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Auto Talk => The Garage => Topic started by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 02:21:08 PM

Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 02:21:08 PM
On my dad's 1998 Explorer, the top rear brake light (the one above the rear gate window) is constantly flashing...even when the car is off and all other lights are off.  It flashes at a very fast rate...at least 300 FPM and it looks sorta like a cop light.  It's about the intensity of your average running light..it's not as if it looks like the full-on brake light is flashing.

What the heck?!  :lol:
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: footoflead on September 25, 2005, 02:26:15 PM
QuoteOn my dad's 1998 Explorer, the top rear brake light (the one above the rear gate window) is constantly flashing...even when the car is off and all other lights are off.  It flashes at a very fast rate...at least 300 FPM and it looks sorta like a cop light.  It's about the intensity of your average running light..it's not as if it looks like the full-on brake light is flashing.

What the heck?!  :lol:
:blink:  :o  :blink:  
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: ifcar on September 25, 2005, 02:37:29 PM
I know one easy solution:
(http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/duct-tape-roll.jpg)

If you can't see it, nothing's wrong. :D
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 02:39:02 PM
QuoteI know one easy solution:
(http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/duct-tape-roll.jpg)

If you can't see it, nothing's wrong. :D
:D  Deffinitely not the response I expected from you.  :D  
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: ifcar on September 25, 2005, 02:40:15 PM
I'm used to dealing with old cars where the oddest things are prone to go wrong, and nothing is worth fixing right. :D
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: footoflead on September 25, 2005, 02:40:28 PM
QuoteI know one easy solution:
(http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/tom-keating/images/duct-tape-roll.jpg)

If you can't see it, nothing's wrong. :D
Duck Tape fixes EVERYTHING :rockon:  
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 02:49:29 PM
Ok seriously now...
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: footoflead on September 25, 2005, 02:50:56 PM
QuoteOk seriously now...
I still have no clue what the heck your talking about
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: ifcar on September 25, 2005, 02:51:42 PM
No idea.
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 02:58:04 PM
Quote
QuoteOk seriously now...
I still have no clue what the heck your talking about
(http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2637/explorer2ei.jpg)


Help a bit?  That light is always flashing at a rate of 300 FPM or more but not brightly as if the brakes are on, just a running-light intensity.

Get it now?
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: footoflead on September 25, 2005, 02:58:52 PM
Quote
Quote
QuoteOk seriously now...
I still have no clue what the heck your talking about
(http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2637/explorer2ei.jpg)


Help a bit?  That light is always flashing at a rate of 300 FPM or more but not brightly as if the brakes are on, just a running-light intensity.

Get it now?
Ok,

Could be a short in the wiring somewhere,  
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: footoflead on September 25, 2005, 03:00:03 PM
Or a bad connection somewhere in the line
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: Speed_Racer on September 25, 2005, 03:40:56 PM
Pull out the fuse. That'll stop the flashing. It's not legal, but you didn't ask for a legal solution.
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 05:09:14 PM
QuotePull out the fuse. That'll stop the flashing. It's not legal, but you didn't ask for a legal solution.
I don't think it would be illegal because there'd still be the two brake lights on the sides...and unless a cop really wanted to be a dick I doubt he'd pull me/him over for it.
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: Tom on September 25, 2005, 05:28:48 PM
Quote
QuotePull out the fuse. That'll stop the flashing. It's not legal, but you didn't ask for a legal solution.
I don't think it would be illegal because there'd still be the two brake lights on the sides...and unless a cop really wanted to be a dick I doubt he'd pull me/him over for it.
There has to be other electronics on the same fuse.  Although they could be useless things.  Pull out the manual and take a look.  
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: JWC on September 25, 2005, 06:01:03 PM
Even though I own a '98 Explorer, I can't remember whether or not it has a ballast for the third brake lamp.  If it does, it may be going out. Easy fix...if you've done it before. Parts are somewhere between 80-100 bucks.  

I was thinking that '97 was the last year for a ballast, but I may be wrong.


As for the legality of disconnecting it, depends on the state. My experiences with California law enforcement taught me that a brake lamp out (or in my case a driver's door not completely shut) is an excuse to pull you over and check your license and registration.

In NC, where I'm at now, you would fail a mandatory yearly safety inspection.
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 06:04:21 PM
Well we don't have saftey checks or emissions tests here in MI...so I guess he'll probably just drive it around until it dies or something.
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: footoflead on September 25, 2005, 06:19:20 PM
QuoteWell we don't have saftey checks or emissions tests here in MI...so I guess he'll probably just drive it around until it dies or something.
You sure, if so then your lucky, Tx is fairly strict about emissions down here (stupid cat. converters :rolleyes: )
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: Run Away on September 25, 2005, 06:23:27 PM
Alright!

Disco explorer! :rockon: B)
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: giant_mtb on September 25, 2005, 06:30:07 PM
Quote
QuoteWell we don't have saftey checks or emissions tests here in MI...so I guess he'll probably just drive it around until it dies or something.
You sure, if so then your lucky, Tx is fairly strict about emissions down here (stupid cat. converters :rolleyes: )
Yeah I'd probably know if we have emissions tests or not...we don't have them.  
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: Raza on September 26, 2005, 12:29:52 PM
It's obviously a portal to another dimension.
Title: Flashing Light...?
Post by: footoflead on September 26, 2005, 12:56:40 PM
QuoteIt's obviously a portal to another dimension.
:ph34r: