How to Wire a 5-Pin LED Rocker Switch: An Illustrated Guide

Master the Most Common ON-OFF Illuminated Switch for a Professional Look

You’ve seen them in the cleanest custom truck dashboards and the most professional marine control panels: rocker switches that glow with a soft backlight and light up a second, brighter icon when you flip them on. This is the 5-pin SPST (Single Pole, Single Throw) ON-OFF rocker switch, and it's the gold standard for a professional-looking installation.

But with five pins on the back, wiring one can seem intimidating compared to a simple 2-pin switch. What do all those connections do?

Don't worry. The secret is simple: you're actually wiring two separate, easy-to-understand circuits in one component. This guide will break it down step-by-step, using clear diagrams and our video walkthrough to make you an expert.

Why Use a 5-Pin Illuminated Rocker Switch?

Before we wire, let's understand the benefits that make this switch so popular:

1. Independent Backlight: The lower half of the switch (often the text label) can be wired to your vehicle's dashboard light circuit. When you turn on your headlights, all your switches glow with a soft, uniform light, making them easy to find in the dark.

2. "ON" Indicator: The upper half of the switch (the icon) lights up only when the switch is flipped ON. This gives you immediate visual confirmation that your accessory—like a light bar or pump—is active.

3. Professional Aesthetic: It simply looks clean, integrated, and professional.

Understanding the 5 Pins: Two Circuits in One Switch

The key to wiring this switch is to stop thinking of it as one component with five confusing pins. Instead, think of it as two independent circuits sharing one housing: a main switch circuit and an illumination circuit.

Let's look at the back of a typical switch. The pins are clearly numbered.

The Main Switch Circuit (Pins 2 & 3)

This is the simple ON-OFF part.

• Pin 2 (Power IN): This is the power input for the switch. It receives 12V power from your fused power source.

• Pin 3 (Power OUT): When you flip the switch ON, it connects internally to Pin 2. This pin sends the 12V power out to your accessory (or, more correctly, to your relay's trigger - Pin 86).

The Illumination Circuit (Pins 7, 6, & 8)

This is the part that controls the two built-in LEDs.

• Pin 7 (Negative IN): This is the main ground for BOTH of the internal LEDs. It must be connected to a good chassis ground or your negative bus bar.

• Pin 6 (Positive IN for Lower "Dash" Light): This pin provides power to the lower, gentle backlight. To make it light up with your other dash lights, connect this to your vehicle's existing dashboard light circuit (often by tapping into a nearby switch's illumination wire).

• Pin 8 (Negative OUT for Upper "ON" Light): This pin is for the upper indicator light. This is the clever part: the upper light gets its positive power internally from Pin 2 when the switch is ON. Pin 8's job is to provide a path to ground for that light, completing the circuit and turning it on. Because it's connected to the main ground via Pin 7, it does this automatically.

How to Wire Your 5-Pin Rocker Switch (Step-by-Step)

For visual learners, our complete video guide walks through this entire process.

For a written guide, follow these steps, referencing the diagrams below.

1. Safety First: Disconnect your vehicle's negative battery terminal.

2. Connect Main Power (Pin 2): Run a wire from a fused 12V source to Pin 2. This will power your accessory.

3. Connect to Accessory/Relay (Pin 3): Run a wire from Pin 3 to the trigger on your relay (Pin 86 of a standard relay). Remember: This switch is rated for 20A, but you should ALWAYS use a relay for high-power devices like light bars, pumps, or winches.

4. Connect the Main Ground (Pin 7): Run a wire from Pin 7 to a solid chassis ground or your negative bus bar. This is critical for both lights to work.

5. Connect the Dash Light Power (Pin 6): Find a wire on a nearby factory switch that gets 12V power only when your headlights/dash lights are on. Tap into this wire and run it to Pin 6. This will make your new switch's backlight dim and turn on with the others.

6. Pin 8 requires no external connection. It is internally linked to the ground you provided on Pin 7.

7. Finalize and Test: Reconnect your battery. The lower light on your switch should turn on with your dash lights. When you press the switch, the upper light should illuminate brightly, and you should hear your relay "click" on.

Advanced Wiring Options: Customizing Your Switch's Illumination

Now that you've mastered the standard professional installation, let's explore other popular methods. The beauty of the 5-pin switch is its versatility. Depending on your needs, you can change the wiring slightly to make the indicator lights behave in different ways.

Method A: The Professional "Dash Light" Setup (Recommended)

This is the method we detailed above. It provides an independent backlight that syncs with your vehicle's dash lights and a separate "ON" indicator.

• How it Works: The lower "word" light is powered by the dash light circuit. The upper "icon" light is powered only when the switch is ON.

• Best For: Achieving a clean, factory/OEM look where all switches are easy to find in the dark when your headlights are on.

• Diagram

Method B: The Simple "Active Indicator" Setup

This is the easiest way to wire the switch if you only want the lights on when your accessory is active.

• How it Works: BOTH the upper and lower LEDs get their power only when the switch is flipped ON. When the switch is OFF, it is completely dark. This is achieved by "jumping" the two positive inputs together.

• Best For: Beginners, minimalist setups, or situations where you don't want any extra light on your dash unless the device is running.

• Diagram

To achieve this, you simply connect the main power input (from Pin 2) to the backlight power input (Pin 6) using a small jumper wire.

Method C: The "Locator Light" Setup (Always On Backlight)

What if you want to be able to find the switch in the dark, even when your dash lights are off? This method keeps the lower backlight on constantly.

• How it Works: The lower "word" light is connected to a constant 12V power source (always on), while the upper "icon" light still only turns on when the switch is active.

• Best For: Critical equipment on race cars, boats, or utility vehicles where you need to locate a switch instantly at any time, day or night.

• Diagram

Note: This method creates a very small, but constant, power draw on your battery.

Conclusion: Get the Professional Look with Confidence

That's it! By breaking it down into a simple switch circuit and a lighting circuit, the 5-pin rocker becomes easy to master. It's a simple upgrade that dramatically improves the function and appearance of any control panel.

Ready to build your own custom switch panel? Shop our entire collection of 5-Pin Rocker Switches and accessories here.