Brake light kill switch

[clex2]

Just completed another minor mod, again with Ron Stygar as the source of inspiration. Only difference is in the placement of the switch. Ron's pic is of a e36 coupe with the switch on the right lower console. Mine is placed just behind the hazzard switch.

[1996 328ti]

Why a kill switch? So cops sdon't see your lights?
They see your car diving down though.

I've wanted to connect my brake lights to my park distance control.
Especially on the track.

[clex2]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

Why a kill switch? So cops sdon't see your lights?
They see your car diving down though.

I've wanted to connect my brake lights to my park distance control.
Especially on the track.

Yeah, that's the idea. If I have to brake hard, I *may* be able to hit this button while I'm slowing down so hitting the brakes is not so obvious. My car doesn't dive much, at least it's not going to be as obvious as a Suburban. Then again, I may never use it. Just wanted to to it, that's all.

[Phil Marx]

In Virginia, passing through radar with your brake lights illuminated can be considered probable cause for stopping, checking, and ticketing for a radar detector (which are illegal in VA), even if you've burned off enough speed not to get a speeding ticket. I've installed plenty of kill switches for customers over the years but on non-ti's I just used the Euro fog-light switch making the rear fog button function as the brake-light kill. It also would activate the check panel on the MID if you were to brake without lights, letting you know your brake lights were not operational (similar to an E30/E28 brake check) should you forgot to deactivate the kill switch.

Nice mod, I like it!

[C4-C]

Hey Clex, where'd you get your molded carbon fiber center console piece at? When I got my kit, I could only find flat dash kits...

[cali-ti]

clex2 or phil, do either of you have a wiring diagram for the brake light kill switch mod? i could guess how to do it, but i might as well just use what people have already done? you could email it to me if you prefer that. TIA

[GDB]

Originally Posted by cali-ti

clex2 or phil, do either of you have a wiring diagram for the brake light kill switch mod? i could guess how to do it, but i might as well just use what people have already done? you could email it to me if you prefer that. TIA

when I did mine I just cut the wire going into the brake light switch. I ran the wire to a two position (dual on) switch and ran one of the outputs back to the the back switch and the other output to a red led to make sure I don't forget to turn the brake lights back on.

[clex2]

Originally Posted by C4-C

Hey Clex, where'd you get your molded carbon fiber center console piece at? When I got my kit, I could only find flat dash kits...

C4-C,

My center console is custom wrapped in CF. I've never seen one "mass" produced. There are a number of people out there who will custom wrap anything you want.

Cali-ti, the wiring is like GDB said, but if you want a diagram, I can email you one. PM me your email address so I can attach a file to you.

[aceyx]

I thought that Ron put the kill switch in the parking brake button in his ti.

I'd love the schematic too if you get the chance.

[clex2]

The diagram is not really important. Just find the wires going to your brake light switch (located near the brake pedal arm) and splice a switch into one of the wires that will open the circuit when you want to kill the lights.

*the information posted here is just that, information. I do not condone the use of this information unscrupulous activity. It can be used to increase the life of the brake light bulb filaments and wires when appyling the brakes for prolonged periods of time while stopped in a safe loaction.*

After haviong said that, the switch I used is the rear child saftey lock switch from the 4 door e36. I got the switch and it's harness from a wrecked car. I included pics of the internals of the switch, which is a wierd one. There are 6 pins on the back, divided into two identical circuits of 3 pins(1,2,3 and 4,5,6). Pins 1-2 and 5-6 are always connnected regardless of button position. So I will call 1 and 2 just 12 and 5-6 just 56 for simplicity. When not pressed, the button closes the circiut on pin 12-3 and 56-4 and when pressed, opens the circiut (breaks connection) on those pins.

I took the button apart, got some more 90 degree female pin connectors from the dealer and basically connected the 1-6 and 3-4 pins into two wires coming out. My thought was to have two complete circuits to handle the current, but it's probably overkill. I cut one of the brake light switch wires and splced them to the two leads off the swtich. Pretty simple. RIght now, there is no way to indicate that the brake lights have been killed. The button circuity doesn't allow for it. The button I used in not momentary. It stays depressed when pused, and a second push return the button to it's original position. I have another switch in which I removed the mechanism that keeps the button depressed, in effect making it a momentary switch. I would need to keep my finger on the button to activate the kill, and once I remove my finger, the brake light function normally. That's probably akin to Ron Stygars use of the hand brake button. I'll have to see what works better. I have to think some more about an led indicator and how to make it work with this switches circuitry. May need relay or something.

[cali-ti]

Originally Posted by GDB

when I did mine I just cut the wire going into the brake light switch. I ran the wire to a two position (dual on) switch and ran one of the outputs back to the the back switch and the other output to a red led to make sure I don't forget to turn the brake lights back on.

pic of the switch and maybe a quick diagram of how you wired up the LED (one end to switch, other end to ground or where)? just get the switch and sh!t shack or where?