Hello folks,

I recently bought a 2023 Bolt EV and noticed when braking or slowing down, SUVs and trucks would appear to roll right up to my rear end as if they were not going to stop. This is especially true during stop and go traffic. Wife also noticed this and asked me to check the tail lights because she thought it might not be working. To my surprise, only the bumper mounted lights would turn on when braking. The lift gate light only activated when the parking light or headlight was turned on.

I searched the internet for a kit or replacement tail gate light that would have a dual function as brake and parking lights but there was none. I decided to modify the Bolt's lift gate lights to turn on when the brake lights are activated. The lift gate lights had 1 level brightness and was not as bright as the bumper mounted brake lights but at least it would help add visibility. I did check for any digital or data signal on the positive voltage line just to be sure but there was no signal. I believe these LED lights are not design to require any maintenance so the factory probably felt it was not necessary to monitor it's status anymore. No more burn out incandescent bulbs.

Note: When the parking light or headlight is turned on, the lift gate light would also be on so stepping on the brakes will not make any changes in brightness.

I made a video of the entire process. The modification was purposely done to be as simple as possible and not to include the turn signal function with the lights. There were 2 parts that was challenging for me.

1. Removing the gate pivot "one time use" plastic bolt with out breaking them. I had to use a a pair of pliers to slowly pull it out of the lift gate. I modified these to make sure they can easily be removing the next time I needed to remove these plastic trim plates.
2. Re-installing the lower large trim panel. The push pins was difficult to align while holding the lift gate in place. I found that loosely closing the rear hatch on top of the lower trim panel help hold it in place while I snap all the push pins back in place.

The intent was to make sure bigger vehicles can see that I am braking or slowing down. Here is a simplified wiring diagram.

View attachment 48081
In case anyone breaks their Shade pivot plastic bolt, here is the OEM par tnumber. 4236844

Its on youtube:

The modification seems to have worked really well. i do notice SUVs giving me much more buffer room.

So simple - GM should be doing this as a recall.

 

File a NHSTA complaint. If enough complaints are regiatered, they would probably look into it. Other cars have the same problem, I think Hyundai's too.

 

I’m definitely going to do this modification. I already installed a second third brake light and this modification will be the icing on the cake!

Thanks.

 

Hello folks,

I recently bought a 2023 Bolt EV and noticed when braking or slowing down, SUVs and trucks would appear to roll right up to my rear end as if they were not going to stop. This is especially true during stop and go traffic. Wife also noticed this and asked me to check the tail lights because she thought it might not be working. To my surprise, only the bumper mounted lights would turn on when braking. The lift gate light only activates when the parking light or headlight was turned on.

I searched the internet for a kit or replacement tail gate light that would have a dual function as brake and parking lights but there was none. I decided to modify the Bolt's lift gate lights to turn on when the brake lights are activated. The lift gate lights had 1 level brightness and was not as bright as the bumper mounted brake lights but at least it would help add visibility. I did check for any digital or data signal on the positive voltage line just to be sure but there was no signal. I believe these LED lights are not design to require any maintenance so the factory probably felt it was not necessary to monitor it's status anymore. No more burn out incandescent bulbs.

Note: When the parking light or headlight is turned on, the lift gate light would also be on so stepping on the brakes will not make any changes in brightness.

I made a video of the entire process. The modification was purposely done to be as simple as possible and not to include the turn signal function with the lights. There were 2 parts that was challenging for me.

1. Removing the gate pivot "one time use" plastic bolt with out breaking them. I had to use a a pair of pliers to slowly pull it out of the lift gate. I modified these to make sure they can easily be removing the next time I needed to remove these plastic trim plates.
2. Re-installing the lower large trim panel. The push pins was difficult to align while holding the lift gate in place. I found that loosely closing the rear hatch on top of the lower trim panel help hold it in place while I snap all the push pins back in place.

The intent was to make sure bigger vehicles can see that I am braking or slowing down. Here is a simplified wiring diagram.

