Flashing Third Brake Light Installed

Posted on by Ian C.

As mentioned recently, I read about an Automatic Brakes Initiated Annunciator kit and ordered it. It came quickly and included good install instructions. The module is installed behind the third brake light and wired so that when you press the brake pedal, the light flashes a few times. The module is designed so that the light does not flash every time you brake, but only after some time with the brakes not pressed.

So I removed the third brake light (easy – three torx screws at the top of the boot lid) and wired the module (quite easy, but there is not much space to fit the module behind the third brake light):


I tested the module and wiring before refitting, then had a friend press, release and press the brake pedal while I video’ed: for the not terribly exciting (and silent) video result:

 

I am not sure if this is really a good mod – I have not been behind my MINI while driving it to know if the flashing has much effect, or if it is annoying. I can hear the clicking of the module when I brake, if the stereo is not too loud (not annoying, but noticeable). But at $15, I cannot argue with the price – if I made my own module it would be a similar cost!

UPDATE (September 29, 2004): This mod is no longer in GBMINI – the click-click-click every time I braked was driving me crazy; the claims about it not re-flashing if you brake again in a short time is also not true for me.

Warranties and aftermarket parts

Posted on by Ian C.

There was an interesting post on Roadfly recently, which is worth reading for anyone considering aftermarket parts on their MINI:
The MINI warranty on a component is void due to a modification where the modification, alteration or installation of a non-approved aftermarket part was responsible for the failure … In the case of electrical accessories, such as alarms, radios, amplifiers, radar detectors and telephones, extensive damage to the vehicle’s wiring harness may occur when these accessories are installed …
The MINI Division of BMW NA has been supplied with the Vehicle Identification Numbers of some vehicles that have reportedly been modified. These VINs have been entered into our computer system and will provide you with the message to call the Warranty Department or a detailed text of the modifications performed …
The poster kept his identity secret, and my local dealership does not recognize the memo, but does recognize the sentiment, and tells of frustrating diagnosis sessions eventually traced to badly installed or faulty aftermarket parts.
This issue is relevant to all cars, not just MINIs, and is worth remembering when choosing to add aftermarket parts to your car – at a minimum, be very confident in both the product and the installer!
Continue reading Warranties and aftermarket parts

Finally – GBMINIs diode brake light mod!

Posted on by Ian C.

After (again) watching other MINIs in front of me with two sets of brake lights (the factory ones and the rear fog lights used as brake lights) at this past weekends mini MOT, I decided it really was time to do the mod on my car.
I need the “diode mod” because my rear fogs can be used as rear fogs. I did not want to do the “quick and dirty” push-wires-in-holes mod, but a proper solder mod. I started by reading Greatbears post on NAM which details the mod – but I could not easily get my tail light fixture out of the car (big hands? HK amp and Kenwood Keg in the way?)

However, it was easy to get the connector out, then I found this write-up on OctaneGuys site which details pushing the diode into the connector.
I decided to do a combination, soldering the diode into the connector … I removed the connector from the tail light, then removed the plastic clip and released connector pins 1 and 4; next I soldered the diode to the pins – cathode to pin 1 & anode to pin 4. After that I pushed the pins back into the connector and refitted the clip:


Once I had done this on both sides the job was complete. Finally I have five rear brake lights, like all the other fanatic-owned MINIs! And I still have rear fogs when I need them.