Write-Up: Sequential Turn Signals

Oh yeah! Look at dem turn signals! Pimpin' Codith.

ya hurrz!

yea they make me very happy. just so sexy

Whas it a difficult mod? Where did you get the kit Turtle?

97Riv-Jon wrote:

Whas it a difficult mod? Where did you get the kit Turtle?

foxthundercats.com
it's the TCSF-03 Sequencer
both jack and I have installed it on the riv with success.
very easy mod - just a little wiring and care with a drill or dremel

Thanks! Another on the "to do" list..

Definately a to do for me. One of my next mods.

Okay, I'm sold. I'm doing this one!

Is there a How-To write up on this?

Does the kit work both tail lights? ( I would guess it does, but not sure), or do you have to buy one for each side.

What exactly are you cutting?

I'm really interested in doing this mod!

Natesriv wrote:

Is there a How-To write up on this?

Does the kit work both tail lights? ( I would guess it does, but not sure), or do you have to buy one for each side.

What exactly are you cutting?

I'm really interested in doing this mod!

The kit will work on both tail lights. I believe you need to drill a hole to make it so the 3rd light will blink. Theres only room for 2 if im correct.

Natesriv wrote:

Is there a How-To write up on this?

Does the kit work both tail lights? ( I would guess it does, but not sure), or do you have to buy one for each side.

What exactly are you cutting?

I'm really interested in doing this mod!

if and when you order them, just let me know and i'll give you all the details and things to watch out for. you won't get them for nearly 3 weeks so there will be time for explanation. You cut and connect some wires going to the bulbs. You enlarge one of the socket holes on the housing. and to use the bulbs they supply, you must modify them slightly

Thanks Codith. You have very nice feet.

I'll be doing this in the next couple weeks.

Codith, I'm ready to order, see link: http://www.foxthundercats.com/electronixx/sequencers.htm

Do I need the deluxe kit?

Also, does the functionality of the lights remain the same other than the turn signal operation?

AA wrote:

Codith, I'm ready to order, see link: http://www.foxthundercats.com/electronixx/sequencers.htm

Do I need the deluxe kit?

Also, does the functionality of the lights remain the same other than the turn signal operation?

The deluxe kit gives you the flasher you need and the dual filament bulbs for the center light so I would say the deluxe kit is worth getting. They also include some wire crimp hardware but I would suggest soldering and heat-shrinking it instead. One thing that you must know, however, is that the bulb they supply must not be installed onto a riv as is. When you have them, i'll explain more what you have to do with the sockets

The lights will also sequence under braking and with the hazard lights.

Under braking? WTF? Tell me there's a way around this! I'd prefer they not sequence with hazards, either. Can they be wired for turn signal only?

AA wrote:

Under braking? WTF? Tell me there's a way around this! I'd prefer they not sequence with hazards, either. Can they be wired for turn signal only?

I think it would be sweet if it were varibly controlled by brake pressure.... if you ride the break one light, a little harder, 2 lights, and down is all 3. Eventually I am defiantly gonna do this.

AA wrote:

Under braking? WTF? Tell me there's a way around this! I'd prefer they not sequence with hazards, either. Can they be wired for turn signal only?

there isn't any practical way around this. You would have to run more wires from the brake switch to the lights independent of the turn signal circuit. It really isn't a problem at all. Like Alex said, I almost see it as an added safety feature. If only one our of the three brake lights came on, people would still see it it clearly, and then you have more lights coming on while you're still braking - Kind of like Mercedes' flashing brake lights that they are trying to legalize because it's proven to prevent related accidents by making the following driver more alert. Except the sequential lights won't give them a seizure at the same time lol.

It just occurred to me that you may be thinking of this the wrong way. To clarify, When you press the brakes, The lights sequence on and stay on until you let go of the brake. They don't keep sequencing while you hold the brake. That could be discerning.

As for the hazard lights - IMO, the sequencing effect makes that much better. I think the multiple flashes will catch drivers faster, resulting in a more effective warning

Oh, all right, that's cool. As long as they stay on while I'm braking. I didn't like the thought of the car looking like a christmas tree while stopped! I can tolerate the hazards, the only thing is when you have to flip them on with the car off, I can see it draining the battery faster.

I finally ordered these today. Can't wait to put them in.

congrats my friend how it turns out well

After sitting on my shelf a few months, the sequential flashers are in... and I love'em. I was waiting to install them, because after installing the Hidden Hitch, I needed to wire a trailer lighting connector. This was the perfect time to do both projects.

The install went well. It took a minute to understand how they work, as I'm not the expert on car electronic systems, but once it hit me... wow, it's so simple!

A few notes:

The kit included the two extra bulbs needed for the center lamps, but not the 4 screws to install them.

The supplied crimp connectors are nice, but they only give you just enough. Good to have some more of these around, or a soldering iron.

The factory flash setting is great. I didn't need to mess with tuning the flash rate.

The supplied heavy duty flasher module is pretty loud, and flashes at a faster rate than my previous unit. I tried getting used to the relay click, but I'm sorry, just can't take it. Tomorrow it will get the "bubble wrap and rubber bands" treatment.

When locking the car from outside with the remote, none of the rear lamps illuminate. When unlocking, only the back-up lights turn on. I'm thinking of ways to fix this. It would be really cool to have the light sequence when you lock/unlock, like Knight Rider.

Overall, I like this mod a lot. It's an exterior mod that's kinda not. Very classy too, imo. I'm a avid signaler; use them every chance I get. Cant wait for people to see these things as I pass them by and merge!

When I lock the car, mine flash normally. The parking circuit lights, not the stop/turn. But mine might be different because of the aftermarket remote/alarm/etc. I did notice that the sequencer slows down just a hair when its very cold outside. When you have a real cold day again, start it up cold and check them again.

Aaron, My flasher relay doesn't make any noise that I can notice. You might try a different one, just make sure it's heavy duty. Those things can generate some heat so wrapping it might not be the best idea.
FYI: If I have the ignition key turned up but the engine not running, the flashers won't sequence right. It needs full power to operate correctly (at least that's the way it is on my car).. I guess what I'm trying to say is, the lights might not sequence right by the remote and the car not running.
I'm glad you like them! I think they are perfect for the riv and give it a little needed something for the rear.
I'm two to three years out on mine with no problems and love to show them off.

My signals work fine with the car off. Because I have the voltage booster, my car normally reads 14.5-14.9 volts with the engine on. This results in my battery being charged to above 13 volts when off. Since the parking lamp wiring is still intact, it seems clear that my car does not illuminate the parking lamps when I hit lock/unlock on the remote. Maybe it sends a low voltage signal to the stop lamps?

I understand the heat issue with the relay. I tried using my old flasher, and it works, but I wonder if there's a downside to using it.