TheSamba.com :: View topic - Update: Third Brake Light Help

Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:18 am

Forgive my ignorance, but I will eventually be adding an LED third brake light on my '65 and have read threads on this. My question is specifically about the actual methodology of connecting the wires.

I have seen statements like, "If your brake lights are currently working well and the wires are in good condition just splice in to one side.", and "just tee into one of them" but how is this "splice" accomplished? Are they saying to strip some insulation from a point along the existing wire to connect the new wire? If so, how is the job completed, some sort of connector, just wrap with electrical tape?

I've read that you don't want to use residential type screw-on connectors, but it never explains the proper method to use.

Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:37 am

One - brake lights are IMPORTANT. So what I would do would be to strip a little insulation (1/2 inch) off one of the brake light wires (don't cut the wire !!!), and wrap a new wire around the now-exposed copper wire and SOLDER your new wire for the third brake light. Then use well-installed electrical tape to seal/insulate this connection real well.

If you find a push-on connector junction in the brake light circuit (like where the rear light housing connects), there are 2-to-1 brass connectors available that might fit, but these will need to fit tightly and also be wrapped/insulated real well as above.

Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:39 am

Do a search at youtube to see how it can be done.

Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:49 am

I'm an idiot when it comes to electricity but how hard can it be? When you push the brakes 12 volts is being sent to the brake lights. So the new 3rd light should have two wires. One for 12v and one for ground. Splice into the 12v wire going to the existing brake light and use a new wire to connect from the splice to the 12v wire on the new 3rd light. Don't forget the grounds; Most every bug wiring problem I ever had turned out to be ground related.

crvc

Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:19 pm

CRVC is pretty much right on with the basics. To answer your question of "how" I'll lay down a little knowledge for you...

First, it should be a straight forward connection...

You'll want to find a "splice connector." They're readily available at any auto parts store. They look like this:

It isn't the best connection, but with your current knowledge of an automotive electrical system, it will do just fine.

You'll hook it up to the power side of one of your brake lights (not the running light or turn signal). If all is stock on your '65 it should be a black wire. Then you'll run a wire from that connector to your new LED brake light. Like CRVC said, make sure you hook it to a good ground as well. (I'm assuming you know what "ground" means)

Wed Aug 15, 2012 5:28 pm

When I used my safety star as a third brake light I wired it like Cusser suggested.

Cusser wrote: If you find a push-on connector junction in the brake light circuit (like where the rear light housing connects), there are 2-to-1 brass connectors available that might fit, but these will need to fit tightly and also be wrapped/insulated real well as above.

One of these.

No splicing of any wires.

Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:05 pm

VeeDubDoug wrote: When I used my safety star as a third brake light I wired it like Cusser suggested.

Cusser wrote: If you find a push-on connector junction in the brake light circuit (like where the rear light housing connects), there are 2-to-1 brass connectors available that might fit, but these will need to fit tightly and also be wrapped/insulated real well as above.

One of these.

No splicing of any wires.

This would be ideal if you can find one easily.

Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:44 pm

Personally, I don't like, or use, these:

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I was thinkin' something more like this:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/DOR4/8643...;ppt=C0335

Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:15 pm

Hugo Stiglitz wrote: VeeDubDoug wrote: When I used my safety star as a third brake light I wired it like Cusser suggested.

Cusser wrote: If you find a push-on connector junction in the brake light circuit (like where the rear light housing connects), there are 2-to-1 brass connectors available that might fit, but these will need to fit tightly and also be wrapped/insulated real well as above.

One of these.

No splicing of any wires.

This would be ideal if you can find one easily.

Those are easy to find, I got some at lame Autozone.

Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:52 pm

This is what I used!

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111937079

Thu Aug 16, 2012 12:21 pm

Cusser wrote: Personally, I don't like, or use, these:

I was thinkin' something more like this:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/DOR4/8643...;ppt=C0335

Not my first choice either. As we can tell from the OP - He has a very limited knowledge of an automotive electrical system. With that, I'm assuming he has very limited tools as well.

That being said, are the splice connectors the best thing to use? No. However, with his knowledge and/or capability, they will be the easiest to install without having to buy a crimper, stripper and all the other fun stuff associated with a small job like this.

Sat Aug 18, 2012 3:49 pm

I haven't picked up the LED lights yet and I may want each side to flash as well as be a brake light. Need to figure the wiring out. I guess if i want each side to flash i have to splice into both lights, whereas if just a third brake light, id only have to tap in to one side. The connector info was a big help. I'm thinking the one-into-two type might be just the ticket.

As seen in the photo, I'd pull the appropriate wire/s out of the existing female socket and replace it with a double, right? Looks like I've got three wires, black, red and white. Need to find out which is brake and which is turn signal.

So here are a few questions:
1. In the picture, if I tug a white out of that ASIC VW connector, what will. E on the end of it? (it's a little hard to get to and I'm afraid I'll just pull the wires out if it's corroded in any way.
2. In the picture there are three wires, red, black and grey. Which one am I tapping into?
3. I'll be using a Max LED 2 light kit with very small wires. If I used the splice. O nector, would I have to double or triple over the thin positive wire to have the splice grab it like the thicker stock wire?
4. The second thin wire from the LED light has to be run and screwed into the body to ground it, right?
5. I have t got a clue yet as to how to have them function as a turn signal as well.

Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:59 pm

Where's everyone go?
Still looking for more input. See previous post.
I need to know:
1. Which wire do I tap into for brake light, red, black or grey?
2. Do I tap in one of the LED wires and run the second LED wire to ground on body or chassis?

Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:27 pm

See wiring diagrams on the Technical Page
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/wiring/bug_66_USA.jpg

Red = turn signal
Black = brake light
Gray = Tail light

I don't know how your new light is set up; if there are only two wires, read the instructions to see if one of those wires goes to ground, or if the unit has a metal housing and grounds through its housing. If your LED light has only two wires, and one of those is for ground, then you have only the option of tee-ing in to the black brake light/stop light circuit.

Mon Aug 20, 2012 12:42 pm

Sorry, I can't really read a wiring diagram. Been there to look and frankly I would have guessed it was the red wire.

The new lights are MAX LED flexible led strips with no housing nor metal whatsoever, (3M tape installation), and two very thin wires, so I guess one goes to the black brake light and one will have to be grounded to the body or chassis somewhere. If I were to use one of those splice connectors, I guess I'd have to double or tripple over the led wire so it would be thick enough to be gripped like the brake wire?

Thu Sep 06, 2012 6:33 pm

It is accomished!

It was a daunting task. (To be explained at a future date. )

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Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:01 pm

That's pretty sweet! Looking forward to hearing how you did that.

Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:16 pm

I must say, that looks great! I have been throwing around the idea but have been discouraged due to the seeming p.i.t.a. install. I would love to hear how you did it! I found a 7x3 oval led stop/tail through my work. It will cost me ten bucks after tax. I was thinking of using suction cups to make it a removeable install... I'm still up in the air. Again, that looks awesome!

Thu Sep 06, 2012 9:37 pm

Crap....that's nice

Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:35 am

I really like that! Hope you took some pictures during the installation.