So, you’ve finally got your Jeep Wrangler JL or Gladiator JT. You’re sitting in the driver’s seat, admiring those four factory AUX switches, imagining how awesome they’ll look controlling your new light bars and winch.

But then you pop the hood.

You look near the battery, and what do you see? A taped-up bundle of loose wires that looks like forbidden spaghetti. No labels. No instructions. Just a bunch of random colors.

I get it. I’m a Product Manager at an automotive lighting factory. I spend my days designing high-performance LED lights, and even I get annoyed by how vague the factory wiring diagrams can be. You shouldn’t need an electrical engineering degree to hook up a set of ditch lights.

Put down the multimeter and stop searching through endless forum threads. I’ve done the heavy lifting for you. In this guide, I’m breaking down which color wire goes with which switch, so you can get your rig lit up and get back on the trail.

Where are the AUX wires hiding?

They are located on the passenger side of the engine bay, right near the firewall and the battery.

You will usually find these wires wrapped tightly in black heat shrink tape or black electrical tape. They often look like a useless, dead-end cable. You will need to carefully peel back the tape to reveal the colored wires inside.

The Official Jeep Wrangler (JL/JT) AUX Switch Wiring Chart

Here is the breakdown you need. I have listed them by switch number, the power rating (Amperage), and the specific wire color.

• AUX 1 (40 Amp): Tan with Pink Stripe

• AUX 2 (40 Amp): Green with Pink Stripe

• AUX 3 (15 Amp): Orange with Pink Stripe

• AUX 4 (15 Amp): Dark Blue with Pink Stripe

Please note that these colors are for the Power Output wires. There are other wires in the bundle (like the battery pass-through wires), but the four colors listed above are the ones controlled by your dashboard switches.

Why are there two bundles of wires?

Because Jeep designed the vehicle for both interior and exterior modifications.

You will actually find two identical sets of these colored wires. One bundle is under the hood (for things like our 9-inch driving lights or a winch). The second bundle is tucked inside the passenger-side footwell (for interior accessories such as a CB radio or an air-compressor switch). The color codes remain the same for both locations.

Why Amps Matter: Do Not Burn Your Rig Down

What is the difference between the switches?

AUX 1 and AUX 2 are rated for 40 Amps, while AUX 3 and AUX 4 are rated for 15 Amps.

This is the most common mistake I see in the garage. Many drivers choose a switch simply because they prefer the button’s position on the dashboard. However, electricity does not care about your preference. If you connect a high-power device to a low-power switch, you will have problems.

What happens if I choose the wrong switch?

You will blow the fuse immediately, or, worse, damage the wiring over time.

The 15 Amp switches use thinner wires. If you try to draw too much current through them, the fuse will blow to protect the circuit. This is annoying because the fuse box in a Jeep JL is not exactly easy to access on a muddy trail.

How do I know which switch to use?

You must match your aaccessory’spower draw to the switch rating.

Here is a simple rule of thumb that we use at the factory:

• Use AUX 1 or AUX 2 (40A) for High Power items. This includes large LED light bars, onboard air compressors, or the main power for a winch solenoid.

• Use AUX 3 or AUX 4 (15A) for Low Power items. This is ideal for small ditch lights, amber backlighting, GPS systems, or CB radios.

If you are unsure, check the box for your new light. Look for the “Wattage.” A simple math trick is to divide the Watts by 12 (the battery’s voltage). For example, if a light bar is 240 W, then 240 ÷ 12 = 20 A. You would need a 40-amp switch for this.

Real-World Example: Installing Our 9-Inch Dual-Mode LED Lights

Let us put this theory into practice. I want to show you how to wire one of our most popular products, the 9-Inch Dual-Mode LED Driving Light. This light is unique because it has two distinct functions: a powerful high beam for off-roading and a stylish amber backlight for daily driving.

How do I wire a light with two different functions?

You split the connection between two different AUX switches to get independent control.

This is where having the AUX package is truly useful. You do not need to run messy wires through the firewall because Jeep has already done it for you. Here is exactly how I recommend wiring these lights to a Jeep JL or Gladiator:

Step 1: The Main High Beam (The Power Mode)

Connect the primary power wire (usually Red) from the light to the AUX 1 (Tan/Pink) wire.

Why? Because the main beam draws high power to light up the dark trail ahead. AUX 1 is rated for 40 Amps, so it can easily handle the load of two large driving lights. When you flip switch #1, you get full brightness.

Step 2: The Amber Backlight (The Style Mode)

Connect the backlight wire (usually Yellow or White) from the light to the AUX 3 (Orange/Pink) wire.

Why? The amber backlight consumes very little power. It is just for looks (DRL). Therefore, the 15 Amp rating of AUX 3 is more than enough.

The Result

By wiring it this way, you have total control.

• When you are on the highway, flip Switch 3 to enable the amber glow. It looks aggressive and cool without blinding other drivers.

• When you arrive at the trail, you flip Switch 1. Now, you have massive light output, turning the night into day.

This setup is clean, professional, and safe. It utilizes the factory system exactly how the engineers intended.

Advanced Geek Setting: Battery vs. Ignition

Connecting the wires is only half the battle. Because modern Jeeps are smart vehicles, you must also tell the computer how to treat your new accessories. You can actually program how each switch behaves directly through your Uconnect touchscreen.

How do I configure the switches?

Go to “Settings” on your dashboard screen, scroll down, and select “Aux Switches.”

Inside this menu, you will see options for each of the four switches. You can customize two main settings: the power source and the button type.

Should I choose Battery or Ignition?

I recommend choosing “Ignition” for driving lights and “Battery” for camping accessories.

If you select Ignition, the switch will only work when the engine is running or the key is in the “On” position. This is the safest setting for high-power items like our 9-inch driving lights. It ensures you don’t accidentally leave the lights on and drain your Battery while you sleep.

If you select Battery, the switch is connected directly to the battery power. It will work even when the engine is off. This is perfect for low-power camp lights or a fridge, allowing you to use them while the vehicle is parked.

What is the difference between Latch and Momentary?

“Latch” is for standard lights (click on, click off), while “Momentary” is for horns or winches (press to activate).

Most of the time, you will want Latch mode. This acts like a standard light switch. You press it once, and the light stays on until you press it again.

Momentary mode is different. The accessory is only active while your finger is physically holding the button down. As soon as you let go, it turns off. This is useful for an air horn or for bumping a winch, but it isn’t enjoyable for driving lights.

Conclusion: Build Your Dream Rig

Why should you do this yourself?

Because DIY is a core part of the Jeep culture.

Do not be afraid of the wiring. Now that you have this guide, those random colored wires under the hood are no longer a mystery. They are just potential waiting to be unlocked.

You have the color codes. You understand the difference between 15 Amps and 40 Amps. You even know how to program the dashboard computer. You are ready to install almost anything.

Ready to upgrade your lighting game?

If you are looking for lights that maximize the potential of your Jeep AUX switches, take a look at our Off-Road LED Lighting Collection. We design every light with the installer in mind, ensuring they are easy to wire and built to last.

Do you have more questions?

Drop a comment below.

I answer the technical questions personally. If you are stuck on a specific wire or need advice on a setup, let me know. I am happy to help a fellow enthusiast.

See you on the trails!

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