Brake Light Disconnect

[Spaaz9]

I recently purchased a GearBrake module (it flashes my brake lights whenever I slow down, be it rolling off the throttle, braking, or downshifting). They have a harness for the Spyder, but when I got it, I looked at the directions and realize they were for an RT. I have a 2012 RS. Still, I figured they knew more than me, so I looked where they said the harness should jumper in (under the left rear tupperware panel), but there was no connector that looked like the one they shipped. Now, I've previously installed TricLED lights, so I've done all my wiring work under the rear fender, and that IS where the individual connectors are for each tail light. Talking with GearBrake's support guy, he said that the RT has that too, however there was an issue with plugging the module into two separate connectors, so they looked farther upstream and found this large, single disconnect for the whole rear lights area. Does anyone know if there is a similar single disconnect for the rear lights on the RS, or is it just the individual connectors? I can't imagine that the lighting wiring would be that drastically different. I know there's more tupperware on the RT, but I'd hope something like this would be similar between the two.

Thanks in advance for your input. I'd like to get this installed today. It would just suck if it didn't work because of some issue with individual connectors

 

[Spaaz9]

Ok, so it looks like that disconnect is for the entire cargo area on the RT. So it's not just for the lighting. Maybe that's why it's different? Maybe? Sorta? Probably?

 

[DRYD3R]

Spaaz9, I understand your concerns as they are identical to my own when I received my GearBrake modulator back in March of this year.

Let me start off by stating that I have a 2013 ST-Limited and, like you, was expecting to make the necessary connections to the 2 discrete tail lamp harness connectors. I had discussed the suitability of the GearBrake harness with Jason Harrington of GearBrake who assured me it was fully compatible with the ST and ALL Spyder models and was currently being installed into all Spyders sold from their local Lexington, KY dealer. Like you, when the modulator arrived I saw the single large AMP connector and noted that the "generic" installation instructions seemed to reference the RT model.

Before contacting Jason at GearBrake again, I opted to pull the Tupperware off the back end of the bike and have a look for myself. Had to remove the Givi case mounting brackets from the ST as they prevent removal of both the left rear panel as well as the the rear swing arm fender. Turns out that there is no need to pull the left rear panel UNLESS you are trying to install the modulator on an RT. The connector needed does exist and can be located down low on the left side of the bike alongside a similar but slightly larger AMP connector in front of the swing arm mono-shock. It may be slightly easier to reach by removing the left rear panel, but as noted, can be reached by simply pulling the fender sealing the rear swing arm.

I was able to connect the included GearBrake harness into the appropriate connector (only 1 of the 2 connectors present in that location fit so there is no chance of making a wrong connection) and route the ~10" harness along some existing OEM harness wires. I opted to mount the GearBrake modulator horizontally along the left side of the frame spar just in front of the pillion switch using the supplied hook-and-loop tape connectors. I opted for this mounting location as I found there was insufficient room on the right side of frame spar due to the ST radio module being located on that side.

After all the investigations and disassembly, it really only took about 20 minutes to actually install and properly wire dress the module and harness. For what it's worth, the unit works flawlessly and really didn't need any sensitivity adjustment other than mounting parallel and level to ground.

Sorry I didn't take any picture when I did my install, but feel free to reply should you feel you need any additional information. From my understanding, the rear wiring harness is the same across the ST and RS models.

Good luck!

 

[Spaaz9]

I will take a look as soon as I get home this evening! Thanks so much for the info. Hopefully it's the same on the RS.

 

[Spaaz9]

I just got to this today, but the connector isn't there. The wiring either goes into the fuse box under the seat, or into the frame under the seat. No other directions.

 

[billybovine]

The wiring of a ST as compared to a RT there is almost no differences. In reality a ST is just a 2013 RT with different body work. Now the wiring for a RS is a completely different animal and there are very few similarities. From your description you are looking for connector C1C2. There is no such connector on a RS.

 

[Spaaz9]

Thanks! That answers the question then. Oh well, back to the manufacturer goes the GearBrake

 

[DRYD3R]

Sorry to seemingly mislead you, Spaaz9. Unfortunately, I was relaying the alleged wiring compatibility across all Spyder models as conveyed by Jason Harrington @ GearBrake. As I did find the needed connector, I mistakenly believed the information provided that all models utilized the same harness :banghead:.

After reading the details provided by Billybovine I looked at the Spyder parts fiche and compared the frame electrical harness between the ST and RS models. True to my historical (lurker) experience with any information provided by Billybovine, he is absolutely correct; the frame harnesses are completely different animals ST to RS. Per the fiche schematic, the connector I utilized is, indeed, PIC2 (8 pin) and appears to be utilized on ST and RT models. The RS model, however, DOES NOT have this connector and, instead, seems to utilize CIC1 (16 pin) to make the interconnect to the rear brake lights.

Again, I apologize for any misdirection or false hope I may have provided. If you are willing, you could contact Jason @ GearBrake and inform him of the incompatibility with the RS model. I suspect he would entertain the manufacture of the appropriate adapter to mate with the RS harness.

 

[MikeT]

Will the GearBrake Work IF???????

My '15 RT Limited has the following dealer installed 3rd party lights:
A. Custom Dynamics HMT ALL-IN-ONE Brake Light/Turn Signal Unit,
B. TricLED Safety Bundle where the front fender amber and red lights are opposite flashing turn signals to the stock turn signals, and
C. TricLed Mirror Turn Signals. These flash in sequence with the stock turn signals.
For some "strange" reason, my dealer did not sync the flashing rate at delivery. Thankfully I was able to find how to fix that on this forum. My worry is that I've got too many turn signal lights for the GearBrake to function correctly.
Thanks for your help.
Mike

 

[Spaaz9]

Sorry to seemingly mislead you, Spaaz9. Unfortunately, I was relaying the alleged wiring compatibility across all Spyder models as conveyed by Jason Harrington @ GearBrake. As I did find the needed connector, I mistakenly believed the information provided that all models utilized the same harness :banghead:.

After reading the details provided by Billybovine I looked at the Spyder parts fiche and compared the frame electrical harness between the ST and RS models. True to my historical (lurker) experience with any information provided by Billybovine, he is absolutely correct; the frame harnesses are completely different animals ST to RS. Per the fiche schematic, the connector I utilized is, indeed, PIC2 (8 pin) and appears to be utilized on ST and RT models. The RS model, however, DOES NOT have this connector and, instead, seems to utilize CIC1 (16 pin) to make the interconnect to the rear brake lights.

Again, I apologize for any misdirection or false hope I may have provided. If you are willing, you could contact Jason @ GearBrake and inform him of the incompatibility with the RS model. I suspect he would entertain the manufacture of the appropriate adapter to mate with the RS harness.

Yep, I've been in touch with Jason this entire time actually. He indicated that because there isn't a common connector for the RS lights, this won't work because of some issue sending the signal from the module down two wiring paths.