headlight wire color chart

Headlight wire color chart (and how to test safely)

If you’re wiring lights or diagnosing a headlight issue, the first thing to know is: wire colors are not universal. They vary by manufacturer, model year, and sometimes even by trim.

So why do people use “color charts”?

Because they help you form a starting guess – but you should always confirm with a multimeter or wiring diagram.

Typical headlight circuits

• Ground (often black, but not always)
• Low beam power
• High beam power
• DRL / parking depending on design

How to identify wires the right way

1. Find a good chassis ground.
2. Back-probe the connector (don’t pierce insulation if you can avoid it).
3. Turn on low beams, then high beams, and measure voltage.
4. Label what you confirmed.

Safety notes

• Use the correct fuse rating.
• Don’t overload factory wiring with high-draw lights.
• If you’re working around HID systems, be cautious – high voltage is involved.

If you tell me your year/make/model and what you’re trying to wire, I can help you narrow down the likely pins and what to test.