Blinking brake light
Safety Car
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From: Northern Virginia
There's a reason CorvetteMods has gotten such a bad reputation in online forums, and has so many complaints with the Texas BBB
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My local dealership installs Brake Plus on every new car they sell. http://www.brake-plus.com/ On Thursday of this past week, I won a free Brake Plus to be installed on any of my vehicles. Since I purchased my 2014 Stingray from a different dealership, I asked them to install it on my Stingray. The service manager told me that he would have to take the rear bumper cover off my Stingray in order to install it. HOWEVER, the Brake Plus rep was actually at the dealership at the time and told us that there was indeed a way to install it without removing the rear bumper cover. Ten minutes later, Brake Plus was installed on my Stingray! The installation involved removing the passenger side tail light bezel which then provides access to the third brake light cable just to the left of the passenger side tail lights. He pulled it out enough to attach the Brake Plus mechanism and put everything back together. I highly recommend this product because it reportedly reduces the chance of being rear ended by over 40%.
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
The CHMSL flasher will rapidly flash (4-5 times) the light upon first application of brake, but then stay on solid while the brake is still being applied.
There is an internal timer that prohibits repeat flashing again - upon the next application of brake - if it happens too soon after the last one. Lets say you are in 20 minute stop-n-go traffic situation; and you applied the brakes a total of 30 times in this slow-down; the rapid CHMSL flash would only have happened on brake application #1; the next 29 the CHMSL would come on solid.
I contacted the company that made them for Corvettes in the past; the ones that had mating inline connectors. They didn't have one for the C7 with the mating connectors; claimed that car mfgrs use the most bizzare and unique connectors; changing them with each model refresh. Said they simply couldn't find a source for the C7 CHMSL electrical connectors at the moment.
They did have one I could splice in, but I decided to wait. I am always checking out these threads in hopes someone finally is offering one with plug-n-play installation.
Safety Car
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From: Northern Virginia
HOWEVER, the Brake Plus rep was actually at the dealership at the time and told us that there was indeed a way to install it without removing the rear bumper cover. Ten minutes later, Brake Plus was installed on my Stingray! The installation involved removing the passenger side tail light bezel which then provides access to the third brake light cable just to the left of the passenger side tail lights. He pulled it out enough to attach the Brake Plus mechanism and put everything back together.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 54
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From: Falmouth Virginia
If you're talking about the 3rd brake light pulser, Corvettemods has one:
http://www.corvettemods.com/C6-C7-Co...y_p_11583.html
http://www.corvettemods.com/C6-C7-Co...y_p_11583.html
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I wish I would have watched him do this, but I was inside the showroom at the time. I saw him fish the wires out, and what he was installing had connectors on it, but I think he had to add connectors to the 3rd brake light wires and connect it that way. I'm almost certain there isn't a connector already in place back there.
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E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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From: NE South Carolina
I recall a post years ago when I had it on my C6. It said that was a misinterpretation of a law that says you can't have a blinking red light! Don't think a few flashes is considered a blinking red light. Can't be sure how it's interpreted in VA law.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: South Carolina
I still say..
[QUOTE=JerryU;1590670623]The better "blinkers" do not repeat blinking if you depress the brake the second time in a short time period! Also better I irritate some conscientious drivers if it provides a better chance of alerting the person behind who is looking at a text message they just received while pulling forward and not seeing the traffic was still not moving freely!
1---if they're even marginally effective, why would such a simple device not be standard equipment?---it's just an annoying gimmick
2---I've never noticed one on a Vette or any "nice" car, again usually on mom's tired mini-van or old Taurus or Toyota
3---what if everybody actually had one of these installed on their vehicle?---with so many constant blinking lights, this would likely have a hypnotizing effect on many drivers, literally lulling them to sleep!!(truer than you may believe)
1---if they're even marginally effective, why would such a simple device not be standard equipment?---it's just an annoying gimmick
2---I've never noticed one on a Vette or any "nice" car, again usually on mom's tired mini-van or old Taurus or Toyota
3---what if everybody actually had one of these installed on their vehicle?---with so many constant blinking lights, this would likely have a hypnotizing effect on many drivers, literally lulling them to sleep!!(truer than you may believe)
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From: Lawton, OK
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[QUOTE=witch hunt;1590682848]
1 - They are effective. A flashing light always garners more attention than a steady one. A third brake light was not standard equipment until 1986. Just because something isn't standard equipment doesn't mean it isn't useful or effective.
