Eye level brake light

[Garrett]

I bought a used topper for my TV, a 2000 F150.  How do I hook up the eye level brake light on the topper.  It has a connector and I think I should tap in at the rear brake light, but that is also the turn signal.  So how do I keep the eye level light from flashing with the turn signal???

[Gone-Camping]

Probably should tap into the eye level light on the truck!!!

[copcarguy]

Garrett - PLEASE do not tap into a brake light wire!! It is the lazy way out and like you said the 3rd brake light will flash with the blinker. Also, having a flashing 3rd brake light is against federal law! (This is no joke!) The pickup manufacturers have thought ahead and there is a wire to tap into that is labeled CHMSL. This stands for "Center High Mounted Stop Lamp". The wire could be in two places on your truck. Since your truck is a 2000, the wire should be a light green color and around the spare tire area under the truck - you might have to hunt for it but it's under there somewhere. It might be loosely wrapped with electrical tape in a wire loom, or it might just be a 3 inch piece of wire hanging out someplace. If you can't find it there, the second place Ford put it (on earlier trucks starting in 1994) is under the hood near the brake master cylinder. It will be marked the same way. But it has to be there by federal law. It will be in one of those two places!!
 
PS - here is a link to the Ford page for 2000 M.Y. trucks showing the wire and location:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/2000/243_244.PDF
 
I hope this helped!!

[Garrett]

Thanks Carcopguy that sounds like the information I was looking for.  Now I will have to try and hunt that wire down.  I sure was not comfortable with any of the other options available to me.  So of course I did nothing.

[copcarguy]

Just wondering how you made out...

[birol]

Few cuts from the sheet metal probably and he is cursing the people who put that cable there

I am curious too ... I hope he was able to find it and connect it properly.

[Garrett]

If it does not turn too cold that is the project for this Saturday.  Have to admit I am anxious to find out how this turns out also.

[birol]

I am very handy with a lot of stuff (built a shed all by myself, no plans, install appliances, garage door openers, fix dry walls) but when it comes to the cars I am little bit shy. But I am trying to change that.

They shove so much stuff into small places, it scares me sometimes, but I got the haynes manuals for both cars and trying to tinker with them.

Good luck with it, once you find the cable, it should be a breeze. Take some pictures for the next soul who has to do it if you wish ...

[Garrett]

Thanks again Carcopguy, your instructions were right on target.  It was a breeze to hook up once I found that little light green wire.  It was only about six inches long and taped up to the wiring harness.  But it was right where you said it would be so it was not too hard to find.  After that is was just a simple wiring job.  And best of all when it was all said and done the brake light actually works.  Thanks again.

[copcarguy]

No prob Garrett!! That's what we're all here for... I'm glad it worked out so well. It's not very often that all these "useless facts" stuffed in my brain are called upon. :rolleyes: Glad I was of some help. How 'bout a pic of that new cap with the brake light on?? :p
 
 
PS - check out my webshots page under my profile and go to the "My Toys" and "Our New 2003 Fords" sections and you will see how many different times I have had to hook up that wire.  LOL!