiring
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 5:10 pm
by Pj
Looking at throwing in a Whelen taillight flasher in for demo purposes. I haven't looked yet, but where is the harness, and what wire goes to what? This is the tailgate/liftgate burb if it makes a difference.
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 8:48 am
by chipjumper
PJ, I put in a Federal Sig taillight flasher in my '97 Burban a couple months ago; took about an hour total (including about 15min of cleaning dust out of my eyes). Fairly simple install.
I believe all of the wiring to the rear is on the drivers side. I interecepted it there at the drivers rear corner and used the mulitmeter to find out what wires was what - had friend hit the brakes and found the common brake light wire, same with tailights. I have the two rear dutch doors. I drilled a 3/4in hole in the floor at the far left corner of the rear opening on the truck and velcro'ed it to the trim piece away from everything.
I have a diagram around in my basement; I'll advise you of the colors so it should save u some steps. I'll scan it and forward it to you.
Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 3:25 pm
by Pj
Excellent. I got my Whelen one last week, now I just need the colors..

Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 12:55 pm
by chipjumper
in the rear harness:
BLACK - GROUND
YELLOW - LEFT BRAKE (+)
DARK GREEN - RIGHT BRAKE (+)
LIGHT GREEN - REVERSE (+)
BROWN - PARKING (+)
Per my Sound Off, Inc. diagram, all you do is tap into the reverse (+), and route each brake (+) through the flasher. Should only take u half an hour. Wear eye protection!
Good luck!
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2004 6:47 pm
by FFParamedic571
Most GM's are the same... The impala is the same colors
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:21 am
by Pj
Cool, thanks. Here's another question.
The flasher that I have is an older Whelen design for the BLINK series. This flasher doesn't have the pass thru wiring, and just puts + right on those wires. Before I start splicing it in, what am I going to fry?
I'd rather go with the newer verison (which is no longer in production) that gets put in the middle of the wiring...but if I am not going to blow up the computer or anything, then I am not going to care.
Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:55 pm
by chipjumper
I just bought a couple solid state federal signal units on fleabay for $25 shipped...very easy to hook up...
He had a few taillight flashers; I bought the wags for some guys on my dept.