Why Do My Vehicle LED Lights Have 3 Wires (2024)

There is a difference between using incandescent automotive bulbs and LED lights. The power consumption, as well as the color of the wire, could be different in this case. LED lights are set to use less power when compared with automotive bulb standards.

You can still install LED lights as a means to turn signals or blinkers. You also have to replace the flasher relay with the LED or electronic flasher relay. The power used by LED lights is very less. They never get to trip the standards thermal flasher.

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The single (one) wire LED light normal ground. It happens through the base level of the light housing. The lights are also said to be single functional. It includes all brake lights and marker lights. blinker or running lights.

The single light can still function as a positive power wire. The color of the light is not impacted by this, it could be white, red, or black.

With 2 wire LED lights, it is used as single-function lights. It includes brake lights, marker lights, running lights, or blinkers.

One light out of 2 wires would be positive and the other ground. The mainly black or white wire would be available and provided. In this case, black light is positive, and white is ground.

Why Do My Vehicle LED Lights Have 3 Wires (1)

With 3 wires, LED lights become multi-function lights. Depending upon the configuration of the application, the light can very well be managed.

Like brake and blinkers, running and brakes and running or blinkers. The colors of the wires are red, black, and white. Red becomes the first positive with black the second positive. The white light becomes ground.

The 3 wire light can best be installed as a blinker and brake. The connection is LED lights and black lights with vehicle positive brake lights.

Then the red LED light is connected with the vehicle blinker (positive). In the second connection, light coming from the flasher relay is better.

Normally there are no industry standards for the colors of the lights. You should test with a multi-meter to get the desired results.

Sometimes LED lights have some idea about the wiring system as well. At times, the information is missing.

Why Do My Vehicle LED Lights Have 3 Wires (2)

For better testing of the lights, other mechanism includes

  • Testing LED lights with a 9v battery help in finding out the positive and negative sides of the wire.

This is even helpful if you have a 3 wire LED light assembly. Connect the expected negative wire to the negative side of the 9v battery.

Similarly, connect the other side of the wire with the positive side of the 9v battery. Even if by mistake, connections are not proper it will not cause any damage to the system.

One example of a wrong connection could be

  • LED positive with 9v negative or LED positive with 9v Positive

Consult Your New Vision Offroad & Warning Lighting Experts

We help you avoid the pitfalls to deliver the quality and value your offroad and warning lights need, on-time and on-budget.

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By [emailprotected]|2022-05-12T00:41:20+00:00May 16th, 2022|Knowledges|0 Comments

Related Posts

As an automotive lighting enthusiast with extensive knowledge in the field, I can assure you that understanding the difference between incandescent automotive bulbs and LED lights is crucial for optimal vehicle lighting performance. This article delves into various aspects of LED lights, power consumption, wiring configurations, and the implications for different applications. Let's break down the concepts used in the article:

  1. Incandescent vs. LED Lights:

    • Incandescent automotive bulbs are compared to LED lights.
    • LED lights are known for their lower power consumption compared to traditional automotive bulbs.
  2. Power Consumption:

    • LED lights are designed to use less power than standard automotive bulbs.
    • The article emphasizes the importance of replacing the flasher relay with an LED or electronic flasher relay when installing LED lights.
  3. Wiring Configurations:

    • Single-Wire LED Lights:

      • These lights have a single wire and are often used for brake lights, marker lights, blinkers, or running lights.
      • The single wire serves as both ground and positive power.
    • Two-Wire LED Lights:

      • Used as single-function lights, such as brake lights, marker lights, running lights, or blinkers.
      • One wire is positive, and the other is ground, typically black for positive and white for ground.
    • Three-Wire LED Lights:

      • Configured as multi-function lights, supporting various applications like brake lights, blinkers, running lights, or a combination.
      • Wire colors include red (first positive), black (second positive), and white (ground).
  4. Installation Tips:

    • The article suggests testing with a multi-meter to determine the correct wiring configuration.
    • Testing LED lights with a 9V battery is recommended to identify positive and negative sides of the wire without causing damage to the system.
  5. Industry Standards:

    • The article notes that there are no industry standards for the colors of the wires in LED lights.
    • Testing with a multi-meter is recommended to ensure the desired results.
  6. Consultation:

    • The article concludes by advising readers to consult with experts, specifically mentioning "New Vision Offroad & Warning Lighting Experts," to avoid pitfalls and ensure quality and value in offroad and warning lights.

This comprehensive overview provides valuable insights into the intricacies of LED lighting for vehicles, covering power consumption, wiring configurations, installation tips, and the importance of seeking professional advice for optimal results.

Why Do My Vehicle LED Lights Have 3 Wires (2024)
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