View attachment 48081
In case anyone breaks their Shade pivot plastic bolt, here is the OEM par tnumber. 4236844

Its on youtube:

The modification seems to have worked really well. i do notice SUVs giving me much more buffer room.

With all that equipment….what do you do for a job? Engineering?
Great video!

 

Nice work!
Looks like it would be possible to make a plug-n-play t-harness if you could find the correct connectors. Possible business opportunity for you 👍🏼

 

Bravo! You win, doing this as soon as I get back into town!

 

Excellent.
Thats what brake lights should look like.
I would buy the plug and play harness immediately.

 

Genius! Nice work! It does make me wonder though, could you do the exact same modification but run the aux wires to a second set of super bright LEDs: one in each taillight? That way they'd work even at night. If there's room to drill a small hole in the back of the taillights to stick a secondary LED through, it might put the icing on the cake.

Mike

 

I'm going to look at this when I have things apart. I have 12v LED bulbs on hand along with sockets. I'll see if anything can be retrofit into the existing lamps. I'm pretty sure it would involve drilling and sealing, and the way the lights are designed I'm not sure you can easily illuminate them from behind with a bright light source.

 

Not sure what’s all of this, the liftgate light on my Bolt EV just works.
The EUV has it too. So… I don’t really understand what’s this all about.

Ahh, I now understood. Good job !

 

I believe these LED lights are not design to require any maintenance so the factory probably felt it was not necessary to monitor it's status anymore. "No more burn out incandescent bulbs to check for."

Just FYI that they are not fool proof and do "burn out". I had the driver side lamp assembly replaced due to failure last winter.
It looked like there was moisture behind the lens so I think there was a bigger issue but covered under warranty so I didn't pursue things any further.

 

I guarantee you that once the additional wiring is seen, the light will be on you, unless you have a very copacetic technician who choses not to see it. That said, I am willing to risk it.

 

I can't thank you enough for your work and this info. I'll be doing this later this week. Although not perfect, this is sooooo much better than how things are now.

 

Federal law mandated high third center light didn't they?

 

YES, the third brake light became a law in 1986 on all new cars and 1994 on trucks. If your third light isn't working contact GM.

 

Before doing this mod, myself, I will probably experiment with a replacement bulb that does the rapid-flash when you initially hit the brake. I find that helps with catching one's attention, especially if they are staring at their phone while driving...

Depending on the results of that (and possibly despite...), I may do this mod. I know there's far too many [local] drivers who won't be paying attention to the bottom bumper. Sure, there's the CHMSL but most people focus on the rear tail lamps as an indicator.

YES - as many posters will (and already are) beating to death - there is the CHMSL up top, and, rear lighting setup/tail lamps is/are technically DOT Compliant, etc. But - it's HABIT that most people look to the main tail lamp assembly, right or wrong. It's what draws the eye. There's vehicles out there that have a similar bumper brake-lamp setup to the Bolt (Audi Q SUVs for example), so it's not the only example.

Looking to the main, mid-level tail lamps is learned behavior, especially for anyone in North America who has had a driver license for more than a couple years... don't want the added anxiety of people rolling up on me last-minute or perched on my bumper. Larger trucks and SUVs with further sight-lines won't even see the bumper lights within tens of feet of the EUV anyhow, and due to changing pedestrian safety standards, the hood-lines of most vehicles sold now, are higher than before. Which really doesn't help.

Sure, it won't light up bright... and will become moot when the lamps are on (as OP stated there's only one brightness level for the array). But I suppose it's better than nothing? Whatever helps you sleep at night.

I doubt GM would ever recall these lens for simply being unfortunately-placed, and the aftermarket MAY develop a redesigned lens with a wiring harness.... but considering there's a decent-to-100% possibility the Bolt will discontinue soon to the Ultium vehicles releasing, I bet there ends up simply not being enough overall sales volume for the aftermarket to bother.

 

Love the hack, and I might just do that if the only eye-level stop light I have is the center high-mount one. I have a 2017, so it might be different (stop lights are quite bright when viewed in the rear-view mirror against a door).

