OldBlackWater
Jun 03, 2015Explorer
Ford C-Max toad brake indicator light
I recently installed a ReadyBrake to prepare my 2013 Ford C-Max Energi as a toad, and to make sure it's working properly and to be alerted if the brakes are being applied when they're not supposed to be, I'm trying to figure out a way to rig up a relay that switches on a light on the dashboard of my motorhome when the toad brakes are pressed hard enough to activate the brake lights.
Here's my problem: I did a little experiment to make sure the C-Max's brake lights will still be active while towing by putting it into accessory mode and in neutral, and when I went back to check after about 30 minutes, the brake lights were inactive. I pulled on the ReadyBrake cable to activate the brakes, and the brake pedal went down, but there were no brake lights. If I can't get brake light power to activate the relay, my indicator light will not work.
Has anyone been able to rig up a toad brake indicator light on a C-Max or other similar vehicle that deactivates the brake lights while being towed?
Tangent question: I also noticed that my C-Max was no longer in accessory mode after 30 minutes; it appeared to be off. Instead of leaving it in accessory mode, could I just leave it off since it shuts off by itself eventually anyway? What do other Ford plug-in hybrid owners do?
Here's my problem: I did a little experiment to make sure the C-Max's brake lights will still be active while towing by putting it into accessory mode and in neutral, and when I went back to check after about 30 minutes, the brake lights were inactive. I pulled on the ReadyBrake cable to activate the brakes, and the brake pedal went down, but there were no brake lights. If I can't get brake light power to activate the relay, my indicator light will not work.
Has anyone been able to rig up a toad brake indicator light on a C-Max or other similar vehicle that deactivates the brake lights while being towed?
Tangent question: I also noticed that my C-Max was no longer in accessory mode after 30 minutes; it appeared to be off. Instead of leaving it in accessory mode, could I just leave it off since it shuts off by itself eventually anyway? What do other Ford plug-in hybrid owners do?