2 - If you're ever behind my Stingray when I hit my brakes, you'll see it.
3 - Mine (Brake Plus) doesn't flash continuously. That's not going to lull anyone to sleep.
1---if they're even marginally effective, why would such a simple device not be standard equipment?---it's just an annoying gimmick
2---I've never noticed one on a Vette or any "nice" car, again usually on mom's tired mini-van or old Taurus or Toyota
3---what if everybody actually had one of these installed on their vehicle?---with so many constant blinking lights, this would likely have a hypnotizing effect on many drivers, literally lulling them to sleep!!(truer than you may believe)
2---I've never noticed one on a Vette or any "nice" car, again usually on mom's tired mini-van or old Taurus or Toyota
3---what if everybody actually had one of these installed on their vehicle?---with so many constant blinking lights, this would likely have a hypnotizing effect on many drivers, literally lulling them to sleep!!(truer than you may believe)
2 - If you're ever behind my Stingray when I hit my brakes, you'll see it.
3 - Mine (Brake Plus) doesn't flash continuously. That's not going to lull anyone to sleep.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 54
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From: Falmouth Virginia
Had a local sheriff ticket for no third brake light on a vehicle that was never equipped with one and wasnt required by the state - point is most local jurisdictions do not know the requirements for state inspections.
Additionally - the manual specifically addresses the CHMSL - 19VAC30-70-190 "The high mount stop lamp must be steady burning and not wired to flash with turn signals or other wig-wag device."
Last edited by 2880; Oct 13, 2015 at 08:46 AM. Reason: clarification
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: NE South Carolina
[QUOTE=witch hunt;1590682848]
I'll stand by original quote above! With the use of cell phones and worse folks with a "conditioned response like Pavlov's Dog" who "must" look to see who sent them the latest "useless message," I like all the help I can get to keep them off my rear! If it irritates some-so beit!
As mentioned the better devices flash only a few times then are on full. In bumper to bumper traffic they also have a 5 or 10 second window where they do not repeat!
Distracted driving is IMO the riskiest issue I have driving. I'll work hard to keep my 55 year record of never having had an accident with another car!
The better "blinkers" do not repeat blinking if you depress the brake the second time in a short time period! Also better I irritate some conscientious drivers if it provides a better chance of alerting the person behind who is looking at a text message they just received while pulling forward and not seeing the traffic was still not moving freely!
1---if they're even marginally effective, why would such a simple device not be standard equipment?---it's just an annoying gimmick
2---I've never noticed one on a Vette or any "nice" car, again usually on mom's tired mini-van or old Taurus or Toyota
3---what if everybody actually had one of these installed on their vehicle?---with so many constant blinking lights, this would likely have a hypnotizing effect on many drivers, literally lulling them to sleep!!(truer than you may believe)
1---if they're even marginally effective, why would such a simple device not be standard equipment?---it's just an annoying gimmick
2---I've never noticed one on a Vette or any "nice" car, again usually on mom's tired mini-van or old Taurus or Toyota
3---what if everybody actually had one of these installed on their vehicle?---with so many constant blinking lights, this would likely have a hypnotizing effect on many drivers, literally lulling them to sleep!!(truer than you may believe)
As mentioned the better devices flash only a few times then are on full. In bumper to bumper traffic they also have a 5 or 10 second window where they do not repeat!
Distracted driving is IMO the riskiest issue I have driving. I'll work hard to keep my 55 year record of never having had an accident with another car!
Last edited by JerryU; Oct 13, 2015 at 08:25 AM.
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
if ???
when I bought my first C5 (had gone 10 years without a corvette); I heard screeching brakes behind me on occasion. A first I thought it was juvenile ricers trying to clown around by squealing their tires. But waaaaay too often the person behind me wasn't a young punk; instead someone that almost plowed into the back of my new Corvette !!!
The C5 was simply too low, and not being seen easily by drivers behind it. The only tire squealing I haerd after installation was from Mustang owners (who probably still lived in parents basement - trying to feel like a fully grown man by showing off).
could it be because those using them on "nice" cars only install the type that doesn't sit there and blink-blink-blink-blink-blink-blink-blink, and continue to blink-blink-blink-blink... ?
