Sequential Tail Lights (Spliced)
In a stock Mustang, only the outer two lamps function as brake/turn signal/tail light lamps. The inside lamp (closest to the center of the car) only functions as a tail light. Fortunately, for the 1996-2004 automobiles, the inside lamp socket that comes with the car is set up to accept an additional lamp connector, and it already contains a dual filament lamp.
The STS-1M kit comes with pig-tail wire connectors that will convert the inside sockets to function as a brake/turn signal/tail light, just like the other sockets. This connector reduces installation time, and allows you to keep the Ford Factory sockets.
Some people experience flasher problems after they install the STS modules. There is an electronic flasher module in the car that runs the turn signals and hazard lamps. This module has a function that warns the driver when a lamp burns out by flashing at about twice the normal flash rate. Since the STS system separates the rear lamps in order to sequence them, the electronic flasher thinks that one of the bulbs is burned out, so it flashes quickly. When this happens, the sequencer modules don't have enough time to light all the lamps.
The STS-1M kit includes a flasher that has been modified to handle this feature. In addition, the flash rate is reduced to allow more time for the full lighting of all lamps.
Follow the instructions on the next few pages, and in no time, you will be driving a car that not only looks better, but is now safer because it is getting more attention by the drivers behind you.
Installation
1) (Right Side) Remove the plastic nuts that hold the trunk liner. Pull the liner back to expose the nuts that hold the fixture in place. Using an 11mm socket, remove the nuts that hold the fixture. Carefully remove the grommet that holds the harness in the car body. Remove the tail light fixture from the car and take it to a work bench. Place a soft cloth on the bench in order to protect the lens. The picture below shows a fixture that has been removed from a car.
2) Remove the inside lamp socket (the one circled in the picture above). Slide the gasket out of the socket and off the wires. With an awl or other pointed tool, pierce a small hole in the gasket.
3) Note that there are markings on the socket, and there is no wire in the MAJOR position. Remove the lamp and insert the supplied wire connector into this position. It's a tight fit, so use a needle nose pliers and be sure that it's fully seated. SPECIAL NOTE: There may be some plastic flash or other crud in the hole. Make sure that it's clear or you will have trouble getting the pigtail in far enough to make contact. After installation, if the middle lamp does not light, this is very likely the problem.
4) Install the gasket onto the wires and slide it back into the socket. If the lamp you removed is a dual filament lamp, then put the lamp back into the socket. Otherwise, obtain a #3157 lamp and install it into this socket.
5) Remove the middle socket from the tail light fixture. Insert the inside socket into the middle position, and insert the middle socket into the inside position. There is room for this swap, but since each car is different, you might have to unwrap some of the harness tape, and/or pull a clip out of the car body.
