CHMSL (3rd brake light) Strobe module

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Tom_C

Tom_C

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Someone asked offline about the other wires so this is to clarify. The module has 6 wires, 3 for power, and 3 to adjust the speed of the strobe.

Red - connects to the 'hot' wire from the brake peddle
Yellow- connects to the wire going to the light/LED to supply the 'strobe'
Black is ground

White, green, and blue are used to control the speed of the strobe. Slow, no wires connected. Medium, connect the white and green (that's how I have it wired). Fast, connect the white and blue. In my pic I just have the blue wire taped back out of the way using white tape.

Also in my pic, the black wire isn't connected, but it connects to that purple wire in the pic which is tied to a ground tap out of frame. Just below the BCM there is a metal bar with a few screws for ground taps.
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CHS

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I have ran the strobe modules on motorcycles and they do help get people's attention. The only strobe module that I do not care for is when people run them on their headlights. I have seen some on motorcycles.
I had them on my Goldwing. The issue I had is that upon approaching a vehicle, they thought I was the police and would actually pull over. I stopped behind these 2 girls at a stop light and they kept looking in the rear mirror at me. once the light turned green they pulled into the gas station like I was pulling them over. It was funny though.
What I did like was when I was driving on a parkway and you come upon the people that like to drive slow on the left lane. Thinking I was the police, they would pull over to the middle. I would just pass them by. Ended up taking them off. That said, they do work to get peoples attention.
 

12Bravo20

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Yes the flashing headlights do get people's attention. Like you, I had people think I was the police. And I have thought the same when bikes were coming towards me too. I do like having brake lights that will flash 3-4 times though.
 

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Use a stick pushed against the seat or bottom of steering wheel
Problem is that by the time you run back to film the strobe, it's done strobing lol...
 


Jedadiah

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My dealer tried to charge me $399 for one of these things. (Pulse Safety) I told them to remove it or give it to me for free, and they chose the latter. I finally got around to removing it tonight (I've had the truck a month.) I'm not really happy that my new truck has a spliced wire behind the CHMSL, but at least I didn't pay extra for it.

I'm no fan, but if someone is and wants to buy the thing, shoot me a PM and make an offer.
IMG_2476.jpg
 

mark_anderson_us

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I have a thread to collect information, but since I can't edit the topic name I will make a new thread in DIY. Original thread https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/3rd-brake-light-wire-location-in-bcm-under-dash.13217/

I have LED lights so couldn't just add a strobing LED bulb. I used this module, and there are others available. http://www.3rdbrakeflasher.com/brak...1.html?zenid=3375bb80e2a9a1dd9c8d510dba623ed1

It took all of about 10 minutes to install, once I figured out the wiring. See the original thread for info. The 3rd brake light uses the yellow/gray wire in the top left connector on the BCM. There appears to be 2 yellow/gray wires, or maybe I can't see the other color correctly, but the wire you need goes to pin 13, so run it back to be sure.

I used bullet connects so if the module dies I can put it back to stock easily. There are 3 different flash speeds you select by connecting certain wires on the module. I used the medium speed. It flashes 4 times in 1 second and then stays on constantly.

I'll try to get a video, but you get the idea.

CMHSL.jpg


light2.jpg


light1.jpg
Nice
Just want to make sure I understood what you did.

  1. You cut the original yellow/gray wire on pin 13 and then added your controller in the middle (using the controller's red and yellow wires)
  2. To put back to stock, you just connect the red and yellow "plug and socket"?
What does BCM mean?
 
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Tom_C

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Nice
Just want to make sure I understood what you did.

  1. You cut the original yellow/gray wire on pin 13 and then added your controller in the middle (using the controller's red and yellow wires)
  2. To put back to stock, you just connect the red and yellow "plug and socket"?
What does BCM mean?
Correct. The black wire also connects to ground and you control the speed of this particular module using the other 3 wires in the configuration you want to select the speed of the flash.

BCM is body control module, and that's what that blue connector is plugged into.
 

mark_anderson_us

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Correct. The black wire also connects to ground and you control the speed of this particular module using the other 3 wires in the configuration you want to select the speed of the flash.

BCM is body control module, and that's what that blue connector is plugged into.
thanks
 

Jeremyc

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I have a thread to collect information, but since I can't edit the topic name I will make a new thread in DIY. Original thread https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/3rd-brake-light-wire-location-in-bcm-under-dash.13217/

I have LED lights so couldn't just add a strobing LED bulb. I used this module, and there are others available. http://www.3rdbrakeflasher.com/brak...1.html?zenid=3375bb80e2a9a1dd9c8d510dba623ed1

It took all of about 10 minutes to install, once I figured out the wiring. See the original thread for info. The 3rd brake light uses the yellow/gray wire in the top left connector on the BCM. There appears to be 2 yellow/gray wires, or maybe I can't see the other color correctly, but the wire you need goes to pin 13, so run it back to be sure.

I used bullet connects so if the module dies I can put it back to stock easily. There are 3 different flash speeds you select by connecting certain wires on the module. I used the medium speed. It flashes 4 times in 1 second and then stays on constantly.

I'll try to get a video, but you get the idea.

CMHSL.jpg


light2.jpg


light1.jpg
I did this install but my cargo lights stayed on. Anyone had that problem?
 

Big Blue

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Just have to wonder if/how this might affect the Ford trailer brake controller that is connected to the CHMSL.
 

Trigganometry

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Nice
Just want to make sure I understood what you did.

  1. You cut the original yellow/gray wire on pin 13 and then added your controller in the middle (using the controller's red and yellow wires)
  2. To put back to stock, you just connect the red and yellow "plug and socket"?
What does BCM mean?
Body control module
 

Trigganometry

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Just have to wonder if/how this might affect the Ford trailer brake controller that is connected to the CHMSL.
You know, never thought of that. I suppose if brake control is hooked up from the BCM feed pre flasher module it would have no issues. Post flash module and sounds like a possible problem
 
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Tom_C

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I did this install but my cargo lights stayed on. Anyone had that problem?
Sorry, I do not know what might have happened there. I didn't have the issue.

Just have to wonder if/how this might affect the Ford trailer brake controller that is connected to the CHMSL.
You know, never thought of that. I suppose if brake control is hooked up from the BCM feed pre flasher module it would have no issues. Post flash module and sounds like a possible problem
I agree with Trig. The flasher module should be 'down stream' from the brake controller.
 

canyonslicker

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Looks like a great place to connect the CHMSL to the TBC.. hmmm.
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