Blue_SS

After installing my new '01 OEM SS spoiler today I noticed a weird problem. When I push the brake very lightly only the third brake light come on, the other brake lights come on about a second later. If I use the brake in a “regular” way all brake lights come on. What is causing the third brake light to act this way ?

Thanks for you help

Alex

shoebox

There is one set of contacts in the brake switch for the the 3rd light and another set for the regular lights. Though they operate in tandem, there might be a slight mechanical separation on when they each "make". That, coupled with the fact that the LEDs will illuminate at a faster rate than the regular filament bulbs makes the LEDs glow quicker than the other lights.

Blue_SS

Thanks for your help, so basicly your saying that its normal and there is nothing I can do about it ?

Blue_SS

Could it be related to do the ABS INOP synthom I've read about when installting an SS Spoiler on a ODB1 car ?
I've read that this can be solved by putting a 10 Ohm resistor in series. How exactly would I do that ? Do I just cut the wire and "extend" each end with the resistor ? In that case I would need 2 resistor each 10 Ohm . Would that work ? I'm really a novice at this...sorry

shoebox

IMO, I don't think it is related, especially if you are not having any ABS or cruise problems. There is a diagram of how to add resistance to the circuit in the "how to" or "schematics" sections of my Tech Page.

You might try changing the brake switch to see if that has any effect, but I have seen other (non f-body) cars with the same thing-an LED third brake light that appears to come on a fraction of a second before the normal brake lamps. You could also pull the connectors off the switch and rig it up to manually and simultaneously power up all the lamps for testing (bypassing the switch), to see if it made any noticeable difference.

Blue_SS

Thanks a lot for your help Rob ... outstanding information on your site