I have a problem with my taillights.

**graphicsgod** · 04-12-2006, 06:24 PM

I have replaced my taillights and wiring with those off a 94 and have just found out that the break lights don't work

. I figured everything was working fine. The only reason I know now, is because a friend pointed it out to me as I was leaving his house.

My guess is that my 99 needs both prongs/wires to make the brake lights work. I dunno. The 94 only uses one prong. Otherwise everything works. They light up at night, and the turns work, but when I apply the brake... nothing. Only the spoiler light works.

Heres a quick picture to show the differences (BTW, I checked them with a volt meter, so I know what is what).

Would it be worthwile to rewire the bottom sets? Like to switch them or combine them?

My camaro.

Rob

**graphicsgod** · 04-14-2006, 11:00 AM

Anyone got any ideas?

Rob

**WhiteBird00** · 04-17-2006, 08:23 AM

Well, you're trying to convert a car with separate amber turn signals into one where the signals and brakes use the same bulb. You're going to have to do more than just plug in the existing wires. The problem is that you need both the turn signal feed (yellow wire on left, dark green wire on right) and the brake light feed (light blue wire) have to go to the same bulb without interfering with each other. For example, you want the right hand bulbs to flash while the left hand bulbs are on solid when you use the right signal with your foot on the brake. If you just connect all the wires to the sockets then both sides would stay on solid regardless of the turn signal because they get constant power from the brake light feed.

There is no really easy way to fix this. On Firebirds (which don't have amber turn signals) the turn signal switch is different to handle combining the signals with the brake lights.

About the only way I can think of to do this on your car is to install one of those 5-pin to 4-pin trailer modules. They are designed to allow a vehicle with separate turn signals to connect to the taillights of a trailer with only red lights. They have input wires for running lights, brake lights, left signal, right signal, and ground. The output wires are running lights, left taillight, right taillight, and ground. The module takes care of feeding the proper signal to each of the taillights based on what combination of brakes and turn signals are in use.

**graphicsgod** · 04-25-2006, 05:10 PM

Ok I fixed my problem, I'll post pics of what I did later. One problem I have now is doing this one mod where my tail lights act like a T/As. Anyone know where exactly these two wires are? I'm Guessing it's under the stering column. Dunno, doesn't say on the pics. Anyone know?

Go here for wiring diagrams.

Rob

**ScrapMaker** · 04-26-2006, 02:53 PM

you could have done this with a few simple relays... but would it not have been easier to just go with newer tails?

**graphicsgod** · 04-26-2006, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by ScrapMaker

you could have done this with a few simple relays... but would it not have been easier to just go with newer tails?

Not sure about what relays your talking about. When it comes to electrical wiring, I know that theres a hot wire and a ground. And only one signal can be sent at a time (ie. on and off). Thats about it

.

Well I did replace the lenses and and the wiring harness, not good enough?

================================================== ========

Ok some pics and a little walkthrough.

Here is where the flasher is located. Take that out and replace it with a "variable load" one at Autozone. Part number "552, Tridon Stant". If you don't like the quetness of this flasher, and prefer something louder, they have two more that will fit f-bodies and say on the box that it is louder, but cost like $10 bucks over the $2 dollars of the cheaper option.

It is not easy to remove this!! I had to really yank on it and then use a screwdriver (carefully mind you) to get it off. The reason you need to replace the GM flasher is because, if you do the outer light MOD and splice it to the other turn, your flashers will flash too fast because of the load. Or if you do the Thundercat turn signal MOD, it wont work period. I did both !

Next I needed to splice into the blue wire back by the rear light harness to get the break lights to work. I sent one wire to one light and spliced another to the other side. As you can see I poorly ran my wires. I will clean this up later and redo it to look more factory and less like "I" did it, lol.

Some quick diagrams to get an idea of how it works.
The Wiring for the tail lights.

If you want to do the turn signal MOD from foxthundercats.com.

Heres a pic of the moduel in the trunk. Hidden behind the carpet.

Next I needed a three wired light. On all Camaros only one light has three wires. For this to work I needed to replace all the ones that had the two wire setup (minus the back up light, no need to change that). So as you can see I ripped one off the old 99 tail light harness to get one. The other I got at Autozone (only works for 93-97 tail lights BTW). I will be replacing the 99 ones later for better looks and ease of bulb replacement (the 99 lights are a little tight on 93-97 tail light lenses). So I then wired the break lights and then spliced the third farthest light into the other turn signal. That was it.

The finished product. Click to view...

Now if you want to do the turn signal MOD, Go here. For more info on how this is done go here.

I want to thank Carmen over at foxthundercats.com and bfranker@tampabay.rr.com for all they'er info and help.

Rob

**ScrapMaker** · 04-27-2006, 06:20 AM

oh okay, you're doing sequential tails... now it makes sense...

the module isn't expensive is it? cuz I could probably wander into a radioshack and have all the parts I need for 10 bucks...

**SamD_Ind** · 04-27-2006, 09:26 AM

Go on Ebay & but a kit....only 20 min. & ur good to go

**ScrapMaker** · 04-27-2006, 09:29 AM

I prefer to use a microcontroller... you can make the tails act any way you want.... or even turn them off if you wanted...

**graphicsgod** · 04-27-2006, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by ScrapMaker

oh okay, you're doing sequential tails... now it makes sense...

the module isn't expensive is it? cuz I could probably wander into a radioshack and have all the parts I need for 10 bucks...

Well if you think you can do it, I've seen on ebay plans for making your own for 6-12 bucks and the parts are like 20-30 bucks more. I'd do that, but I suck at wiring or circut boards

. So I paid $60 for this ver. The other one that works for three lights is about $80 here.

Hey BTW, if your so good at this. Can you help me figure out what I'm supposed to do here to get the same effect? I don't understand what to do or where this is located... This is my next problem.

http://www.foxthundercats.com/electr...7camaromod.htm

Rob

**ScrapMaker** · 04-27-2006, 03:05 PM

hrm.. I can't say I know what's really going on with this kit... but, essentially, you could do the same thing with different capacitors... a bigger capacitor takes longer to charge, meaning the bulb will take longer to light... and also it will stay on longer after the power is cut...

this kit probably works in a similar way, but there are many ways of doing it...