This isn't the first time the complaint has been heard about the main lights not activating as stop lights (or turn signals). ISTR a previous discussion where the reason was pointed out: the main stop lights and turn signals must, by regulation, be located on a fixed part of the car body, not the trunk lid or hatch. Since the Bolt doesn't have a piece of the taillights on the fender, the stop lights and turn signals have to be in the bumper. I've seen a similar setup on many small SUVs especially from Asia.

I'm not sure whether modifying the car so the lights on the hatch perform stoplight and possibly turn signal functions violates some regulation. It makes total sense, though. Too bad carmakers can't get the rule changed if that's what makes them do it the borked way it is now.

 

I love this hack too. Thanks for event posting a video. But since at night time, it doesn't change the brightness of the middle lights on the hatch, i went ahead and got this brake light flexible "spoiler". It's on there using 3M double sided tape. I taped this into the high mounted 3rd brake light. This works really well. I drive everyday bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway and streets. Now that it will be getting dark sooner, this should help showing that i am slowing down.

 

View attachment 48092

I love this hack too. Thanks for event posting a video. But since at night time, it doesn't change the brightness of the middle lights on the hatch, i went ahead and got this brake light flexible "spoiler". It's on there using 3M double sided tape. I taped this into the high mounted 3rd brake light. This works really well. I drive everyday bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway and streets. Now that it will be getting dark sooner, this should help showing that i am slowing down.

This is great! Can you provide more details on the part purchased and installation/wire tapping details? Thank you.

 

Hello folks,

I recently bought a 2023 Bolt EV and noticed when braking or slowing down, SUVs and trucks would appear to roll right up to my rear end as if they were not going to stop. This is especially true during stop and go traffic. Wife also noticed this and asked me to check the tail lights because she thought it might be broken. To my surprise, only the bumper mounted lights would turn on when braking. The lift gate light only activates when the parking light or headlight was turned on.

I searched the internet for a kit or replacement tail gate light that would have dual function as brake and parking lights but there was none. I decided to modify the Bolt's lift gate lights to turn on when the brake lights are activated. The lift gate lights had 1 level brightness and was not as bright as the bumper mounted brake lights but at least it would help add visibility. I did check for any digital or data signal on the positive voltage line and confirmed there was no signal. I believe these LED lights are not design to require any maintenance so the factory probably felt it was not necessary to monitor it's status anymore. "No more burn out incandescent bulbs to check for."

Note: When the parking light or headlight is turned on, the lift gate light would also be on so stepping on the brakes will not make any changes in brightness.

I made a video of the entire process. The modification was purposely done to be as simple as possible and not to include the turn signal function. There were 2 parts that was challenging for me.

1. Removing the gate pivot "one time use" plastic bolt with out breaking them. I had to use a a pair of pliers to slowly pull it out of the lift gate. I modified these to make sure they can easily be removing the next time I needed to remove these plastic trim plates. In case anyone breaks the pivot, the part# is 42363844
2. Re-installing the lower large trim panel. The retainer pins was difficult to align while holding the lift gate in place. I found that loosely closing the rear hatch on top of the lower trim panel help hold it in place while I snap all the retainer pins back in place.

The intent was to make sure bigger vehicles can see that I am braking or slowing down. Here is a simplified wiring diagram of the connection.

View attachment 48081
In case anyone breaks their Shade pivot plastic bolt, here is the OEM par tnumber. 4236844

Its on youtube:

The modification have worked really well. i do notice SUVs giving me much more buffer room now.

I've instantly subscribed and will follow anything you say. Are you accepting applications for second in command for your future cult? I can start checking out multi-acre plots in Oregon right now.

 

I always turn my headlights when I drive

 

Yes, a loom kit for most diyers could help. I get the problem now.

Should make a complaint to NHTS or whoever does that.

 

Thanks for the video great infomation that will be on the list of mods once EUV gets here..

 

My car will be with me for a long time... 2013 Volt 190,000 and still going. Cars seem to hang around for a long time. My cars both drivers and classics work for me. and I do alot of the work myself. This mod is a minor change to make it better.

