My friend noticed this the other night. Whenever i step on my brakes, the third brake light on the spoiler flashes at a constant rate. I have never heard of this before, and my manual doesn't mention it. btw, i have a 2002 SE. anyone else notice this?

 

it would be hard for us to notice this problem on our cars - but it is making me want to check it out via a friend driving behind my car - I would bring it into the service dept

 

just have someone step on the brakes with it parked, mine still does it. the thing is, it looks like its supposed to be doing that. i mean, it flashes at a constant rate, and does it every time so i dunno...

 

hMmM... just drop by a service dept and have them look at it - it should fall under your warranty without a question

 

I think this is a safety feature.

I've seen a couple of newer Grand Cherokees and Chevy Malibus that have their 3rd brake lite flash 2-3 times and then stays lit after that. Easy to observe since it was in rushour traffic.

 

Usually indicates that it was dealer installed rather than factory installed. If the car had the wing installed at the dealer they used the signal from the brake light which often times causes the light in the spoiler to flash.

 

I thought all SE's had spoilers?

 

Yup spoilers are standard on the SE. at leats on the 02-03 I know for sure. I'm gonna check it out later. I've seen a new-model Mercury Cougar do that.

 

They do, and mine does not flash. Close the garage door and look in the mirror.

 

Mine does do it. Oh well, I sorta like it. I'd rather not get rear ended

 

Dude, you've got problems. (Or at least your car does). I'm sorry to flame, but you really asked a dumba$$ question....

Let me answer: NO, YOUR THIRD BRAKE LIGHT SHOULD NOT BLINK.

Any other questions...like, "should my car catch on fire when I go over 35mph???" "I can't figure it out..."

 

Well actually, there are quite a few new Toyota's that do this very thing. It is a new safety feature that some of the car manuf. are doing, but I don't think it was done intentionally by Nissan.

Scott

 

Ok, I laughed at Dr. Volkl's "laughing" - but you sir are "waaaay out of your element, Donny"! ....see The Big Lebowski if you don't know what I'm referring to....


Flashing auxilary tailights have been around for more than five years now (hello??) on various makes and models.

The latest iterations will flash quickly when first applied, and then go solid after, like a normal brake light.
Keep in mind - this is the HIGH MOUNT only, not the tailights.

Motorcyclists use them as AFTERMARKET ADD-ON's to help deter moron drivers from slamming into them by grabbing more attention and being (yes, it's true) slightly annoying. All of which gets you SEEN more when maneuvering in traffic.

et all ~ see, DAYTIME RUNING LIGHTS.

Although I'm not sure yet if MY 2k2 SE flashes intermittantly when brake is applied (wondering the other day actually) I am HOPING that it does, because I think it is a fantastic PASSIVE safety device that has not yet ascended to mundane status, like the ever popular CAR ALARM.


DUDE! ....is YOUR car on fire???

GR

 

Wouldn't you think all Maxes would do it? Have the dealer check..or better yet, call 800-Nissan-1.

 

I checked and Nope, it doesn't flash...although if that were a built-in feature, I wouldn't really mind.

 

Went out and checked mine - sadly, no flashing.

My guess is it's a regional / manufacturing anomalie that saw a few different versions get released from the factory. (shortage of the standard, substituted a flasher for a week or so....it happens!)

Wish I had one!

I'll eat my words gladly if someone finds that this is some kind of TSB related issue.

Meantime - NOBODy should be CONCERNED about this "gremlin".

Brake with confidence, fully rested in the knowledge that your spoiler mounted brake light is driving the guy (or girl) behind you f____ing nuts -- and best of all, getting you SEEN.

happy motoring!

GR

 

wouldn't a cop pull you over for this? he/she may think your brake light is messed up or something. If the cop doesn't know about this "safety feature" you guys are talking about then you may end up getting a ticket.

 

If you read his original post, he mentioned that his 3rd brake light was flashing at a CONSTANT rate....thus what I interprit to be continually FLASHING...not becoming a solid "red". Now, I have never heard of anything like this, but perhaps I'm wrong. To me it seems quite obvious that something is wrong with the car.

 

The first edition of these 3rd brake lights, do flash at a constant rate, have you never been behind one of these annoying Toyota's expecially in bumper-to-bumper dead stopped traffic?

Scott

 

Taking into account that htis happens at constant rate when he applies brakes I'd consider it feature, not a bug .

Mike.

 

I meant that it flashes for like 6-7 times and the stays lit, not flickering. So I assume that it's meant to do that, however it got on there. I guess it's just one more thing that makes my car unique

 

Let's trade, I will give you my mounted brake light for your spoiler brake light. (I have a GLE, no spoiler..but that will all change before September) Earlier if you send me the flashing one!

 

yeah you might get some cop up on your a$$ for the flashing