1997 2003 Chevrolet Malibu Tail Lights Replacement 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Repair Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

                          20 - 35 minutes

Sections

Tail Lights
7 steps

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Back1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu
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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Tail Lights

Locate the plastic casing that holds the trunk liner in place, directly behind the tail light.
Unscrew the plastic casings.

Locate the plastic casing that holds the trunk liner in place, directly behind the tail light.

Unscrew the plastic casings.

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Step 2

Make sure to put some pressure on the tail light itself so it does not fall out when you unscrew it.
Unscrew the three plastic wing nuts located behind the tail lights.

Make sure to put some pressure on the tail light itself so it does not fall out when you unscrew it.

Unscrew the three plastic wing nuts located behind the tail lights.

Step 3

When the tail light assembly comes loose, do not fully remove it because it may damage the connected wires.
Carefully pull the tail light away from the car to expose the connected wires.

When the tail light assembly comes loose, do not fully remove it because it may damage the connected wires.

Carefully pull the tail light away from the car to expose the connected wires.

Step 4

Unclip the rear panel of the tail light assembly. There are two clips on the top and two on the bottom.
Remove the rear panel from the rest of the assembly.

Unclip the rear panel of the tail light assembly. There are two clips on the top and two on the bottom.

Remove the rear panel from the rest of the assembly.

Step 5

Do not pull on the bulb, handle it gently because it is fragile.
Grab the plastic base of the bulb and gently wiggle it free.

Do not pull on the bulb, handle it gently because it is fragile.

Grab the plastic base of the bulb and gently wiggle it free.

Step 6

When handling the new bulbs, avoid touching the glass as much as possible because this can reduce the life of the bulb.
Gently push the new bulb into the plastic housing.

When handling the new bulbs, avoid touching the glass as much as possible because this can reduce the life of the bulb.

Gently push the new bulb into the plastic housing.

Step 7

After putting the new bulbs in, turn the desired lights on to check that the newly installed bulbs work correctly.
These bulbs have different functions including blinkers, brake lights, hazard lights, and back-up lights. They will only turn on when the necessary signal is sent.

After putting the new bulbs in, turn the desired lights on to check that the newly installed bulbs work correctly.

These bulbs have different functions including blinkers, brake lights, hazard lights, and back-up lights. They will only turn on when the necessary signal is sent.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Sank Yang

Member since: 10/03/2012

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                       Cal Poly, Team 9-15, Amido Fall 2012                        

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What you need#

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Introduction

What you need

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