Car LED Light Strips Installation: Step-by-Step

Can I install car LED light strips myself? Yes, you absolutely can! With a bit of patience and a few basic tools, most car owners can successfully install LED light strips to enhance their vehicle’s aesthetics. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the best car LED strip kit to troubleshooting any issues you might encounter.

How To Install Car Led Light Strips
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Why Install Car LED Light Strips?

Adding LED light strips to your car is a popular way to personalize its look. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle, elegant glow under your seats or a vibrant underglow light installation, LEDs offer a versatile and eye-catching solution. They can also improve visibility in certain areas, making your car more functional as well as stylish.

Gathering Your Tools and Supplies

Before you begin, ensure you have everything you need. This will make the installation process smoother and less frustrating.

LED Light Strip Kit: Choose a kit that suits your needs. Kits vary in color options, control methods (remote, app-controlled), and length.
Wire Strippers/Cutters: Essential for preparing wires for connections.
Crimping Tool: For securely attaching connectors to wires.
Wire Connectors: Various types like butt connectors, spade connectors, or T-taps are useful.
Electrical Tape: For insulating connections and tidying up wires.
Zip Ties or Cable Management Clips: To keep wires neat and secure.
Screwdriver Set: For removing any necessary interior panels.
Drill with Small Drill Bits (Optional): If you need to create small holes for routing wires.
Adhesive Promoter/Surface Cleaner: To ensure strong adhesion of the LED strips.
Multimeter (Optional but Recommended): For testing power sources and continuity.
Fuse Tap or Add-a-Circuit: A safe way to connect to your car’s electrical system.
Safety Glasses: Always protect your eyes during any DIY project.

Choosing the Right LED Light Strip Kit

Selecting the best car LED strip kit is crucial for a successful installation and long-lasting results. Consider these factors:

LED Type and Brightness: Different LEDs offer varying brightness levels. SMD 5050 LEDs are common and provide good brightness.
Waterproofing: If you plan an underglow light installation or placing strips in areas prone to moisture, look for waterproof (IP65 or higher) rated kits.
Color Options: Do you want a single color, or a multi-color RGB kit? RGB kits often come with remote controls or smartphone apps for color and pattern selection.
Control Method: Remote controls are simple, while app-controlled kits offer more customization.
Power Source: Most kits run on 12V, compatible with car power.
Length and Flexibility: Ensure the strips are long enough for your intended automotive LED strip placement and flexible enough to bend around corners.

Planning Your LED Light Strip Placement

Proper automotive LED strip placement is key to both aesthetics and functionality. Think about where you want the lights to go and how the wires will be routed.

Interior LED Strip Setup Ideas:

Under Seats: Creates ambient footwell lighting.
Under Dashboard: Adds a subtle glow to the driver and passenger areas.
Along Door Sills: Offers a premium look, especially when doors open.
In the Trunk: Improves visibility when loading or unloading.
Around the Headliner: For a starry night effect.

Exterior (Underglow) Light Installation Ideas:

Along the Chassis: The most common placement for underglow light installation.
Wheel Wells: For a dramatic effect when the wheels turn.
Grille: Can add a distinctive front-end look.

Important Note: Always check local laws regarding exterior lighting. Some areas have restrictions on the color and brightness of underglow lights.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

This section covers the general process for how to install car LED light strips. The specifics might vary slightly depending on your chosen kit and car model.

Step 1: Disconnect the Battery

Safety first! Before touching any wiring, disconnect the negative terminal of your car battery. This prevents electrical shorts and protects you from shocks.

Step 2: Prepare the Surface

Clean the area where you plan to mount the LED strips thoroughly. Use an automotive interior cleaner or rubbing alcohol to remove any dust, grease, or dirt. If using an adhesive promoter, apply it according to the product’s instructions. This ensures the LED strips adhere securely.

Step 3: Mount the LED Strips

Most LED light strips come with a strong adhesive backing. Peel off the protective layer and carefully press the strip into place. For better adhesion, you can use a small roller or the edge of a credit card to apply even pressure.

For Interior Placement: Route the strips along edges or discreetly behind panels. Many kits come with small clips or zip ties for extra security.
For Exterior Placement (Underglow): Mount the strips along the car’s chassis or frame. Ensure they are positioned to avoid road debris or damage from speed bumps. You might need to drill small holes to secure mounting clips or route wires.

Step 4: Wiring the LED Strips

This is the most critical part of the car LED strip wiring. You’ll need to connect the LED strips to a power source.

Connecting Car LED Strips to Power:

Locate a Suitable Power Source: The best option is to tap into a 12V accessory fuse. This means the lights will turn on and off with your ignition.
- Using a Fuse Tap: Insert a fuse tap into an appropriate fuse slot in your car’s fuse box. Ensure the fuse tap’s amperage rating is compatible with your LED kit and the circuit you’re tapping into.
- Alternatively: You can tap into an existing 12V accessory wire, but this requires more precision and knowledge of your car’s electrical system.
Identify the Positive (+) and Negative (-) Wires:
- LED Strip: Most strips have clearly marked positive and negative wires.
- Power Source: For the fuse tap, one wire will connect to the fuse tap, and the other will connect to the LED strip’s positive wire. The negative wire from the LED strip will connect to a ground point.
Make Connections:
- Connecting Car LED Strips: Use appropriate wire connectors. Butt connectors are excellent for joining two wires. Strip a small portion of insulation from each wire, insert them into the connector, and crimp securely.
- Grounding: Find a clean, unpainted metal surface on your car’s chassis to act as a ground. Strip a small section of metal and attach the negative wire from your LED kit using a ring terminal and a screw or bolt.
Route the Wires: Carefully route all wires away from moving parts, sharp edges, and heat sources. Use zip ties or cable management clips to keep them tidy and prevent them from dangling.
- Interior Wiring: Hide wires behind trim panels, under carpets, or along the car’s existing wiring loom.
- Exterior Wiring: Use grommets to pass wires through bulkheads if necessary. Seal any drilled holes to prevent water ingress.

