Ok, that’s crazy (+ DOTS)

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux) 07/14/2020 at 18:04 • Filed to: Never tell me the odds

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First, the classic Pontiac I just spotted.

You may remember my hobby/obsession: letting people know when their brake lights aren’t working.

I’ve tried not to burden Oppo with those stories lately because frankly they’re not all that interesting.

This evening though things got weird.

Within the span of 5 minutes I let two different drivers know that their brake lights were operating backwards. On when they were driving at speed, off when braking.

Two.

How in the hell does that happen? What are the odds?

MM54 > Just Jeepin' 07/14/2020 at 18:06

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They must have been on the way home from the same shop

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Just Jeepin' 07/14/2020 at 18:09

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Yesterday I was behind a the last gen Buick Regal. They hit the brakes, their turn signals went on. I don’t even know how that would happen. Turn signals worked when signaling a turn, however.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Just Jeepin' 07/14/2020 at 18:11

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I saw a car with that a few months ago. Was really confused for a second when their brake lights went off but they started slowing down .

Just Jeepin' > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus 07/14/2020 at 18:12

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There’s a sad story about something similar. Guy wired up his trailer backwards so it braked when he hit the turn signal and flashed the signal when he braked .

Approached an intersection, tried to stop, brakes on the trailer didn’t engage and he killed someone.

Just Jeepin' > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 07/14/2020 at 18:13

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COVID keeps adding new symptoms. 

vondon302 > Just Jeepin' 07/14/2020 at 19:10

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I just saw that for the first time last week.

I thought at first their just always on but nope when they slowed down all 3 off.

Just Jeepin' > vondon302 07/14/2020 at 19:11

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See? COVID!

Aremmes > Just Jeepin' 07/14/2020 at 19:40

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I can imagine the light bulbs being installed the wrong way. Some bayonet mounts aren’t particularly sturdy.

If the center-mounted brake light was behaving the same way, though, that's a whole different can of beans. Maybe the brake pedal switch was wired incorrectly, or replaced with the wrong type.

Just Jeepin' > Aremmes 07/14/2020 at 19:47

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All three lights, both cars.

(Well, one of them had a burnt-out passenger-side bulb.)

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Just Jeepin' 07/14/2020 at 21:12

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Oddly enough, I informed a gentleman (term used loosely) that he only had one functioning taillight on his last gen Durango. He didn’t seem to give a shit.

I’m thankful MN doesn’t have smog testing, but basic safety checks on vehicles should be mandatory.

Just Jeepin' > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 07/14/2020 at 21:29

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It’s Sisyphean, and there are definitely no shortage of people who don’t care, but enough are grateful to make it worthwhile.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Just Jeepin' 07/14/2020 at 21:48

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Well put.