 

My 2011 Volt failed a software update at 7 years and 289,000 miles. I’m expecting my 2017 Bolt to last longer and go further.

 

So this mod only works when the headlights are off.
So at night it is the same as factory.
Good Mod nonetheless, better than nuthin.

Ideally they would get brighter when hit the brakes with lights on or off, but that not possible prolly.

 

Hello folks,...........

View attachment 48081
Thanks for posting this modification. However I was a bit confused by your simplified schematic. With the diode oriented as shown, am I right to assume that you are intercepting the negative connection to the "Left tail light" and "Right tail light"? This would draw current thru the "Top 3rd brake light" assuming its positive connection is always energized. Also, you did not show it, but I assumed you tested the current thru the 1N4001 to make sure you were not exceeding the 1 A specification for this rectifier. Actually the current should be less than 1 A because that is the rating at 75 degC assuming some heat sinking to a PCB which is not present in your case and the heat shrink does insulate.

This is an important mod that I will be adding, I think.

 

Actually I realize I must be totally confused. Is the highest light, refered to here as the "Top 3rd brake light", driving the "Left tail light" and "Right tail light" so that they are both on when the brakes are on due to this mod, whereas these two would not be on during braking without this mod? I don't have my Bolt yet, so can someone please explain the light behavior of all five rear lights on the unmodified Bolt when the headlights/parking lights are off and on and the brakes are off and on and a turn signal is off and on, i.e. all 8 conditions?

 

Actually I realize I must be totally confused. Is the highest light, refered to here as the "Top 3rd brake light", driving the "Left tail light" and "Right tail light" so that they are both on when the brakes are on due to this mod, whereas these two would not be on during braking without this mod?

Correct. Without this mod the lights on the tailgate do not illuminate when braking. With this mod those lights will illuminate when braking unless the lights are already on due to the headlights or parking lights being on.

 

Could be worse, your tails could cost $6100 to replace.

 

I did this mod today. It worked just fine. Many thanks to @RTCalifornia for the video and information.

Some notes on my install. The side pegs for the sunshade on my 2022 (June 2021 build) already had the modification to make them removable. See pic below. If you are going to remove the pegs on an earlier model car and they break, I'd recommend ordering the later model pegs if your interior color matches the 2022 and later cars. Otherwise be ready to modify them as RTCalifornia mentioned.

I tapped into the wiring at a different spot than in the video, see pic below. Accessing the power here meant I didn't have to strip back as much of the tape to get to the wires. I didn't want to tap into the wiring after the connector that goes to the third brake light as doing so would put extra stress on the connector. I doubt it is much and probably wouldn't be an issue, but GM didn't design the connector to power the third brake light and two more larger lights, so I figured it would be best to tap before any connectors.

Finally, I really don't see how another set of brighter lights can be inserted into the tail lights to light them up. There is a large circuit board inside the tail light that would obstruct any lights you mount from behind. And even if you did try to light the housing, there really isn't a lens that can be illuminated. The LEDs are in two strips along the top and bottom. Blasting light into the housing isn't going to really illuminate the strips where you need the lighting. Hope that makes sense.

 

Just checked all the lights on my 2017. The tail and stop lights are all on the tailgate, not the bumper. So what changed for 2022? Was there a rule change, as I read somewhere previously, that prohibits the stop lights from being only on the tailgate? If so, can somebody provide a reference so the problems that causes can be addressed? Another reason why I'm going to keep my old one for a while longer, and probably won't replace it with a new Bolt.

Does suggest that raiding a junkyard Bolt for tailgate components might be productive, if you want to DIY a fix.

There are red sections of the light bars (which include the turn signals and backup lights - making the turn signals a bit inconspicuous from the rear) in the bumper. They are not illuminated - presumably just reflectors.

 

Rules have not changed. GM just decided to do a design change and got rid of the switch that activates the lights on the bumper when the hatch is open. Probably a cost cutting measure. The EUV technically has outer light sections that are not on the hatch, so they could have designed turn signals and brake lights on the outer section of the running lights. But again, probably cost less to have 1 design for both the EV and EUV.