I just put a new bumper on my truck and I got one with 9 oval light slots. I bought the lights and a wiring harness. The thing that puzzles me is that there are 3 wires for each light. I haven't hooked them up yet and I'm sure I'll figure it out but only 2 wires are required for 12vdc operation. I'm assuming these could be used for directional lights also hence the third wire?

 

Sounds right to me. You could have each half blink for that side or maybe just have one or two blink on each end and leave the middle ones as just running lights. That's what I would do if it were me Just make sure you secure the harness real good so ice and snow that accumulates on the wires doesn't rip them out since this is low to the ground and road spray will be blasting that area even though it's on the backside of the bumper.

 

Good point, I never would have thought of that!!!

 

Are they a three plug style pig tail? There should be red, black and white
wires. Black is your power. White is the ground. Red is turn and brake. If you just want them to come on as running lights just connect the black and white wires(and I don't mean together). Do you have electrical grease? Before you plug each light in fill the female ends on the light with that grease, It just keeps the corrosion down. We usually unplug each light and refill with grease about twice a year.

 

Yup. They are already greased up inside the socket. Thanks for the tips!

 

You should smear a little bit more on each one. Not just what is inside of them now. Grease the face of the plug to keep the water out. It seems like over kill but if it is done now it saves you headaches down the road, especially if you have to start cutting into the harness to replace pigtails.