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Old 06-18-2015, 08:21 PM   #1
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3rd Brake Light issue

When I bought my Berk, half of the 3rd brake light (top center of rear) was burnt out. The dealer gave me a replacement light and I noticed that the replacement had 3 wires (brown, white & red).

When I removed the existing light from the back of the RV, I noticed that only the red & white leads of the light were connected. All 3 of the leads had quick connects attached to them, however the brown lead was not attached to any wire from the RV and there was no wire visible that it could connect to. Is this normal?
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Old 06-18-2015, 08:49 PM   #2
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Brown wiring to tail lamps is used for marker/parking lamp. The center high mount lamp used on your coach may also be used as a taillamp in some other application.


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Old 06-18-2015, 09:21 PM   #3
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I don't know if it was meant to be connected, because 2 of the 3 leads (red & white) are and the brown lead is not (nor can I see a lead to connect it too). Half of the brake light bar is burnt out; would that have anything to do with it?
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Old 06-19-2015, 10:33 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by DJP6371 View Post
I don't know if it was meant to be connected, because 2 of the 3 leads (red & white) are and the brown lead is not (nor can I see a lead to connect it too). Half of the brake light bar is burnt out; would that have anything to do with it?

As NV245 said that light is probably OEM'ed from a company that uses it in other applications where the brown wire is needed. I believe (IIRC) the headlamp enclosures on my coach were originally made for a Toyota pickup.

Look at the main rear lights on your coach. Mine (2011) look like they were originally intended for a Ford pickup truck, and that was probably their original use.

I would connect the red and the white and leave the brown just hanging loose. Then just check and see if both sides light up when the DW steps on the brake.

That high center light is ONLY for braking, AFAIK..... In fact, could possibly even be illegal to have them hooked into tail lights. Stranger things have happened!!

Just my $.02.... YMMV.

Boowho??
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Old 06-20-2015, 11:52 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by DJP6371 View Post
When I bought my Berk, half of the 3rd brake light (top center of rear) was burnt out. The dealer gave me a replacement light and I noticed that the replacement had 3 wires (brown, white & red).

When I removed the existing light from the back of the RV, I noticed that only the red & white leads of the light were connected. All 3 of the leads had quick connects attached to them, however the brown lead was not attached to any wire from the RV and there was no wire visible that it could connect to. Is this normal?
The light probably has multiple applications. All you are interested in is the brake. Hook it up as the old one was hooked up and test it. If the brake light works quit and don't worry about it.

Jim
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Old 08-11-2015, 05:48 AM   #6
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You guys were right...hooked up the two of the three wires and it worked fine! Thanks.


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