88Convertible

iTrader: (8)

I picked up a unit from Steven on tgo here, I have a formula model firebird. After searching I found most in my situation just changed to Ta tail lights. But im going to just keep mine.

I was looking to use the brake lights with the turn signal light, as the turn signal is under the brake lights. I was only going to use the STS for turn signal only and not the brake. (As I also found when I searched, Someone else had said there are alot of not so bright people out there and might not stop if the see this).

Which directions should I follow.

I want it to flash like this

outer light(2nd), inner brake(1st) (1st) inner brake, (2nd) outer brake
turn light (3rd) (3rd) turn light

And the same on the other side. Just like it should work.
What do I need to do?


Hope this makes sense


Thanks

HCR13

iTrader: (5)

If you don't get a reply soon, try contacting BigBabyLou, I'm pretty confident he can answer your question...I just think he hasn't seen this thread yet... I got STS and they work great!

88Convertible

iTrader: (8)

Great, Thanks

I believe I have a good idea what I need to do, As the instructions pretty well describe how everythin goes together, I just want to make sure.

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Morning, just saw your thread.
If I understand right, you are thinking about flashing the red and amber portions of your tail light for your turn signals. I would strongly advise against it. If you have amber turn signals, use just those, do not add red to the flashing sequence. Not only it would be illegal but it would also confuse drivers behind you.

Lou

88Convertible

iTrader: (8)

Thanks Lou

What if I was to just use the upper two brake lights and eliminate the bottom turn?
The only bumme rwould be I would only have two sts rather than three.

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

You can easily add an extra dual-filament lightbulb to the red portion of your tail lights. Many people have done that already.
Try asking Fyrchykn (I'm not 100% sure on his username spelling), he's done it recently.

But then, if you decide to use the red lights as brake lights AND turn signals, you'll have to make a simple modification under the steering column, as highlighted in my article:
http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=37

Hope this helps.
Lou

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I'm doing the STS on my firebird with base taillights. I want to use the top red lights for brake and turn.
to do this i need to follow just step 1 of your tech article?
Also are there any threads on what other people have done to mount a dual filament socket to the top row? I can just cut a hole and glue/silicone it on but then i have to mess with that when i need to replace the bulb.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

ttt

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I would of done this through PM but i can't send pics with a PM
In a PM from BigBadLou

"And yes, there are plenty of threads on how people replaced the single-filament sockets with dual-filament sockets. You shouldn't have to do any filing or gluing, the sockets should be a direct fit."

In the first pic is my driver side tail light there are two 85867 style sockets on the right and two other style sockets to the left. It's the third socket from the right (other style) that i need to turn into a dual filament socket. But Lou says it's a direct fit. Does the Trans Am/GTA tail lights use this other style socket?
the other pic is of the socket that i have.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I know the difference between a dual filament bulb and single filament bulb. What i don't know is why use a dual filament bulb over a single filament bulb? for a example (as you can see in the pic above) the base firebird taillights have two dual filament bulbs and two single filament bulbs for the brake/hazard lights.
What is the pros and cons of the two and why is the daul better than the single, or is it

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

TTT

CaliChevyLover

dual allows for taillight and brake/turn signal functions. single filament means pick one or the other..stock form they choose it to be for the taillights.

so in stock form when you hit the brakes, 2 lights stay the same, while the other 2 get brighter...i imagine it makes it easier for drivers to see that you are braking, especially if your car is pre-1986

I'm a customer of bigbadlou, although for some reason i keep having issues with water burning up my modules

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

where do you have the module mounted?

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

ttt

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

To mount the 85867 socket i used a dremal to "open up" the light socket holes. the sockets fit snug but i may end up using some hot glue just to be sure they stay in place. the second picture show the inside of the tail light. i cleaned them up and sprayed silver paint to help reflect the light a little better.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24491564@N08/5548296917/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24491564@N08/5548878034/

Where is a good place to mount the STS unit?

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I need some help with the wiring for the STS.
In the directions for the (brake-brake-tail | tail-brake-brake) installation. Under the heading
Connecting the left taillight:
#4 reads 'locate the yellow wire splice in the harness what is being called a splice.

i'm attaching a drawing that i made to show what i have.the wires coming in from the left are coming out of the body on the driver side. I did leave out the back up lights and the two inner taillights. I'm hoping some one can dumb this down alittle for me thanks

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

lets see if this is any bigger

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

Any advice would be welcome.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

any one? BigBadLou?
is the yellow splice behind the rear storage compartment?

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

On your particular configuration (base Firebird), the yellow left turn signal wire feeds only a single lightbulb so there is no splice. Same for the dark green wire for the right turn signal, only one wire, no splice.