Many fellow Corvette enthusiasts in this thread have tried to be informative, going out of their way to type lengthy responses to accurately mention that the units we have purchased in the past do not operate in this manor. There is nothing "constant" about them. Are you speed-reading/skimming these responses?
when I bought my first C5 (had gone 10 years without a corvette); I heard screeching brakes behind me on occasion. A first I thought it was juvenile ricers trying to clown around by squealing their tires. But waaaaay too often the person behind me wasn't a young punk; instead someone that almost plowed into the back of my new Corvette !!!
The C5 was simply too low, and not being seen easily by drivers behind it. The only tire squealing I haerd after installation was from Mustang owners (who probably still lived in parents basement - trying to feel like a fully grown man by showing off).
I've never noticed one on a Vette or any "nice" car, again usually on mom's tired mini-van or old Taurus or Toyota
what if everybody actually had one of these installed on their vehicle?---with so many constant blinking lights...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Ft. Worth Tx.
Well, I built one for my wife's Miata, in '99. Before that I had build one for my '88 Goldwing. I also built one for my '06 F150. I bought an electronic one for my '08 Vette. I still have all but Goldwing. I don't care if they annoy people, that means they see me. In all that time I have not been hit in the rear, however I have been hit 4 times in the rear in company cars without the flashers, all on the freeway while I was sitting still. Once the guy said "I didn't know you stopped". YOU DON'T WANT TO BE HIT IN THE REAR AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON YOUR SMALL CAR OR MOTORCYCLE. I have built them for friends and people that have pulled me over to know where I got it.
I think the new ones are great. However like seat belts, air bags, helmets, they should be our choice to have them or not. NOT the government.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM DON'T GET ONE!
By the way if you are following someone with one in traffic because you don't know the way. 10 cars can get between you and them and you can still spot them.
I will be putting one on my C7.
I think the new ones are great. However like seat belts, air bags, helmets, they should be our choice to have them or not. NOT the government.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM DON'T GET ONE!
By the way if you are following someone with one in traffic because you don't know the way. 10 cars can get between you and them and you can still spot them.
I will be putting one on my C7.
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
However like seat belts, air bags, helmets, they should be our choice to have them or not. NOT the government.
* it's waaaay too late, should've been done long ago
or
* it's not a valid safety concern; there's politics involved.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Texas
My local dealership installs Brake Plus on every new car they sell. http://www.brake-plus.com/ I highly recommend this product because it reportedly reduces the chance of being rear ended by over 40%.
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From: Lawton, OK
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Safety Car
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From: Northern Virginia
19VAC30-70 virginia state inspection manual - "Vehicle is not equipped with a rear (tail lamp) or rear lamp combination of an approved type or light assembly does not work as designed by the manufacturer." Just because you have a state inspector that is not doing his job, does not make it legal.
Had a local sheriff ticket for no third brake light on a vehicle that was never equipped with one and wasnt required by the state - point is most local jurisdictions do not know the requirements for state inspections.
Additionally - the manual specifically addresses the CHMSL - 19VAC30-70-190 "The high mount stop lamp must be steady burning and not wired to flash with turn signals or other wig-wag device."
Had a local sheriff ticket for no third brake light on a vehicle that was never equipped with one and wasnt required by the state - point is most local jurisdictions do not know the requirements for state inspections.
Additionally - the manual specifically addresses the CHMSL - 19VAC30-70-190 "The high mount stop lamp must be steady burning and not wired to flash with turn signals or other wig-wag device."
FWIW, mine didn't flash with the turn signals and wasn't a wig-wag device. And I interpret the "does not work as designed" to mean it can't be burnt out or non-functional.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: Falmouth Virginia
Well, like I said. Almost 6 years with one on my Miata and never hassled at inspection or by the police, and had plenty of police, both county and state, witness it. I'll take the chance of getting a warning over the chance of getting rear-ended.
FWIW, mine didn't flash with the turn signals and wasn't a wig-wag device. And I interpret the "does not work as designed" to mean it can't be burnt out or non-functional.
FWIW, mine didn't flash with the turn signals and wasn't a wig-wag device. And I interpret the "does not work as designed" to mean it can't be burnt out or non-functional.
