illegal sequentials??
 

so i thought itd be cool to show some of my buddies the new sequential tail lights i got. for some reason they werent too impressed, but that doesnt matter i love them and thats all that matters. but they were goin on sayin how they are illegal and i can get fined for it and stuff. are they just really really REALLY jealous? or can i actually get pulled over. i live in PA btw

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

F*ck your buddies! They're full of sh!t. Go get some new friends.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Er, don't do that... might still be illegal in various states... Not to mention akward...[&:]

Generally speaking, the ones I have seen are DOT approved, so barring over zealous state/local laws are legal...

I jokingly debated flashing lights not sequential to keep people from rear-ending me - I seem to be invisible when stopped in any color/make of car...

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

so..are they actually illegal?

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I wouldn't think so, but I don't live in PA.

I'd thinking your friends are just haters.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Don't know if they are illegal, you would need to look at the laws in your state/city. The older cougers (60's or 70's) use to have them also and they were stock (correct me if wrong).

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I live in VA, but I have driven through PA lots of times, past lots of cops and never had a problem in either state. I think it would be wierd if they had a law specifically written for sequential turn signals, since very few cars actually have 3 tailights in a row like the Mustang does. Plus, lots of people on this forum have sequentials and I haven't seen a single "I got pulled over for sequentials post" yet. And people post that kind of stuff all the time (for tint, exhaust, etc.)

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

o....i guess my friends=pony haters...o well....they look insanely bad @$$ thats all that matters!!

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Heres the sequential tail story as I know it from thunderbird clubs/books.

Ford, in 1964, wanted to put sequential tail lights on their new 1964 T-bird. They couldent get DOT approval in time for the 1964 model year so they put the idea on hold till 1965.

They finally recieved DOT approval for the 1965 model year and sequentials were used for the first time on the 1965 thunderbird. That was the original application before the shelby and other ford cars used them.

So to my knowledge they are perfectly legal, cool and retro as hell, as yes, many are jealous.

Ford got them DOT approved back then. Now whether chaser lights are legal, that would be up for questioning. But if a cop ever stops you for your sequentials, just site the fact that ford had them DOT approved way back in 1965 and they were used on a few hundred thousand or more cars in the mid-late 60's.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

This is from the Texas State Inspection Laws.............Hopefuly they don`t mind the reprint for informations sake..............

read #3 especially. =0)




20.29 Turn Signal Lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall be equipped with electrical turn signal lamps, except that passenger cars and trucks less than 80 inches in width and manufactured or assembled prior to the model year 1960 need not be equipped with electrical turn signal lamps.


If the bed, body, cab, load, and any other equipment on a vehicle or combination of vehicles exceeds 24 inches or more to the left of the center of the top of the steering post in the same horizontal plane (that is, as high as the center of the top of the steering post) or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load exceeds 14 feet, then turn signal lamps are required, even though a hand and arm signal can be seen and the vehicle was manufactured or assembled prior to model year 1960.


NOTE: Required turn signal lamps must be visible to the front and to the rear of the vehicle.


1. Electric turn signal lamp types:


a. Single-faced units.


b. Double-faced units.


c. Arrow-faced units.


d. Kits designed to be used in conjunction with the parking light assembly.


2. Electric turn signal lamp flashers. All open-faced and arrow-type turn signal lamps must flash on and off in order to clearly indicate an intention to turn.


Turn signal lamps are required on those vehicles manufactured with a right-hand (steering wheel) drive, regardless of model year.


A single lamp (large double-faced unit) on each side of a truck-tractor, which is visible to the front and rear, will suffice for turn signal lamps.


3. Turn signal lamp mounting. The lamps showing to the front shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signalling, shall emit a white or amber light or any shade of light between white and amber.


The lamps showing to the rear shall be mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and, when signalling, shall emit a red or amber light or any shade of color between red and amber.


Turn signal lamps on vehicles 80 inches or more in overall width shall be visible from a distance of not less than 500 feet to the front and rear in normal sunlight.