Hope this helps.
Lou

P.S.: The installation instructions are generic, for any car, but as an example, a GTA was used. I might make the instructions tailored to each thirdgen vehicle instead.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

So would you be able to come up with a wire diagram for my application?

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

You can use the generic diagram in the installation instructions.
Just disregard the yellow splice and green splice.
Run the yellow wire to one A input and the dark green wire to the other A input. From there, run three wires from ABC to three bulbs (inner, middle, outer) on each tail light. If that's not a good explanation, I can draw something up.

You will want to mask off the amber section on the tail lights or paint it red with Testor's Translucent Candy Apple Red ($5 at WalMart).

Don't forget, you'll need to make one snip under the steering column and reroute that wire a few inches. It's in the instructions.

Let me know if you need anything else.
Lou

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

If you could draw something up that would be great. Also it'll help other people that'll run into the same situation.
1 the turn signal sockets will be cut out and disguarded
2 on the STS unit there will be 2 wires at the A terminations?
3 looking at my diagram will the blue wires go to the STS unit or will it be the brown
wires?

Thanks for your help!

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

1) if you want to comply with the law to the very last detail, you might want to put maybe red reflective tape over the amber section if it won't be functional anymore
2) sure, that's the easy way, one wire coming in from the harness and the second wire going to the first bulb - that will save you having to make a connection in the harness - that's why I put these expensive connectors on the units
3) the blue wires won't be used at all - cut them and cap them; the brown wires are for tail lamps, they are not for the STS unit, they need to go to the brown wires on the tail sockets - cut and splice as necessary but do not route them to the STS

Attaching a diagram - it is the generic diagram from the installation instructions with colors indicated.

Hope this helps.
Lou

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

BigBadLou
OK I'm making some progress. I have sequential turn signals,hazards and brake lights. The brake lights sequence once then they stay on. The problem i have now is i have no tail lights. Looking at the wire diagram the brown wires are for the running lights and the blue wires are coming from the brake switch. I have done the rewire under the dash for the Trans Am tail lights. I have a total of 4 bulbs per tail light.

Outer tail/brake Middle tail/brake Inner tail/brake Inner most tail light

With the head light switch on only the Inner most light comes on. I've done as per your diagram and connected all 6 brown wires (both sides) to the STS. One green, one yellow and one ground.

Please advise.

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

What did I just say? No connecting the brown wires to the STS unit. They are A COMPLETELY SEPARATE CIRCUIT, do not connect them to the STS.
That said, connect all brown wires together, nowhere else, just the brown wires connected together. It's the park lamp circuit, it doesn't flash through the STS unit, it is just a single color wire that feeds multiple bulbs. All brown wires together fed by the light switch.

Light blue wire is not used anymore, cap it off and ignore it completely.

Focus here is ONLY on the dark green and yellow wires. Though you did connect those right, that's for sure, because you have sequencing tail lights, congratulations.
The brakes will sequence when they come on, that's by design. And there is also an optional input on the STS (one F for each side) which can override the brakes so that they do NOT sequence (desired and more legal). The F stands for "Front turn signal" so if you wish the brakes to come on all at once but the turn signals to flash, you connect two extra wires to the STS unit (both terminals F). You will run those from the unit through the fender well, behind the driver side sail panel, under the plastic floor plate/carpet and up into the dash wiring where you can connect it to the front turn signal wires. (see which colors per the attached instruction sheet)

If you would like to talk on the phone, let me know and I can PM you my number and we can discuss your wiring and I could probably just walk you through it.

Lou

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

After some miscommunication on my part i have Sequential turn signals.

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Congratulations. How do you like them?

Post a video when you get a chance.

Lou

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

pic 1 just to give a refrence what i started out with.
pic 2 after hours of sanding and polishing. starting at 100 grit ending with wet sanding 2000 grit. this was before two light coats of VHT nightshade. i also painted the orange turn signal section with testers transparent red model paint. after it dried it wasn't quite red but after the nightshade it looks good.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

pic 3 the two halfs were pulled apart very slowly as to not break any of the tabs holding it together. other than the tabs a black pitch type sealer was used to seal the two halfs together.i guess i didn't do this slow enough because i ended up breaking most of the tabs. when they did go back together i i use black roofing sealer.
pic 4 i used a dremal to cut out the holes for the larger 85867 socket. i didn't have to both of these to the duel filiment bulb but i wanted to make sure that the tail lights looked the same. the replacement sockets fit snug but i may end up hot glueing them in just to make sure they don't move due to vibration.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

pic 5 shows all the bulb sockets two which are the 85867 socket. and it also shows the location of the STS unit.
pic 6 is a close up of the STS unit.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1KJUkOtcmc

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Nice. I wanna hear more info on your lighted center section though!

