I have a 2013 Focus SE that I will be towing. I also have a Roadmaster Even Brake that will be used.However, the Focus's brake lights do not illuminate or send a signal to the Even Brake without the key being in the on position. Roadmaster sells an adaptor to get a signal to the Even Brake but that doesn't solve the problem of not having the Focus's pedal actuated brake lights.Has anybody run into this problem and if so, how did you get around it?

Are you certain that the Focus's brake lights don't illuminate, when you hit the brakes with ignition not on? I coulda swore I read somewhere its required by law to work that way, even with ignition off? And, all our vehicles work that way, including our 2013 Ford Fusion.Get in the Focus, and hit the brake pedal a few times with ignition off, see if the brake lights don't turn on. I bet they do. And, if they don't, I'd wonder if something is wrong that you may want your Ford dealer to look at.

I'm absolutely certain. In fact, other than the hazard blinkers and interior lights, none of the lights illuminate unless the ignition is in the "ON" position.I had the same issues with my 2002 Cougar but that had an easy workaround.

rmmpe wrote:I have a 2013 Focus SE that I will be towing. I also have a Roadmaster Even Brake that will be used.However, the Focus's brake lights do not illuminate or send a signal to the Even Brake without the key being in the on position. Roadmaster sells an adaptor to get a signal to the Even Brake but that doesn't solve the problem of not having the Focus's pedal actuated brake lights.Has anybody run into this problem and if so, how did you get around it?I encountered the same thing when setting up my Silverado with the Even Brake.It's been several years and I don't remember the details of how we overcame it, but we tied into a hot wire prior to the stop light switch, installed a one way diode and a switch to control the power source.

FWIW, .. you might want to read the Evenbrake instructions. When using the Evenbrake the brake lights are NOT triggered by the toad brake switch, but by the brake switch of the MH. The Evenbrake is proportional, and won't always activate under light braking, so the taillight need to be activated by the MH under those circumstances. The taillights and brake/turn signal lights are all controlled by the MH and connected through the trailer plug next to the MH hitch.The Evenbrake has a remote transmitter that sends a signal to the MH dash unit telling it when the Evenbrake is active. The remote is triggered by the toad brake light switch in order to tell you when the brakes are active, but not the lights.Roadmaster has very thorough wiring instructions outlining this installation including the use of diodes to prevent feedback of signals.Properly wired you'll like how it works ...

Corkey,I understand that. But, the brake light switch must have power in order to send the signal to the Even Brake when the pedal is pressed. Without the ignition in the "ON" position, there is no power to the Focus's brake switch.I have an entirely seperate Stop/Turn/Tail light circuit for normal running.

2013 Ford Focus brake light signal to Even Brake

havasu
Explorer
Jul 06, 2013
I am having similar problems with my Smart car, no brake lights unless ignition on - Roadmaster suggest putting it up on a ramp, drilling holes and installing a separate switch - way too expensive an option.

The issue with the way I have wired it which is MH -> SMART lights with a tap out to the ICX, is that I can initialize the self test mode by keeping the Smart ignition on while it tests itself and then returning the key to off for the tow.

However the remote unit indicates all is well until I touch the MH brakes - then I get a warning/error saying that the brake lights are on but the EB isn't braking.

So I picked up a microswitch which I am attaching to the body of the EB with a cord that goes to the part that attaches to the brake pedal - when the brake pedal is pushed by the EB it pulls the cord that closes the contacts on the switch which is fuse wired to 12V - fools the EB into believing that it has fully operational lights.

I have no idea why they designed the software to disable the EB just because the brake lights are not working - in 99% of cases, the toad brake lights are operated by the MH anyway.
rmmpe
Explorer
Jun 28, 2013
I installed a Roadmaster switch kit and it worked very well during our recent 5K trip.
rmmpe
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
rmmpe wrote:
Corkey,

Thanks for the replies.

I have my manual and have installed the Even Brake on 2 other vehicles (2002 Cougar and 2007 Edge), both of which required a signal to the ICX controller from the brake light switch (or from a brake light lead).
There is no problem connecting the Even Brake.
The problem lies with the point of no 12 VDC to the brake light switch unless the ignition is turned to "ON".

In truth, I'm trying to work around the ignition switch to get power to the brake light switch without modifying the circuit(s) of a brand-new car (the plug on the switch has 4 leads and is very difficult to get to).
rmmpe
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
Corkey,
I have my manual and have installed the Even Brake on 2 other vehicles (2002 Cougar and 2007 Edge), both of which required a signal to the ICX controller from the brake light switch (or from a brake light lead).
There is no problem connecting the Even Brake.
The problem lies with the point of no 12 VDC to the brake light switch unless the ignition is turned to "ON".

In truth, I'm trying to work around the ignition switch to get power to the brake light switch without modifying the circuit(s) of a brand-new car (the plug on the switch has 4 leads and is very difficult to get to).
Corkey05
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
I found my manual in PDF format and page 2 has some information that could be helpful. I can send you the manual I have if you need it, ... send me an off-line (PM) and we'll hook up.
Corkey05
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
rmmpe wrote:
Corkey,
I understand that. But, the brake light switch must have power in order to send the signal to the Even Brake when the pedal is pressed. Without the ignition in the "ON" position, there is no power to the Focus's brake switch.
I have an entirely seperate Stop/Turn/Tail light circuit for normal running.
Gotcha, ...

I have my instructions offsite and can't get to them until tomorrow. There must be something in there addressing the switch, but I won't attempt a guess. When I get my hands on the installation manual I'll look and see what mine says.
rmmpe
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
Corkey,
I understand that. But, the brake light switch must have power in order to send the signal to the Even Brake when the pedal is pressed. Without the ignition in the "ON" position, there is no power to the Focus's brake switch.
I have an entirely seperate Stop/Turn/Tail light circuit for normal running.
Corkey05
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
FWIW, .. you might want to read the Evenbrake instructions.

When using the Evenbrake the brake lights are NOT triggered by the toad brake switch, but by the brake switch of the MH. The Evenbrake is proportional, and won't always activate under light braking, so the taillight need to be activated by the MH under those circumstances. The taillights and brake/turn signal lights are all controlled by the MH and connected through the trailer plug next to the MH hitch.

The Evenbrake has a remote transmitter that sends a signal to the MH dash unit telling it when the Evenbrake is active. The remote is triggered by the toad brake light switch in order to tell you when the brakes are active, but not the lights.

Roadmaster has very thorough wiring instructions outlining this installation including the use of diodes to prevent feedback of signals.

Properly wired you'll like how it works ...
hipower
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
rmmpe wrote:
I have a 2013 Focus SE that I will be towing. I also have a Roadmaster Even Brake that will be used.
However, the Focus's brake lights do not illuminate or send a signal to the Even Brake without the key being in the on position. Roadmaster sells an adaptor to get a signal to the Even Brake but that doesn't solve the problem of not having the Focus's pedal actuated brake lights.
Has anybody run into this problem and if so, how did you get around it?

I encountered the same thing when setting up my Silverado with the Even Brake.

It's been several years and I don't remember the details of how we overcame it, but we tied into a hot wire prior to the stop light switch, installed a one way diode and a switch to control the power source.
rmmpe
Explorer
Apr 17, 2013
I'm absolutely certain. In fact, other than the hazard blinkers and interior lights, none of the lights illuminate unless the ignition is in the "ON" position.
I had the same issues with my 2002 Cougar but that had an easy workaround.

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2013 Ford Focus brake light signal to Even Brake

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