Hazard Lights

[rhm]

I posted this in the Fleetwood forum but didn't get any response. As it's really a chassis question, I thought I'd try here. This pertains to a 2004 Providence with a 350 Cummins.

This rig seems to have the system older cars once had (Fords?) where if the brake lights were on, the hazard lights wouldn't flash. I like to put my hazards on when approaching construction or other danger areas on the highway to alert those behind me, but if the brakes are on the lights on my coach don't flash.

It seems the retarder brake also activates the brake lights, so my hazards don't flash if I'm slowing with the retarder on, or using the hazards on mountain grades.

I'm sure this is something I'll have to live with, but I thought I'd float it out there to see if anyone has any suggestions. Maybe I could run a set of strobes in the back, or another set of flashers.

Any thoughts?

[J Walker]

Your hazard lights are what I call emergency flashers. My Freightliner works the way yours does. There is no flashing when the brake light is on. I assume that is because the flasher light and the brake light are the same thing. I had an interesting experience when I turned my exhaust brake switch light on with the flashers on. The exhaust brake wasn't activated just the switch was on. No flashers. Investigation showed that my brake light was coming on with exhaust brake switch being on while it should come on only when the exhaust brake activates. It took Freightliner some tech hours to find the problem. Fortunately it was free since I was at a Freightliner Owners Club rally.

[rhm]

Thanks for your response. The odd thing is I have separate brake and turn signals. My turn lights are amber. That's why I can't understand why they have it set this way.

[Pusherman]

Mine's the same way. Flashers won't work when brake lights on. It might be due to the towing relay setup converting amber/red lights to just red lights. Don't know for sure, but it does work this way. If you call 1-800-FTL-HELP, they may have a better explanation of why it works this way.