Grill lighting and how to wire.

[BA RS]

Ok brothers , I have looked in the DIY section for some help but can't find anything. So I bought some LEDs for my grill and I need ya'lls help with wording. I bought a switch that I will install inside to control the light. However I am confused on where to wire them . I tried to wire the power to the fuse box but when I did a test it didn't work. So if you guys help I know I can do this. Thanks

[KMAN114]

You also need to wire it to a ground, you didn't mention grounding it so just making sure you know

[BA RS]

Yes I did do that so the switch I have as three prongs. 2 are silver and 1 is gold. I assume the gold is for the power that is going to be connected to a constant power source. But when I connect the power wire from the LED to one other the other prongs and then I connected a ground wire to the other prong and then connect it to a ground and the ground wire for the Led I grounded it as well and still it wont light up. Now I know it works cause I took the led and connected it directly to the battery and it lite up. So what did I do wrong?

[Jerry7297]

The odd prong may be the ground. The ground symbol is typically like the pic below. Does it have that marking on it by a prong?

[2011 RJT]

Just run the ground to a grounding point, not the switch. Just the power wires to the switch. I have a feeling its a single pole,double throw switch from what you described. I think the middle would be constant power(from battery) and the others to led or power source.

[zkdreads]

its pretty easy. there are plenty of grounds within the engine bay and you can either power it straight to the battery terminal or to a switch

[LnLSS]

Center is always power from source, this leaves one side as ground and the other is power to lights. Ground does not need to be used if you don't want your switch lighted so you can just ground leds. Once center power is connected you can test either side for power when switched.

[Deke736]

The only reason for the third prong is for a small led light on the switch itself. As was mentioned above, it's not really needed.

Since I am not sure where you are wiring it inside of the car, may I suggest the following location:

The add-a-fuse line in my picture below is a constant 12v source and it how I have my grill lights wired. This is the fuse box on the driver's side interior. From this picture, the wire runs like this:



fuse (power source) - switch - grill lights

lights - ground

If you have a third pole, you can run it to a gound as well and the light on the switch will light up when the switch is powered on.

[BA RS]

Jerry no there is no symbol like that one you showed. I do believe that I did see one of the prongs on the sides that had a + on it . Ok that gives me some good info and hopefully be able to do it tonight when I get home. Thanks guys.

[BA RS]

So Deke if I am hearing you correctly I from the add a fuse on the fuse box inside then that wire will go to the switch . Then I need the power wire from the LED to the other prong on the switch . Then the ground wire from the LED needs to be grounded somewhere , then I will need to ground the switch . Does that sound about right?

[2011 RJT]

Originally Posted by BA RS

So Deke if I am hearing you correctly I from the add a fuse on the fuse box inside then that wire will go to the switch . Then I need the power wire from the LED to the other prong on the switch . Then the ground wire from the LED needs to be grounded somewhere , then I will need to ground the switch . Does that sound about right?

Yes. But depending on the switch,you may not want to ground on the switch. try it like you said. If it still doesn't work,try removing the ground and grounding seperate. Easiest way is to set it up on a table using a 9v battery. I have a few leads with alligator clips(small) on the ends. I can play around before I finally hook anything up.

[BA RS]

the switch is just a 2 position switch that has a little red light that lights up when its powered on to let me know the lights are on.

[Deke736]

Originally Posted by BA RS

So Deke if I am hearing you correctly I from the add a fuse on the fuse box inside then that wire will go to the switch . Then I need the power wire from the LED to the other prong on the switch . Then the ground wire from the LED needs to be grounded somewhere , then I will need to ground the switch . Does that sound about right?

That is absolutely correct. The ground from the switch (the third prong) is only for the light on the switch itself. You do not need to use it if you don't want to. To ground the LED's themselves, you can use a point in the engine bay or use a ground next to the fuse panel. Whichever is easiest for you!

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

Originally Posted by Deke736

That is absolutely correct. The ground from the switch (the third prong) is only for the light on the switch itself. You do not need to use it if you don't want to. To ground the LED's themselves, you can use a point in the engine bay or use a ground next to the fuse panel. Whichever is easiest for you!

+1