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Nicely done, neat installation, great pictures, thanks!
Kudos on the labeled wires and a neatly attached unit.

Lou

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I ordered a no load adjustable flasher through the web site below. I hope it gives me the results that i'm looking for. We will see

http://www.clparts.com/clshop/store....oad-adjustable

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...ece-mod-3.html

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

This video is with LED bulbs installed. These are the stock replacment 1157 LED bulbs i got from Autozone. They are pricey $16.99 for a set of two. Great thing about LED's is it's on or off. There is no ramping up effect with the stock bulb. They are brighter and shine red, I also installed a stock replacment 3157 LED bulb for the center section.
One thing i nocticed is that with the headlight switch off when you push the brake pedal the lights do not Sequence. Not a problem at all just just something i noticed.
P.S. Do LED bulbs have a built in capacitor?
P.S.S. Does anyone need a adjustable flasher?
P.P.S.S Don't mind the air raid horn that's my ring tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOZbOkXkOsA

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

Very nice! Can you post up a pic of the package of bulbs you got? I've tried a couple sets of LED bulbs for my front ambers in the past & they were all junk, in the daytime. How are your in full daylight?

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

http://www.jamstrait.com/
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=343447_0_0_

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

don't know car has been in the garage for along time.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

OK. I'll reserve full judgment on them, until you test them in full daylight. Mine were great in the dark. Hardly visible from 10ft, in full daylight.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

It will be a long while before this car see's daylight. I will be very suprised if these are dime in the daylight they are very bright.

91banditt2

iTrader: (1)

I sent this through PM but thought there would be some usefull info

Thank it was alot of work and I’m happy with the results.
I decided to mod the stock base/Formula taillight because I saw on here that someone had sanded and tinted theirs. And I thought that would be a more affordable option than buying a set of T/A taillights.
The outside of the tail lights were sanded down starting with a 400 grit sanded paper and worked my way to wet sanding with a 2000 grit. They have 2 light coats of VHT nightshade. Any more than 2 they were way too dark. Then two or three coats of clear coat. Needless to say I went through some trail and error with this project.

The inside was cleaned and the amber (stock) turn signal section was sprayed with Testers red transparent model paint. After about 4 or 5 coats the turn signal section was less orange and redder but still not quite red but close enough. With the nightshade it looks pretty good.
The back half of the taillights where the bulb sockets mount were cleaned and the inside were painted with some silver metallic paint.
Since I needed to replace one of the stock bulb socket for a duel filament 1157 bulb I decided to just replace both of the peanut bulb sockets. I used a dremal to enlarge the holes to except the larger sockets. I took my time as to not make the holes any bigger than they need to be. With the rubber/foam gasket that the socket comes with it seals pretty good. I do not know well this will stay in place so I am going to use RTV or hot glue to hold them in place.

The 1157 stock replacement LED bulbs that I used cured some issues I had with the incandescent light bulbs. With the incandescent light bulbs the third light in the sequences would not light up all the way before the sequences started all over again. Since incandescent light bulbs need time to ramp up to burn bight and the LEDs are on and off their was no need for an adjustable turn signal flasher slow down the sequence.

The flashers that the car came with are 224 flasher for the turn signals and a 552 flasher for the hazards. I ended using the 552 flasher for both the turn and hazard lights. With incandescent light bulbs and using the 552 flasher the sequence was kind of slow for my taste. Using the LEDs the sequence was faster. The result is what you see in the video

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Just as an FYI, I still have plenty of units left. I have a list of about 40 members who wanted one badly and so far shipped about 20 units.
So if y'all still want some, I got plenty left over.
At this point, all reservations are off and these are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

Lou

mrrman

marked for later

mrrman

What are you selling these for? Whats in the kit? Thanks

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Oh sorry, I forgot to post the link to my STS webpage. It will give you all the answers you need. If you still have questions afterwards, feel free to ask.

Lou

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Gentlemen, I am now down to last 2 units so ....

AT THIS POINT, PLEASE CONTACT ME FIRST TO MAKE SURE I HAVE A UNIT AVAILABLE BEFORE SUBMITTING A PAYMENT.

A PM is sufficient to reach me.

Thank you
Lou

BigBadLou

iTrader: (3)

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, I am now officially SOLD OUT. No more STS units.

Thanks, it was fun, we had a good run, hope y'all are enjoying all the sequential tail lights out there!

Lou

Foster382

If yall need a guide to follow to install them.read this. It's what I did and i still use them

G https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...s-formula.html