Tail Light Assembly in a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire

Your 2003 Pontiac Sunfire may not be road-legal if it has a malfunctioning or broken taillight assembly. The Sunfire -- a small car based on the Chevrolet Cavalier -- has taillight assemblies that each contain a single combination tail, stop and turn signal bulb. The bulb can be replaced if burned out, but the entire assembly may need to be replaced if the taillight is cracked or broken.

Instructions

Replace Bulb

1

Open the rear hatch or trunk lid and remove the cargo net from the trunk compartment by unscrewing the fastener near the taillight assembly. Pry the fastener that holds the trunk trim to the rear panel with a flat-blade screwdriver if your car did not come equipped with the cargo net.

2

Pull the trunk trim down and away from the rear of the taillight assembly.

3

Grasp the back side of the taillight bulb socket and twist it in a counterclockwise direction one-eighth turn. Pull the socket straight out of the taillight assembly.

4

Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket. Push a new 3057 bulb into the socket until it is fully seated. Push the socket into the back of the taillight assembly and twist it in a clockwise direction until it locks into place.

5

Push the trunk trim back into place. Screw the fastener back in for cars with a cargo mat. Push the fastener back in until it is fully seated for cars without a cargo net. Replace the cargo net, if applicable. Close the hatch or trunk door.

Replace Taillight Assembly

6

Open the rear hatch or trunk lid and remove the cargo net from the trunk compartment by unscrewing the fastener near the taillight assembly. Pry the fastener that holds the trunk trim to the rear panel with a flat-blade screwdriver if your car did not come equipped with the cargo net.

7

Pull the trunk trim down and away from the rear of the taillight assembly.

8

Grasp the back side of the taillight bulb socket and twist it in a counterclockwise direction one-eighth of a turn. Pull the socket straight out of the taillight assembly.

9

Loosen and remove the three taillight retaining nuts from the rear panel surrounding the bulb socket cavity, with a socket and ratchet wrench. Place the nuts aside. Pull the assembly straight out from outside the car.

10

Line up the threaded mounting studs in the back side of the new taillight assembly with the mounting holes in the rear of the car. Push the taillight into place. Thread the nuts onto the studs protruding through the inside of the trunk compartment and tighten them with a socket and ratchet wrench. Replace the bulb socket, trunk trim and cargo net if applicable. Close the hatch or trunk door.