How To: Slow Down Sequential Tail Light Rate
 

I installed the WebElectric Products sequential tail light kit for my 2004 GT and am very pleased with the product. I got the STS-1M, splice-in kit because I have experience with electronics. No soldering is required with this kit - comes with quick-splice and wire nuts. Their instructions are very straight forward with pictures, so I'm not going to explain how to install the kit here. Visit their website for install instructions...

http://www.webelectricproducts.com/

Once I installed the kit, the blinks seemed too fast and I read similar complains on the forum with no real solution. Three blinks now need to flash in the time one happened before. Here is a video of my lights before...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...Mustang041.jpg

This does not have to do with the kit, but the actual turn signal flasher module under the dash. The stock rate is about 80 flashes per minute. I did find a modified flasher module online for $25 you can buy to slow down the rate, but my fix is for $1.19. Maybe I should modify and sell them. :)

*This mod requires basic knowledge of electronics and how to solder!

1) First find the turn signal flasher module. It is located under the driver's side dash above/to the right of the gas pedal. It is clipped on the medal structure of the center console. Turn on your signals and listen for it. Mine was yellow...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...Mustang036.jpg

2) Pull it down and unplug it from the wire harness. Now you will need to get the electronics out of the case. I just used a couple small straight screwdrivers and needle nose pliers to gentle pull it out.

3) The stock flasher has a 3.3 uf capacitor. This is what determines the flash rate. The more capacitance, the slower the rate - so we need to add another capacitor.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...Mustang037.jpg

4) All you have to do is install a 1uf electrolytic capacitor across the 3.3uf cap that's already there. That will slow it down nicely. I found a 1uf capacitor at Radio Shack for $1.19. Just take the new capacitor and place it on top the existing one. Make sure the direction of the writing matches. With it installed like this it will fit perfectly into the case.

-You could also take the 3.3uf cap out and install a higher capacitance capacitor in its place but this would require soldering directly onto the computer chip board. Not sure what number you would need either. 4.3uf?

5) Cut the leads to the proper length so you can wrap the 1 cap leads carefully around the leads of the 3.3 cap a time or two with a small pair of pliers. Make sure the leads are not touching any wires or metal! After you are happy with how it is mounted, just solder the leads together. Should look like this...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...Mustang038.jpg

6) Push the module back into the yellow case, plug it back in, slide it onto the mount under the dash and enjoy your new flash rate. I think it makes the modification way more noticeable. It now flashes about 62 times per minute...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...Mustang042.jpg

*This will also slow down the front turn signal rate and the rate at which the first sequence of the brake light application comes on. I tested it and still seems safe - use your own judgment on this.

I would like to thank Lawrence from WebElectric Products for the quality kit and for answering my questions about this modification. He responded to my emails very fast and told me which capacitor I would need. Thanks again!

Well written my friend
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Pretty cool write-up bro-Namath!

Good write-up!

The nearest standard value for a single capacitor would be 4.7μF, this would get the blink rate down to 56/minute or so.

One comment--the fundamental property of capacitors is capacitance, not resistance...

Thanks guys. I hope it helps a couple people out.

cliffyk - yes you are right it is capacitance, measured in farads. These particular ones are in microFarads (uF).

Not to bust your chops, just curious, why did you use the term resistance throughout the article?

Yeah, I was wondering if I had been doing it wrong all these years too ;)

But really, great write up guy! I'll break out the soldering iron this weekend and fix mine

Resistance is just a more common term that I think of when dealing with electrical current. I do believe resistors and capacitors gets confused for each other quite often too. My bad, it has been fixed. :icon_toast:

Cool... The write-up was done so well, why not make it perfect...

i've always wondered how to do this. thanks.

i might even split open my sequential kit since i was kinda unhappy with how quickly that is too.