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Interceptor brake lights

T5ewell

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2020 explorer st
#1
I’ve been searching around looking for a module to make my brake lights flicker 1 or 2 times quick before going solid like the interceptors do, not sure if anyones attempted this before but I’ve always loved the little flash they do
 

Nick 48

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#2
did you ever find out how to do this?
 

Sgt1411

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BC&AZ
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2021 ST
#3
I’ve been searching around looking for a module to make my brake lights flicker 1 or 2 times quick before going solid like the interceptors do, not sure if anyones attempted this before but I’ve always loved the little flash they do
That isn't an OEM feature if you have seen it on a PIU its an aftermarket add on.

My understanding from the Police Program Ford Engineers is that FMVSS rules dont allow Ford to sell it with that feature.

I will make some inquiries
 

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#4
It might be available as a FORSCAN mod.
 

Sgt1411

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#6
So I made some inquiries and I was incorrect, the rapid flash rear brake light functionality is offered by the OEM.

This functionality would be programmed into the controller and the the PIU would be the arbitrator of the lighting functionality.

So perhaps the ForScan suggestion was appropriate.

This feature only meets FMVSS when the vehicle's regular OEM functionality is programmed to override the feature.

Apparently some of the aftermarket modules don't allow the vehicles OEM functionality to be primarily so they actually violate FMVSS

You learn something new everyday!
 

SFD295

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#7
Dragging up an old thread...but this isn't done with the actual OEM taillights, at least I've never seen it. What's done is Whelen Vertex LED's are installed, one in the turn signal and one in the reverse light. Typically one red one white. They're hooked to a Whelen Cencom Core or some similar system which gets inputs from the Canbus network. It's programmed with an event so that when the brake is applied, the red Vertex LED flashes that "strobe" pattern, called SignalAlert or SignalAlert Steady. No modification is done to the OEM brake module, as others have commented this would cause issues with certification. It's considered an auxiliary light, not the brake light itself. Hope this helps. My ST is currently set up this way. Red in the turn signals and white in the reverse. Red comes on with brake application, white when in reverse. I removed the OEM amber halogen turn signal bulb and replaced with an LED to avoid the red conflicting with the amber bulb. And I just like the LED better anyway. Did the same with the OEM halogen reverse lamps. Has worked flawlessly for nearly 3 years now. The non-interceptor taillamps don't have the cutout for the Vertex from the factory like the PIU ones do, but the flat area is still there. Just had to drill a 1" hole and they're in the same location as the factory Vertex lamps if ordered. Only difference is they required screw mount, the PIU ones are twist lock.
 

pezy_c

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Ford Police Interceptor Utility
#8
Dragging up an old thread...but this isn't done with the actual OEM taillights, at least I've never seen it. What's done is Whelen Vertex LED's are installed, one in the turn signal and one in the reverse light. Typically one red one white. They're hooked to a Whelen Cencom Core or some similar system which gets inputs from the Canbus network. It's programmed with an event so that when the brake is applied, the red Vertex LED flashes that "strobe" pattern, called SignalAlert or SignalAlert Steady. No modification is done to the OEM brake module, as others have commented this would cause issues with certification. It's considered an auxiliary light, not the brake light itself. Hope this helps. My ST is currently set up this way. Red in the turn signals and white in the reverse. Red comes on with brake application, white when in reverse. I removed the OEM amber halogen turn signal bulb and replaced with an LED to avoid the red conflicting with the amber bulb. And I just like the LED better anyway. Did the same with the OEM halogen reverse lamps. Has worked flawlessly for nearly 3 years now. The non-interceptor taillamps don't have the cutout for the Vertex from the factory like the PIU ones do, but the flat area is still there. Just had to drill a 1" hole and they're in the same location as the factory Vertex lamps if ordered. Only difference is they required screw mount, the PIU ones are twist lock.
Do you have them set to BrakeAlert or just ON? Also, what turn signal bulb brand did you go with?

Re: “this isn’t done with the actual OEM taillights”; have seen this done with the red OEM taillight rings by a local agency, I’m not sure if they are using diodes or if there’s a trick to it…Hoping to find out eventually, it does look sleek.
 



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