Engine Bay LED Lighting w/ Switch

Switched engine bay lighting on my ’07 Sport is hands down one of my favorite convenience mods. Here’s how I did it; as with everything, YMMV.

Materials:

$15 GreceYou Under Hood LED Light Kit, Waterproof 12V Car LED Lights Bars Car Hood Work Inspection Lights Underhood Work Light Kit with Automatic On/Off -Universal Fits Any Vehicle

LED strip (Amazon)

$10 DaierTek 12V Waterproof Round Rocker Switch Blue LED Lighted [UL Listed] ON Off 3 Pin 12 Volt 20A Weatherproof Illuminated Toggle for Marine Car RV Truck -5Pack

Switch (Amazon) (Amazon's pic shows 5 switches but you can order just one.) Electrical wire (~16 gauge)
Ring connector
Your choice of splice connector
Wire stripper
3/4“ keyhole bit



I didn’t want the LED strip to turn on automatically so I added a rocker switch. Mounting it here on the radiator shroud looked like the most convenient place.



Use a small, regular bit to drill a pilot hole then go to the ¾” keyhole bit to make the opening. Smooth the edges with sandpaper or a file, something I hadn’t done yet when I took the pic.



The installed switch looks clean.



Here's where to place the strip. Wipe the metal down first with alcohol on a rag to help ensure the best adhesion.



Run the wires through the wrap then route the wrap under the hood pad. I brought it out at the driver's side rear corner and used a zip tie to secure it there, then tucked and/or zip tied it along the inside top of the fender up to where the wires connect to the switch, battery, and ground.



The switch prongs, from left to right in this pic, are:
1. Left, dark colored: ground
2. Middle: Battery (constant 12V power)
3. Right: Red wire from the LED strip



It's been a minute so forgive me if this is off, but a black wire and a red wire come off the LED strip and - IIRC - this is how everything connects using the prong numbers listed above. Figuring it out is easy enough if this isn't exact:
1. Run a ground wire off the dark-colored switch prong, splice the black one from the LED strip to it, and connect it with the ring connector to the ground bolt as shown below.

2. Constant 12V goes to the battery; in my case, a Blue Sea Systems fuse box.

3. Connect the red wire from the LED strip to this prong.




Done. This mod is way up there in usefulness and bang for the buck.

 

Looks great! Thanks for the share!

 

Looks like a great way to destroy a spade bit.

But very good idea! I’ve thought about doing something similar.