Gm's "new" Brake Light Nearly Got Me Killed

[NathanL]

So I went to town tonight to pick up a few things. Going down a hill where I always see deer - a pretty steep hill...I had been going about 70mph and I was riding the brake down the hill going about 50mph...18 wheeler came up behind me and had to pass me to keep from hitting me.

 

This new brake light where if you step as hard as you want on the brake and then let off a micro inch and it goes off SUCKS. I've already had a few close calls, but tonight was the first time I was going downhill for so long with the brake on.

 

For those not aware - the new body style trucks if you press on the brake and then let off the tiniest bit - the brake light at the back of the truck stays OFF till you let off entirely and repress on the brake.

[jrrod2004]

same with the GMT-800s, mine does the exact same thing at the light at night......

[NathanL]

I don't know how you've lived this long then. I rarely rarely drive this vehicle at night. The other person in the vehicle pretty much said the thing - this ain't worth a d**n - scared the hell out of us. I've read others complain about it on here but after this we went down a dirt road looking at it and seeing how bad it is - scares me.

[minibike132]

Really (sniff sniff) smelling a recall. I'm going to have to look at one of them tomorrow, I hadn't noticed.

[asilverblazer]

I just find that the off postion is a little too low. Allowing for a lot of brake to be applied while the lights are off.

[giant96]

Can we do a petition or something of the sort? I noticed this from day 1..its scary and I always have the fear of being rear ended

[svensk]

shame on the 18 wheeler for riding your ass. Shouldn't be a problem if people keep a safe distance.

[hubbycap]

After reading this I checked mine out. Brake light illuminates quickly and does go out before the pedal is fully up but I could depress further and illuminate again without fully releasing pedal pressure. What was wrong with a simple momentary on brake switch?

 

I did also find it queer that the brake lights do not work with the ignition off. First vehicle I can recollect ever set up that way.

[minibike132]

Can we do a petition or something of the sort? I noticed this from day 1..its scary and I always have the fear of being rear ended

Try view new posts and go to the recall site 96vette posted. Thats the agency that gets the recall ball rollin.

[jmcycle]

Hmm, interesting. My 07 doesn't do this.

[minibike132]

Well I did a little checking( looks like it's back to the class room for me, they just never stop throwing new stuff at us) looking at the diagrams the brake input is sending signals to the trans module, ecm and pto if equiped. Just a quick look through module descriptions i can see pto inhibit on brake app and active fuel management uses it as well, I'm going to stop talking till I find the classes needed, but I can see some need for key on only and why it cuts off brake signal when you let off. However they should still be running seperate circuits or 2 sensors, one dedicated to lights one to everything else(just my thought).

[Zembonez]

What was wrong with a simple momentary on brake switch?

Of all of the "complaints" I see talked about in here about GMT900 trucks.. THIS one has my attention. I don't think it is safe for the brake lights to go off ANYTIME I have the brake depressed... Key on, Key off, Moon in the third phase... doesn't matter.

 

Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio Tonight Fred. A little taste of Italy

[hubbycap]

I see that the situation of partial brake application without brake light illumination exists. I could not duplicate as severe a level of failure that NathanL described above on my own truck, but I am now uneasy about how well my intentions are being signaled to my rear. As sparkstech remarked, this is an item that should be a surefire mechanical action using tried-and-true low-technology proven over decades. NOT fly-by-wire computer decisions.

 

I took a few minutes and filed a complaint at the site that sparkstech mentioned.

 

Slumming it tonite Jim, Sutter Home Zinfandel. Cleaning out leftovers from New Years.

[minibike132]

Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio Tonight Fred. A little taste of Italy

 

Miller lite a little taste of Milwaukee.

[ThoseDarnKids]

I find myself constantly looking in my rearview mirror, looking for that 3rd brake light reflection on the tailgate, just curious if it's even on sometimes.

 

This is just another one of those things where you wonder, "what the hell were they thinking?" This is high atop my list of things I hate about my truck.