Safety Glasses
Nitrile Gloves
Load Equalizer
Pliers
Drill
Self-Tapping Screws
Screwdriver
Start by removing the tail light assembly where you’ll be working. In our case, we’ll raise the rear hatch and remove the two screws securing the tail light assembly.
A load equalizer uses electrical resistance to simulate the power requirements of traditional incandescent bulbs. This is required for LED lighting because the original bulbs likely required more energy to work properly, and the low energy draw of an LED bulb may signal to the system that the bulb has burned out.While you may not need a load equalizer for all LED lights, load equalizers installed in the turn signal circuit can help keep your new LED turn signals and other lighting components working as they should.
Performing a load equalizer installation is a simple modification that offers a cost-effective solution to upgrading your car to LED bulbs. Learn more about this job with our helpful, detailed instructions and video.
Our detailed video and step-by-step instructions show how to install a Sylvania load equalizer on a 2008 Ford Escape, which is already equipped with traditional brake light, tail light, and turn signal bulbs. This process will be similar for most vehicles, but be sure to know the specifics for your vehicle before getting started. If you’re not completely comfortable doing this yourself, we’d be happy to recommend a professional technician in your area.
Step 1: Remove The Tail Light Assembly
Step 2: Pull The Tail Light Assembly Away from Vehicle
Once the screws are removed, pull the tail light assembly straight back to disengage it from the vehicle. Be sure to pull the assembly backward carefully to avoid damage to the wiring, bulb housings, or the assembly itself.
Step 3: Locate The Wiring For Your Turn Signal
In some cases, the wiring to each bulb socket will be very apparent, as it is on the Escape.
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Do It Right: Some vehicles may have a plug and connector that contains all of the wiring for each bulb in the tail light assembly — more on what to do in this circumstance later. |
Step 4: Ensure The Load Equalizer Wires Can Reach & Connect Them
Once you’ve found your turn signal bulb wires, make sure your load equalizer can reach an internal metal surface of your vehicle and that the wiring can reach the turn signal wires. If not, the load equalizer wires can be extended to reach from the mounting location to the turn signal wiring.
If the turn signal lamp is a double-filament or three-wire socket, you’ll need to determine which socket wire color to use. Look at the wire colors on each turn signal socket. The common wire is usually the same on both sides of the vehicle, as well as the position wire color. However, the turn signal circuit wire color is typically different on the left than it is on the right — those are the wires that you’ll attach one side of the load equalizer to. The other side of each load equalizer is attached to the common wire. You can also use a multimeter or test light to determine which wire receives power when the turn signal is activated.
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Do It Right: The color of your wires may vary. To help identify the proper wires, watch this section of our How-to video. |
Step 5: Clip The Trailer Splices Over The Wires
Clip the trailer splices over the ends of one of the turn signal wires and the load resistor wire. It doesn’t matter which one as both wires will be used and the load resistor doesn’t specify a current flow direction.
Step 6: Secure The Clips With Pliers
Once clipped, use pliers to ensure the clips are closed completely.
Step 7: Install the Load Resistor
Now you need to install the load resistor to a flat metal surface on your car’s body to dissipate the heat generated by high electrical resistance. Your equalizer is supplied with a large heat sink to prevent it from overheating. Use your drill and self-tapping screws to install the resistor on metal where the screws won’t be visible. Once that’s done, test your turn signal or other LED lights to make sure they’re working as they should. Then you can move to the other side of the vehicle.
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Do It Right: Make sure the heat sink won’t be touching the tail light assembly once it’s reinstalled, or the plastic could melt. |
Step 8: Use A Multimeter To Find The Correct Wires
If you need to find the correct wires for your load equalizer installation on a tail light assembly with a single connector and don’t have a wiring diagram or schematic for your vehicle, use a multimeter set to continuity to find the correct wires.
Step 9: Find Continuity On Your Replacement Bulb Socket
On most multimeters, the continuity setting will look like a speaker and it will emit a tone if continuity is present. Figure out which bulb you are replacing and remove the bulb socket. Then, touch one lead on the multimeter to one of the contacts on the body of the tail light assembly, and use the other to touch the connector on the assembly until you find continuity.
Step 10: Identify The Wires On The Single Connector
Once you find continuity to both points on the assembly socket opening, look at the wiring and connector on the vehicle and trace the contacts back to the wire that is connected to the same point on the connector. Follow the previous instructions to install the load equalizer on these two wires.
These step-by-step instructions detail how to install a Sylvania LED load equalizer or load resistor on most vehicles. O’Reilly Auto Parts carries load equalizers, LED bulbs, and more for your car, truck, or SUV to help keep you safe and on the road.
The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.