Turn signal lamps may, but need not, be incorporated in other lamps on the vehicle.


Turn signal lamps shall indicate an intention to turn by flashing lamps showing to the front and rear of a vehicle. On a combination of vehicles, turn signal lamps shall indicate an intention to turn by flashing lamps to that side of the vehicle or combination toward which the turn is to be made.


Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds are not required to be equipped with turn signal lamps.


Semaphore or mechanical arm devices are not acceptable as turn signal lamps.


4. Inspection Procedure. Check operation and condition visually.


5. Inspect for and reject if:


a. Lamps are required and not present.


b. Device is not securely mounted or properly located on the vehicle.


c. Device is not of a type meeting Department standards.


d. Lamp lens is discolored or missing.


e. Wiring insulation is worn, rubbed bare, or shows any evidence of burning, short circuiting, or poor electrical connections.


f. Switch is not convenient to driver or indicator light does not operate.


g. Signal shows any color other than white or amber to the front, or signal shows any color other than red or amber to the rear.


h. Signal does not flash or is not operating properly.


i. Signal is not clearly visible to the front and to the rear of the vehicle.


j. Lens is cracked or broken to the extent that a portion of the lens is missing and/or separated, permitting light from the bulb to emit through the crack or break.


NOTE: Selector switch must lock in proper turn position when applied but need not cancel automatically.


NOTE: Lamp lenses cannot be repaired with repair tape or repair kit.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I have the CDC sequentials. It's not the turn signals I'm worried about, I'm worried that the brake light sequence might be illegal. Although I haven't been able to find anything that says they are.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

This is the Texas Inspection criteria.....pretty much the same

20.26 Stop Lamp. Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer shall be equipped with two or more stop lamps, except that passenger cars and trucks manufactured or assembled prior to the model year 1960 shall be equipped with at least one stop lamp.


At least two stop lamps are required on all motor vehicles, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers, except that at least one stop lamp is required on all motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and all 1959 model year and earlier passenger cars and trucks.


A stop lamp must emit a red or amber light, or any shade of color between red and amber, and be visible from a distance of not less than 300 feet to the rear in normal sunlight. The stop lamp shall be actuated upon application of the service (foot) brake and which may, but need not, be incorporated with one or more other rear lamps.


Stop lamp lens must be of a type meeting Department of Public Safety standards.


1. Inspection Procedure. Check operation and condition visually.


2. Inspect for and reject if:


a. Required lamp or lamps are not present.


b. Lamp is not securely mounted to the vehicle.


c. Lamp does not emit a red or amber light which is actuated on application of the service (foot) brake.


d. Lamp is not visible from a minimum distance of 300 feet to the rear of the vehicle to which it is attached.


e. Lamp lens is painted, missing, discolored, or does not fit properly.


f. Wiring is shoddy or electrical connections are poor.


g. Lamp projects a glaring or a dazzling light.


h. Lamp is not mounted on rear of vehicle.

i. Lens is cracked or broken to the extent that a portion of the lens is missing and/or separated, permitting light from the bulb to emit through the crack or break.


NOTE: Lamp lenses cannot be repaired with repair tape or repair kit.



So in closing....I would not worry about it one bit , unless they <or whomever gives you any grief about them> can show you in Black and White what exactly is Illegal about them.

Carry on...............

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

+1

That is a concern of mine as well. I might eliminate the brake sequencing.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Rather than listen to us blather on about DOT approval with no knowledge whatesoever of PA and local laws in your area it seems like you have 2 choices:

1. install them and then drive around until you find a police car... pull along side, rev the engine a bit and then when the light changes, floor it... when he pulls you over ask him if the lights are ok?

2. pick up the phone and call the local police office (not 911 - look them up in the phone book)...

They won't bite I promise...

We have a canine officer in the family - he does bite, but then he does not answer the phone at the front desk...