Step 5: Connect the Controller/Remote Receiver

If your kit includes a separate control box or receiver, connect the LED strips to it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, connect the control box to your power source.

Step 6: Test the Lights

Before reassembling any panels, reconnect the car battery and test your LED lights.

Turn on your ignition.
Use the remote or app to cycle through colors, patterns, and brightness levels.
Ensure all sections of the LED strips are working correctly.

Step 7: Secure and Tidy Up

Once you’ve confirmed everything works, secure all wiring with zip ties or electrical tape. Reinstall any panels or trim pieces you removed. Make sure no wires are visible unless that’s part of your intended design.

Specific Installation Scenarios

Let’s delve into some common installation types.

Installing Underglow Lights

Underglow light installation requires careful attention to the exterior environment.

Mounting: Use strong, weather-resistant adhesive or mounting clips. Ensure the strips are protected from road spray and impacts.
Wiring: Route wires to avoid the exhaust system and any moving suspension parts. A fuse tap connected to a suitable circuit (like parking lights or an accessory circuit) is recommended.
Grounding: A chassis ground point is essential. Ensure it’s free from rust or paint.

Setting Up Interior LED Strips

The interior LED strip setup is generally simpler, focusing on discreet placement.

Adhesion: The adhesive backing is usually sufficient, but for door sills or areas with more vibration, consider using automotive-grade double-sided tape or small mounting clips.
Wiring: Tapping into the fuse box for accessory power is the cleanest method. You can often access the fuse box under the dashboard or in the engine bay (check your car’s manual).
Wire Routing: Conceal wires behind panels for a professional look. Use the car’s existing wiring channels where possible.

Car Neon Light Installation (Flex Neon)

Flex neon lights offer a classic look. The installation is similar to LED strips, but they might be slightly more rigid.

Mounting: Often come with channels or clips for mounting.
Wiring: Follow the same principles as LED strips, connecting to a 12V source and ground.

DIY Car LED Strips Considerations

When undertaking DIY car LED strips, remember these points:

Wire Gauge: Use appropriate gauge wire for the current your LEDs draw. Most LED kits come with pre-attached wiring, but if you’re extending wires, use the correct gauge to prevent overheating.
Waterproofing Connections: For exterior installations, use waterproof connectors or heat shrink tubing over all connections to prevent corrosion.
Fuse Protection: Always use a fuse to protect your electrical system. The fuse should be rated slightly higher than the total amperage draw of your LED strips.

Troubleshooting Car LED Light Strips

Even with careful installation, you might run into issues. Here are some common problems and solutions for troubleshooting car LED light strips:

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Lights don’t turn on	Battery not connected, blown fuse, loose wiring	Reconnect battery. Check fuse and replace if blown. Inspect all connections for looseness or corrosion. Test power at the connection point with a multimeter.
Only some LEDs light up	Damaged LED strip section, bad connection	Check connections at the start of the strip. If a section is visibly damaged, you may need to replace the entire strip or cut and splice (if the kit allows).
Lights flicker or dim	Poor ground connection, voltage drop, faulty controller	Ensure a solid ground connection. Check for loose wiring or corroded connections. If using a long run of wires, consider using a thicker gauge wire or relocating the power source closer. Test controller.
Color is incorrect (RGB)	Incorrect wiring of RGB wires, faulty controller	Double-check the wiring order for Red, Green, and Blue. Ensure the controller is functioning correctly.
Lights turn on randomly	Incorrectly wired to a constant 12V source	Ensure the LED kit is wired to an accessory circuit (ACC) or ignition (IGN) that turns off with the car, not a constant 12V source.
Adhesive failing	Poor surface preparation, extreme temperatures	Clean the surface again and reapply with a stronger automotive adhesive or mounting clips. Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations during initial adhesion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How long do car LED light strips typically last?
A1: High-quality LED light strips can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 hours or even longer, depending on the quality of the LEDs, how they are used, and the operating temperature.

Q2: Do LED light strips drain my car battery?
A2: When installed correctly to turn on and off with the ignition, LED light strips will only consume power when the car is running or in accessory mode. If wired directly to a constant 12V source without a relay or switch, they could drain your battery over time. Modern LED strips are very energy-efficient, so their draw is minimal compared to older lighting technologies.

Q3: Can I cut LED light strips?
A3: Most LED light strips have designated cut marks (often indicated by a scissor icon). You can cut them at these points. However, ensure you properly seal the cut end with electrical tape or heat shrink to prevent damage and maintain any waterproofing.

Q4: Is it legal to have underglow lights on my car?
A4: Laws regarding underglow lighting vary significantly by state, province, and country. Some places prohibit them entirely, while others allow them under specific conditions (e.g., only visible when the vehicle is stopped, or specific colors are restricted). Always check your local regulations before installing exterior lighting.

Q5: What’s the difference between LED strips and car neon lights?
A5: Traditional LED strips consist of individual LEDs mounted on a flexible circuit board. Car neon lights (often referred to as “flex neon” or “LED neon”) use a flexible silicone tube with embedded LEDs, designed to mimic the appearance of traditional glass neon tubes but with the durability and efficiency of LEDs.

By following this detailed guide, you’re well-equipped to tackle the installation of car LED light strips. Enjoy personalizing your vehicle and adding a unique flair to your ride!