How to Troubleshoot Lighting Problems on a Malibu

If your Chevrolet Malibu is experiencing issues with its lights, there are two components that you should check: the light's fuse and the light's bulb. These are the two most common problems that can occur with any vehicle's lights and, thankfully, they are simple to repair. Replacing the faulty component with a new one will fix the issue. Ensure that you always have the lights operational as they are important for your overall safety while driving.

Instructions

Headlights and Turn Signals

1

Open the hood of the Malibu and remove the cover from the fuse block. Locate the fuses in slot 7, 9, 11 and 12. If the metal rod in any of those fuses is broken, use a fuse puller to remove the fuse and replace it with a new 10A fuse.

2

Remove the rear cover from the headlamp assembly and disconnect the wiring connector.

3

Remove the desired bulb from the light assembly by rotating it counterclockwise and pulling it out of its socket. The turn signal bulb is the smallest bulb. The innermost bulb is the high-beam light and the outermost bulb is the low-beam light.

4

Install a replacement bulb into the assembly. The turn signals use 3156-type bulbs and both headlight bulbs use H11-type bulbs.

5

Reattach the wiring connector and the rear cover. Close the hood.

Taillights

6

Open the hood of the Malibu and remove the cover from the fuse block. Locate the fuses in slot 22 and 23. If the metal rod in any of those fuses is broken, use a fuse puller to remove the fuse and replace it with a new 10A fuse. Close the trunk.

7

Open the trunk and remove the carpet if equipped. Remove the three wing nuts from the inboard side of the taillight assembly.

8

Pull the taillight assembly out of the vehicle and disconnect its electrical connector. Remove the desired bulb. The bottom bulb is the turn signal bulb and the top bulb is the brake light. Rotate the bulb counterclockwise and pull it out to remove it.

9

Install a replacement bulb into the taillight assembly. The turn signal uses a 3156 bulb and the brake light uses a 921 bulb.

10

Reassemble the taillight assembly into the trunk and reinstall the electrical connector. Reinstall the three wing nuts, place the carpet back into the trunk, and close the trunk lid.