wiring led lights

[jr4asu]

I have a green w/blk, white, and white w/blk coming out of my jeep can anyone tell me how to connect them to the black, white and red wires coming from my LED lights?

[Offroader5]

Did you cut all the wires from the back of the OEM tailight already?

[jr4asu]

yes... is that bad

[jr4asu]

okay I figured it out... the white is the ground

[xFallen]

I have a green w/blk, white, and white w/blk coming out of my jeep can anyone tell me how to connect them to the black, white and red wires coming from my LED lights?

This is very easy to figure out. Do you have a voltmeter or better yet a lilghted continuity tester? Or, even a 12v bulb and some wire to use as probes?

One and only of the three wires will have continuity to ground. One and only one of the other wires will have 12v when the lights are turned on and the brake is not depressed. The other wire (again, the only one of the three given the stated conditions) will have 12v between it and ground when the brake is depressed (ideally done with the lights off). That same wire will also have 12v to it when the turn signal flashes.

I would have to check mine to be sure of which is which. I would not mind doing that but I can't assure you an answer this eveing -- too many other things on the go. You can then deduce which wire to connect to the one on your Jeep. The white wire on your taillight unit will no doubt be ground but you should verify this for yourself.

From the above diagnostic, the Jeep wire for the running lights (on constantly when lights are on) should illuminate your new light unit (one of the red or black wires) more dimly than the other wire. The dim one is the running lights (tail light). The bright one is the signal/stop light.

If you do not feel confident doing this no worries but you really can't hurt anything if you have a basic understanding of DC electricity.

A whole pile of people may jump in here and tell you all the caveats that I have left out. I am hoping you are mature enough to know if this is within your skills set or not. If it is, you can figure it out I am sure. If not, please just ask for some more help and you will no doubt get it.


Barry

[xFallen]

okay I figured it out... the white is the ground

D'oh. Got caught in the reply vortex. You're most of the way there already.



Barry

[TomHatch]

The white is not a true ground... at least it did not work as a ground when I installed my LEDs.

http://www.stu-offroad.com/electrical/led1/led-2.htm for a handy chart mapping out the wires

Thanks Stu!