3rdBrakeFlasher

CHMSL flasher: www.3rdbrakeflasher.com

[7/5/2017] Reviewed by: Keith Kimble

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 '06+ 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Programmable module that produces an attention-getting flashing of third brake light (CHMSL, or center high mount stop light). From 3rdbrakeflasher.com.

Just installed

No one may ever see this, since lighting reviews haven't been updated since 2009. Oh well, still trying to do my part. This is an easily installed postage-stamp size module that converts third brake light to flashing. Can be wired to make all the brake lights flash, but that looks like a bit of a chore. Rate and number of flashes with brake application depend on intensity of deceleration. Unit comes pre-programmed, but program can be user modified if desired. I did not reprogram, as I was satisfied with default, and reprogramming looked like a bit of a PITA. Installation involves splicing the device into the power wire to third brake light (many wiring diagrams available on the internet if you don't have a tester--in my NA it was the green wire), securing ground wire somewhere to body (inside trunk), and securing module (must be parallel to ground) inside trunk. Tape works just fine. Programming video is on website, if you insist. The only study that convincingly demonstrates the efficacy of third brake lights was the initial San Francisco taxi cab study. Employed here was a third light flasher that varied rate and intensity with rate of deceleration. Also, there was a contemporaneous taxi cab control group with no third brake light. Sadly, the feds dumbed it down when 3rd light made law in 1986, deleting flashing and intensity change in response to braking both in the law, and in subsequent efficacy studies. Perhaps worse, the latter used only historical controls--all but worthless. It remains to be seen whether CHMSL's as mandated since 1986 have any value--but there is at least some evidence that ones like this do reduce the incidence of rear-end collisions.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely