Wheel lights can make your truck look unique and stylish. They come with a lot of other benefits too. But are your wheel lights for trucks not working after installation?
Wheel lights in trucks may not work if you do not install them properly. The issue can be with the wiring or the connectors. Sometimes defective lights and a bad battery can also cause this problem. You can easily fix it at home.
Now, how do you fix wheel lights in trucks that are not working? Follow our troubleshooting guide in today’s article to fix the lights and illuminate the wheels at night.
About wheel lights for trucks: A Short Overview
Trucks usually have flights only in front and back. But you also can add lights to wheels to illuminate both sides. Now, you can have a better look at your surroundings, and the lights make your vehicle look cooler.
Wheel lights on my truck. Are they legal or illegal to have?
Wheel lights on your truck are not illegal unless they distract other drivers. Try to use simple LED lights and avoid using them in high-traffic areas.
Why are wheel lights for trucks not working?
The wheel light for trucks may not work due to various reasons. First, you need to identify the cause, and then you can take the necessary actions to fix the issue.
The most common reasons why trucks’ wheel lights may not work are:
Defective lights
Bad battery
Lose connection
Defective wire
Power supply to the switch
Whether the lights are not working after you finish installing or stopped working after certain times, these are the most common causes for both situations.
Troubleshoot wheel lights for trucks not working: (problem and Solution)
Now, how do you fix wheel ring lights for trucks malfunctioning?
Here is the troubleshooting guide for each of the problems that cause wheel lights in trucks to not work:
Defective lights
First, you should check whether the wheel lights are functioning or not. Often the lights get damaged, so they may not work even after installing properly.
Use a 12-volt power supply to check the wheel lights. You can use your home’s electric line or get a separate 12-volt regulated power supply.
If the lights do not turn on, then they are defective. You need to buy a replacement and install them again. But if the lights turn on, then they are in good condition, and the problem is with something else.
Bad battery
A bad or damaged battery can lead to truck wheel lights not working. Sometimes when the battery has low voltage, the light may work, but it will illuminate dimly.
First, try charging the battery and checking if the lights are working. If not, then test its functionality using a multimeter.
You will need to replace the battery if they are damaged. But if they are fine, then move on to checking the next problem.
Loose connection
Installing a wheel light in trucks involves connecting various components in the vehicle. The lights will not work if any connection gets loose.
Disconnect all the connectors and reconnect them. It should fix the problem, and you should be able to turn on the lights. But if not, maybe the wire is bad.
Defective wire
A defective wire can also be the reason why the wheel lights are not working. It often happens when you run the wire through the car’s moving parts or close to the extremely hot parts.
Get every wire that connects the lights to your truck, including the wheel light cable and the extension cable. Then check the wires using a multimeter.
If the wires are not working, then get new wires. However, if the light cable is not working, you may get a refund if the company provides a warranty.
If all the wires are fine, let’s check the next issue.
Power supply to the switch
You also need to ensure whether the switch is receiving power or not. Usually, fixing the wiring problems should solve this issue.
Besides, check if the switch is properly working or not. If there is any physical damage, replace the switch.
Wheel lights for trucks: Pros and Cons
Wheel lights can be a great addition to your car. They will light up your car’s wheel at night. But is there any benefit? Let’s check the pros and cons of truck wheel lights.
Pros:
- The wheel lights allow you to see the sidewalls or the lane properly. As a result, there is less chance that you hit something on your side or accidentally get off-road while driving.
- Wheel lights on trucks offer a cooler look.
- Your truck can be easier to spot at night, preventing other vehicles from hitting you from behind.
Cons:
It can distract other drivers and cause accidents.
How do wheel lights work for trucks?
You need to install the wheel lights in your truck separately. First, install the lights on the wheels and connect them to a battery. Then press the Bluetooth or wired switch at night to light up the wheels.
How to install wheel lights for trucks?
Often, wheel lights do not work due to poor installation. Here is a guide on how to properly install wheel lights for trucks.
Things you need:
Wheel light set
Jack stand
Torque wrench
Electric screwdriver
Drill machine
Step 1: Jack up the vehicle and remove the front tire
First, use a jack stand to lift up the front of the truck. Then remove the front tires.
Step 2: Check sizes
Check the measurements of the wheel to determine what size wheel light you need. Most trucks usually have 20-inch or bigger wheels, and a wheel light of 17.5 inches fits perfectly on them.
Step 3: Fit & remove the bracket
Wheel lights usually have five brackets, but you will need only four. Hold it on the wheel to determine which one you want to remove. It’s best to remove the one that sits in line with the caliper.
Step 4: Remove the caliper and rotor
Now, use a torque wrench to remove the caliper and rotor. Reinstall the caliper for a moment to check the light fitting.
Step 5: Drill holes and secure the ring
Hold the light on the wheel and mark the points where the brackets fit. Then use a drill machine to make holes. Secure the ring with the screws and connect the light wire to the lead wire. After that, reinstall the caliper and rotor.
Step 6: Install rear wheel lights
Now, take the jack stand to the back and install the rear wheel lights. The process is similar to the front, but you will not have to remove the rotor for this.
Step 7: Wiring
Lastly, run the wiring underneath the vehicle and take it to the engine bay. Then plug it into the control box. Now, use the Bluetooth switch to illuminate the wheel lights.
Best wheel lights for trucks:
If you are looking forward to buying a new set of wheel lights for trucks, here are the top 3 options:
Sando Tech White Solid Color Flashing LED Wheel Ring Lights are undoubtedly one of the best and coolest looking wheel lights for trucks. These LED wheel lights come in white colors that are not too distracting. Besides, they are a perfect fit for most trucks.
Pros:
Easy to install
Waterproof light suitable for every weather
Both Bluetooth and rocker switches available for the driver’s convenient
Cons:
The lights could be brighter
If you do not like white and want multicolor wheel lights for your truck, then the OTOMO LED Flow Wheel Ring Lights DREAMCOLOR is one of the best options for you. They come in various sizes to fit every vehicle. Besides, the lights have 20 strobe solid colors that make them look amazing at night.
Pros:
Rust-resistant aluminum material for extended durability.
IP67 water resistance certification for protection in a rainy weather
The million-color fade modes offer a unique appearance
Cons:
It can distract other drivers in heavy-traffic areas
If your truck requires 17-inch color wheel lights, then Forten Kingdom Dream Chasing Color Truck Tire Wheel Ring LED Illuminated Light can be your best pick. It has 92 different light-working patterns that look attractive on the road.
Pros:
You can control the lights using an app (BLEDIM) on your phone
The lights are brighter than the others
Automatically changes color in turns and reverse, which is excellent for signaling others
Cons:
It does not come with any remote
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Which light is good for night driving?
Low-beam LED lights are better for night driving. They illuminate the road well, and the flash does not blindside you or other drivers on the road.
2. Are wheel lights for trucks hard to install? Should I have 24-inch wheels on my charger, or should I buy the 17.5-inch?
No. Wheel lights for trucks are usually easy to install. 17.5-inch wheel lights should be fine for 24 inches of wheels.
3. How do I measure what size wheel light rings I would need for my truck?
You should measure the size of the brake motor to determine what size wheel light you need for your truck.
4. Why is the 5amp fuse popping within 5 mins after I turn on the wheel lights?
If you run the wire through moving parts in your vehicle or near the hot components, the 5 amp fuse will pop 5 minutes after you turn on the wheel lights. Find a safe way for wiring to avoid this issue.
If you run the wire through moving parts in your vehicle or near the hot components, the 5 amp fuse will pop 5 minutes after you turn on the wheel lights. Find a safe way for wiring to avoid this issue.
Conclusion
If your truck’s wheel lights are not working, follow our troubleshooting guide to fix them. However, if you install the lights properly and follow the installation instructions, you should not face any problems.
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