I just looked at the wiring diagrams for the 99 Contour. The brake lights run through the turn signal module, so it appears you could just cut the wire going to the turn signal module and those wires will only go live when you have turn signals or flashers on. You would have to cut it there, because if you broke the connection at the brake light switch things like your cruise control wouldn't turn off and possible ABS problems as well.
You could then run a new wire from the brake light switch to the back of the car for the dedicated brake light only. Or you might be able to drive this off the third brake light, depending on the current draw. I think I saw LEDs in the sample unit.
It seems from the diagrams the connectors I'd go after are in the steering column, right at the Turn Signal Switch, or there is a junction that is supposed to split the Brake Light "signal" in/near the LH A pillar.
So it really appears to be a simple wiring change. If you've wired speakers, this should be just as easy.
As soon as I can get around to converting the images from the service CD to a jpg, I'll post them here.
Chris, don't give up on the amber turns just yet, the wiring is real simple.
I may run a test using my backup lights as turn signals. Or I could just disconnect the brake light switch and verify the turnsignals still work.
HTH
TB
Tony Boner Personal: 98cdw27@charter.net Work: tony.boner@sun.com Saving the computer world from WinBloze as Unix/Solaris/Java Guru http://www.sun.com 1998 Contour SVT Pre-E1 618/6535 Born On Date: 4/30/1997 Now with Aussie Bar induced mild oversteer.