99 Flashing 3rd Brake Light

[guest]

I just bought a 99 SLE V6, Silver 20k. I noticed that the 3rd brake light will flash for about 3-5 seconds and then go full red, is this an optionm is there a flasher in place somewhere or should I start looking for loose grounds etc. I have seen a few other 99's 00's 01's and the brake light just comes on like normal and stays on.

[krawzyazn]

i have seen that on some newer cars its annoying

[Mole]

that is def annoying. i dont know how it got hooked up, but it is there purposely to warn drivers behind you.

imho, makes me WANT to ram into the blinking 3'rd brake light.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Its not a loose wire....someone did that on purpose....I easy to notice...but if your on a rushhour traffic, its ANNOYING. I'd leave it as it was...

[challenger]

Does any one know how to reverse this? Is there an inline flasher or relay.???

[Mole]

my guess is that it is done by a relay.

but where is it located is the question...

try tracing the wires. its got to be somewhere along the line.

[Jon11582]

Is this something that is done at the factory or at the dealership?

Im from Jersey and Ive personally never seen this and Ive been driving for a good 4 years.

Is it a 99-only thing? a regional thing? something else? why do some have it while others dont?

[DavPak]

Is this something that is done at the factory or at the dealership?

Im from Jersey and Ive personally never seen this and Ive been driving for a good 4 years.

Is it a 99-only thing? a regional thing? something else? why do some have it while others dont?

i don't think that he wants it, sounds like a malfunction or something stupid the previous owner put in.

[krook]

some newer cars come with it. i'm not sure what feature it's called, but i'll bet the dealership puts it in.

[JoeB]

Definitely not a dealer option in 99. I've seen this on a bunch of the newer cars (not Solaras yet) and somewhat agree about the annoyance. It is a safety feature and it makes it easier for a car following you, that might not be paying attention, see you braking. However, some cars just KEEP FLASHING, that's annoying! I don't think flashing 3-5 times then going solid is too bad. This coming from a guy that got rear-ended by a girl who just wasn't paying attention. By the way, our cars do quite well in a rear-end collision . If it really bothers you and you want to get rid of it, try starting from the fuse box and work your way back. If you don't find it in the engine compartment, move to the trunk and check close to the light itself. -JoeB

[challenger]

I checked with 3 loacal dealers here in Utah and none of them know of this as an option, they referred me to some local stereo shops, and again it's a dead end. I didn't think that it would be so anoying untill I followed my wife home in rush hour traffic. I'm affraid we'll be shot if I don't disconnect it. LOL. I'll let you know what iI find.