01 Pathfinder: Third brake light flashes, how to turn it off?

Rota · Sep 9th, 2007, 06:37 PM

Hello everyone. This is my first post on this forum as I have just bought a beautiful 4WD 2001 Pathfinder SE. I absolutely love the truck and can tell it's going to treat me well for years to come.

The only thing that bothers me with it is that for some reason when I press the brake, the third brake light flashes for a good 10 seconds before staying solid. This is very annoying and I was wondering if it's common on all 2001 Pathfinders, or if the previous owner installed it. If there is a fix for this, I'd really love to hear it.

Thanks! I'll get some pictures up of my truck within the week.

smj999smj · Sep 10th, 2007, 02:39 AM

It wasn't a standard feature on the '01, but it's possible that someone added this feature. Whether they installed a module somewhere to add the feature or it's built into the lamp, I can't tell you. The idea is that it is more likely to catch a person's attention that is riding behind you. Mercedes in Europe is using what they call "Adaptive Tail Lights" which is similar, but in their version all of the brake lamps flash if the vehicle is brought to a stop from a very high speed. I know initially this system didn't meet Federal regulations on lighting, but I'm not sure if this has been revised. I have seen a few SUV's with the feature, though.

**88pathoffroad** · Sep 10th, 2007, 12:17 PM

All the new Nissans from my local dealership have that feature. It's a safety provision for people that aren't paying attention to the person in front of them. I agree, it's annoying.

smj999smj · Sep 10th, 2007, 12:21 PM

Annoying, yes...but you gotta admit it does accomplish its task of getting your attention. Think of them as the nagging wives of the third brake lamp world!

Rota · Sep 11th, 2007, 01:09 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to look around more and follow the wires as far as I can and see if I can find anything reversible.

2000one · Sep 12th, 2007, 12:53 AM

Mercedes in Europe is using what they call "Adaptive Tail Lights" which is similar, but in their version all of the brake lamps flash if the vehicle is brought to a stop from a very high speed.

Theres also another feature (not sure which make) where it measures the time it takes you when you take your foot off the accelerator, and press the brakes. If you press it fast enough, your hazards will flash for a couple of seconds. Thats pretty neat. Before I saw that being used... whenever I had a need to slam my brakes, I quickly reach for the hazards and it helps the person behind me with their reaction times. When I got into an unfamiliar car and tried the same reflex, I couldn't find it fast enough.. lol. That's a no, no!