DIY: Kahtec smart stop blinker install
 

Just finished off installing the Kahtec smart stop relay for my third brake light that is located in the stock spoiler.

I first followed Simoto1 write up on how to remove the rear third brake light, although for this mod you do not need to remove the third brake light. I merely tapped into the existing two wires once the rear hatch lid trim was removed. I followed his write up on removing the rear hatch lid trim plus added my own little tidbits on the way with images also.

I first undid the two 10mm bolts on either side of the trim. Driver side located here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_125315.jpg


I then used a plastic vinyl applicator to live the driver side corner up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_125321.jpg

Working my around with the applicator and fingers to lift the lower orange clips off the tail gate.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_125341.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_125346.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_125447.jpg

Then you will be able to look down and see other clips inside trim. The white ones, whatever they are called..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_125851.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_125708.jpg

I placed my hands down the gap and applied a little pressure to release the white clips. Here is the part removed off the car.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_130004.jpg

And this is what the tailgate will look like with trim removed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_130013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_130214.jpg


I then removed the harness connecting to the third brake light assembly. I slightly trimmed the plastic sheathing on it to give me some access to tap into the two wires. One wire is black ( ground) and the other is turqioise? ( live).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_140704.jpg

I tapped the red wire from the Kahtec to the turquioise/ green live wire coming from the cars harness. I then tapped the blue wire from the Kahtec to the turquoise green live wire closer to the harness plug that goes into the brake light.

The black wire from the Kahtec was tapped into the black wire of the harness that also leads to the third brake light. I also used some heat shrink wrap.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_140926.jpg

All done, I used some 3m double sided tape to affix the control unit to the tailgate.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_143848.jpg

Since I was alone, I used my friend to help me test the unit :roflpuke2:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...028_144142.jpg


Installation of the trim is reverse of removal. Just make sure the orange clips are firmly positioned in the trim first before lining it up. I put the edges back first, used a little blow from my hands to get them to clip in, then banged a littled on the area closer to the glass to get the white clips in. Checked for gaps and play. All OK.