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Fyi

http://www.sequentialtaillights.com/mustfaq.html#FAQ_2

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

My take on this is that they are legal. I have seen city vehicles such as fire engines with turn signals that have a square, square, then an arrow shaped light sequential.
However, the brake lights should not be sequential in my opinion. When you hit the brakes, all the lights should turn on at once, not sequence from the middle outward. I wired mine to be sequential then added the wiring to make the lights turn on at once when braking.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Sounds like it's a big - maybe. Your Judge Jredd just may not know either, making your day less desireable - right or wrong.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I live in PA and I have seen two mustangs with the sequential taillights and around where I live everyone with a motorcycle has them. I would say go for it. Unless you either really piss a cop off or you live in an area where the cops have nothing better to do, I really dont think you will have any problems.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Some cars have a stock third brake light that flashes already. I've seen some cars and trucks recently that the third brake light in the rear window flashes when coming to a stop, or just anytime they apply the brakes. Apparently that isn't illegal, so I don't see why sequential tail lights would be. If anything they just get someone's attention MORE.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

your friends need some haterade because they are being haters!

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I live / drive around St. Louis, Missouri.

LOTS of police have seen my Seq's - - never had one pull me over.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Not illegal.....as long as its red and works and or blinks u will have no problems

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I'm a Deputy Sheriff in Texas, so this really only applies for the guys in Tx. The turn light sequencer is legal in this State, however the tail light sequencer is "not legal" if the entire light goes out and starts sequencing again while braking. At least one light has to be continously on while braking, the other two bulbs can sequence all they want. The turn lights can sequence all they want while turning or indicating a lane change as long as you leave them on until the turn or lane change is completed. Also make sure you turn them on 100 feet before the turn and leave them on continously through the turn. People get stopped all the time for just flicking the light on for a few second while making a lane change on the roadway. Texas law requires that you leave the turn signal on until you are completely in the lane you changed into. As far as PA., go to Findlaw.com choose your State and do a search on it. WolMan..

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I'm from PA as well. They're legal.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Well couldn't you easily wire the third brake light to stay on? What does it do when the tail lights are sequencing?

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

When the brake is pressed the lights sequence once and stay lit, all 3 fo them. They do not continuously pulse when the brake is being applied, only when the emergency flashers are on. However when the blinker is on they sequence over and over same as the E flashers. As far as the third brake light, it always stays constantly on. It is untouched by the sequence kit.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

If they only sequence once, then stay on then your fine. If they dont, then your in violation. As far as the third brake light. Texas Law doesnt even require the third "middle light", Texas requires that you have an individual brake light on each corner of the vehicle. I dont have any of these lights so I dont know if they can be hard wired for just one of them to stay on, according to the post above, if they only sequence once and at least one light stays on during the sequence, than its completely legal in Texas.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

When you get your brake sequencing eliminated, let us know how.
Thats been the 100 thousand dollar question.:D:D:D

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Thanks for the heads up from someone who knows. I'll be on the lane change
signals a lot earlier now. I usually let them flash about 4 times when changing lanes.
Twice before changing and off as soon as I am in the other lane.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

+1

My thoughts, exactly.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

your friends = haters

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

We have them on our Fire Engine. Your fine.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Get new "friends"

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I have them and live in Maryland. No problems so far and I have used them with cops behind me.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Ive had mine on for a few months and so far no problems here in cincy

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

For what it's worth I was stopped about a month ago for speeding in Michigan.It was a speed trap on a frewaythe cop caught up to me and lit me up.I was in the left lane of the freeway.I signaled to pull off onto the shoulder on the right.When I reached the shoulder I obviuosly put on the brakes.I have CDC seq lights myself.As he walked up to the car he asked me to hit the brakes in which I did and then he asked me to release the brake pedal in which I did as well.He said OK and never mentioned them again.I'm certain he was looking at the lights to make sure they met all standards.I was ticketed for speeding and was on my way.

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

I don't have the time to sort through all the blah, blah, blah but maybe you can get a definite answer here:

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/vehicle_code/index.shtml

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Kind of off topic but anyone know a good compnay to buy sequentials from?

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

Good info Praztec..the answer to the OP's question is in the article

RE: illegal sequentials??
 

meter4it.com