Always-hot wiring problem (question)

[Unleaded]

I’ve had an RSI Smartcap installed for a month or two with no issues at all until yesterday.

Suddenly the cap third taillight will come on and works as it should, but will not shut off. It remains lit even after key is removed from ignition, and all timed OEM lights have shut off (taillights, bed light, etc).

It is wired with an RSI-provided harness. This harness essentially just creates a “Y” off the plug directly behind/above the license plate. No electrical modifications to factory wiring have been added.

If I unplug the RSI taillight at the connector, and then plug it back in immediately, the light will still be on. However I left it unplugged overnight, plugged it back in this morning, and the light was off.

However when I opened a door, the light came on (as it should), and stayed on for an hour (until I unplugged it).

Harness and connections all look clean and secure. I’m not familiar enough with electrical problems to have many ideas…any thoughts would sure be welcomed.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I’ve had an RSI Smartcap installed for a month or two with no issues at all until yesterday.

Suddenly the cap third taillight will come on and works as it should, but will not shut off. It remains lit even after key is removed from ignition, and all timed OEM lights have shut off (taillights, bed light, etc).

It is wired with an RSI-provided harness. This harness essentially just creates a “Y” off the plug directly behind/above the license plate. No electrical modifications to factory wiring have been added.

If I unplug the RSI taillight at the connector, and then plug it back in immediately, the light will still be on. However I left it unplugged overnight, plugged it back in this morning, and the light was off.

However when I opened a door, the light came on (as it should), and stayed on for an hour (until I unplugged it).

Harness and connections all look clean and secure. I’m not familiar enough with electrical problems to have many ideas…any thoughts would sure be welcomed.

You’re saying the third taillight (brake light) is coming on when a door is opened? (The bold part of your quote here) That isn’t correct. It’s not wired properly.

There is a few threads on here about cap wiring. There is a pre terminated wire under the bed from the factory for a third brake light. It’s the easiest way.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Check this post

Post in thread 'Camper Shell compatibility'

Aug 29, 2024

Where is 3rd brake light and dome light feed? Need to wire my new to my truck with cap

White wire with purple tracer under the bed is the brake light feed. You have to drop the spare to get to them

• Rockcrawlindude

 

[Unleaded]

Check this post

Post in thread 'Camper Shell compatibility'

Aug 29, 2024

Where is 3rd brake light and dome light feed? Need to wire my new to my truck with cap

White wire with purple tracer under the bed is the brake light feed. You have to drop the spare to get to them

• Rockcrawlindude

Super helpful - much appreciated! And I didn’t do a great job explaining…the third (cap) light comes on as a marker light when the door is opened, just like the factory truck marker lights. When the brake is depressed it has a bright stage, matching the taillights/brake lights.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Super helpful - much appreciated! And I didn’t do a great job explaining…the third (cap) light comes on as a marker light when the door is opened, just like the factory truck marker lights. When the brake is depressed it has a bright stage, matching the taillights/brake lights.

I’ve never seen a high level brake light also used as a running light with a low/bright function, that’s interesting.

I think that would just cause more confusion to other drivers since it should just be a brake light. I think I would just wire up the bright/stop function and leave the low/running light not wired up.

Edit: are you in America? Perhaps I’m not savvy to laws and lighting where you are

 

[Unleaded]

I’ve never seen a high level brake light also used as a running light with a low/bright function, that’s interesting.

I think that would just cause more confusion to other drivers since it should just be a brake light. I think I would just wire up the bright/stop function and leave the low/running light not wired up.

Edit: are you in America? Perhaps I’m not savvy to laws and lighting where you are

Now that you mention it…I haven’t either. That’s how it’s been working…but maybe it’s not SUPPOSED to work that way…

Yep - I’m in Illinois, but these RSI caps are made in South Africa, as I understand it (although still should be US-spec). I’ve reached out to the vendor and the manufacturer to see if they have an answer. If not I’ll scrap the harness, and wire as you suggested.

 

[AH64ID]

I’ve never seen a high level brake light also used as a running light with a low/bright function, that’s interesting.

The F-150 Raptor uses the 3rd brake light as the clearance lights due to its width. I’ve not ever noticed a low/high difference and it’s stupid annoying. Just when I think Ram engineers need a kick to the face Ford goes and reminds me it could be worse.

 

[jsalbre]

The F-150 Raptor uses the 3rd brake light as the clearance lights due to its width. I’ve not ever noticed a low/high difference and it’s stupid annoying. Just when I think Ram engineers need a kick to the face Ford goes and reminds me it could be worse.

The Raptor 3rd brake light has 3 extra small LEDs in there to act as clearance lights. They should be pretty distinct from the brake light function.

 

[AH64ID]

The Raptor 3rd brake light has 3 extra small LEDs in there to act as clearance lights. They should be pretty distinct from the brake light function.

Should is right, but I’ve never noticed a difference on any of the raptors I’ve followed. The 3 lights are the same intensity with or without the brakes and there are no additional lights when braking. The 3 lights are bright and look like brake lights instead of clearance lights.

 

[jsalbre]

Should is right, but I’ve never noticed a difference on any of the raptors I’ve followed. The 3 lights are the same intensity with or without the brakes and there are no additional lights when braking. The 3 lights are bright and look like brake lights instead of clearance lights.

There’s a change in brightness, but I absolutely agree it’s a stupid design and not nearly noticeable enough. I think Ford played a bit too fast and loose with all of the marker light requirements/implementations on the Raptor.

 

[Unleaded]

To the credit of RSI, they believe it to be a faulty harness, and have already sent a replacement out. Once that arrives, it’ll be interesting to see what works, and how…

 

[Unleaded]

Just as an update to this thread: New wiring harness solved the problem, and the third brake light on the cap ONLY functions as a brake light now. As an aside, the plug behind the left rear taillight lens where the harness connects to the wiring on the cap was spattered pretty heavily with dried dirt. Makes me wonder if the plug got wet…I wrapped the new connection in rubber tape.