Manual Tail Light Override Switch - Has Anyone Done This?

I recently read that Steve McQueen had a manual tail light override switch installed in his 1976 Turbo "just in case" he needed it at night. "The Turbo didn't stay stock for long. The first change was a switch on the dash to knock out the taillights and brake lights in case of hot pursuit by law enforcement personnel." - http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/f...che-turbo.html I'm a pretty responsible driver and don't ever expect to need this but it'd be a nice feature to have if I ever did. If it's a simple wiring gig I'm up for adding this and using one of the empty switches on the dash to control it. If nothing else, for the nostalgia... Has anyone ever done this? If so, how? Is it illegal? (probably) Also, am I just asking for electrical trouble by doing a mod such as this? Thanks in advance. All input and opinions welcome.

Did this on my 83 mustang GT back in high school (late 80's). Had LEDS that would light up on the dash to let me know the lights were disabled (wouldn't want to drive in traffic with the lights off). Also did a manual switch on the backup lights. If someone was too close, put the backup lights on and rev the engine, they backed away quickly. In hindsight, pretty sillly but seemed cool at the time.

What's the point of this - so cops can't tell you're braking hard when you pass a speed trap?

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It would simultaneously disengage the tail lights and brake lights thus making the car more difficult to see if someone is pursuing you. Plus they would not be able to see if you hit the brakes to slow down to turn. Also, it would be a simple nod to McQueen. See, I don't like a lot of flash on my car. For the most part I like stock appearances. That said, I do like minor personalized details that make my car my car. I think it's a neat hidden option.

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Then comes the clothes line in the cabin which you pull on to release the gallon can of old engine oil and nails onto the road at the rear as you speed away from the cops haha.

Fantastic idea!

I'd also suggest hooking up a license plate switcher and keeping a scanner in your car so you know which roads to avoid during a pursuit situation. I'd also recommend the Hot Wheels color changing paint if you had to do a quick color change through a car wash in the event that the air patrols get involved.

You could add a CB and call yourself Bandit 1, 2, or 200, whatevers not in use. Hey go ahead and do it. Maybe you will leave it off one night and someone will accidentally smash into your stealth vehicle. Man thats cool. To save the trouble you could just use the e-brake for all braking and pretty much get the same effect. This has got to be the dumbest post Ive ever read on here. Congratulations.

Ah and the wolves begin to circle...

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Let me understand...you want validation from board members on ideas to break laws and gain an edge during a probable high speed chase? Possibly on the same roads that members are enjoying a car ride with their spouses and family. Grow up.

I am not seeking validation from anyone and I'm sure I'm not the first person to read the article and think, "Hmm, that's cool/neat/interesting". I guess I took a wrong turn by posting my thoughts here. I appreciate this forum and the people that make it up. I've learned a lot over the past year of ownership and I've met a lot of great people within the Porsche community. My apologies if I've offended anyone here. If a moderator feels it necessary to remove the thread because it's offensive/counterproductive then I understand. Again, this was not my intention. Good day.

For what it's worth the microswitch that activates the brake lights is right behind the pedal. You could probably just cut one of the wires and use those two leads to a disconnect switch that you could put anywhere, just a simple on/off. That would disable brake lights but not tail lights. If you wanted to disable tail lights you could look up which fuse used them, pull the fuse box out, and then wire a similar disconnect switch from there, assuming the tail lights have their own fuse which they probably don't. It's probably shared between a lot of lights. I think this would be dangerous on multiple levels and in no way recommend or support doing these things. I do however like poking the fire you have started. There are spare switch spots in the "horseshoe" trim around the radio. Forum members have been known to install "missile switches" and other humorous things onto them if you search for that.

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Bad idea. You will disable brake throttle override and cruise control off switch...

That is correct that all of the features of the brake microswitch would be disabled while you had the disconnect switch in the open position. Of course the brake throttle override's only purpose is to prevent well-to-do people from doing burnouts and left-foot braking through a corner while still on maintenance throttle. That's why people miss throttle cables I guess. It would also disable the PSC's function of "okay I know I am supposed to be off but my yaw sensors tell me we are about to die and you are hitting the brakes so in a last-ditch effort I will try to save us even though you currently disabled me." FWIW I have actually been chased before, but not by police. It was in my 944 on a dark night and it was some stranger in Durham, NC who I can only assume was a murderer/crackhead with some unpleasant reason to want to follow me for 20 minutes. Again I do not condone any of this.

Switch all your lights off and use your night vision goggles. You will look much cooler than Steve McQueen.

There are no stupid questions. But there are stupid people.

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HA! Incidentally I had seem to hit the limit of the tires before hitting that last-ditch traction control mode.

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KK, your ability to be abrasive is unparalleled. Those weekly oil changes appear to take a toll on your sense of humor.

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I think you missed one: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-to-texas.html

Thats just it. Reads like he was serious and not making a joke. Wanting to be the cause of a high speed pusuit is beyond idiocy, though it does happen. The results are usually bad. Huge difference between movie fun car chases and the real thing. LOL, I forgot about that car. One of the cleanest low mileage 99's Ive ever seen. The post was based on known info and hardly advocated breaking any laws.

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I think we were talking about the dumbest post, nothing to do with breaking laws...

To be fair to KK, his question wasn't nearly as dumb as the assumption one is forced to make about his thought process involving the purchase of a car he wasn't sure would last 800 miles.

Had one of those switches on my slightly modded 1978 Z28 w/ 502ci as well as one switch that would turn on just the reverse lights. The latter one was a hoot to use on tailgaiters

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I feel it come on all the time autocrossing. With r-comps it is much easier to generate the g-forces to get the car into thinking it is in serious trouble, and I do a lot of real slight left-foot braking. As soon as I brush the pedal a bit, enough to engage the switch, the pedal will pulse like crazy as the ABS/PSC tries to do its thing, even though A) the tires are not losing grip and B) the PSC is "disabled"

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I see someone doesn't live in a glass house himself... so you keep it under 65-70?? rules are rules.. its all the same thing. Why don't you grow up and just accept that hes wants to do something his car that you wouldn't do and move on if you don't like it..consider this your warning shot.. next one goes thru your house...with he lights off!!