How to Change the Brake Light Bulb on a 1999 Chevy Cavalier

If your 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier has a burned-out brake light bulb, knowing how to change it will help you get your car legal and safe again. The Cavalier has brake lights as part of each taillight assembly. Cavaliers of this vintage also have a center-mounted rear brake light that is located on the rear spoiler on Z24 models or on top of the rear package shelf inside the car on other models.

Instructions

Taillight

1

Open the trunk lid or hatchback door. Remove the cargo net, if your car is so equipped. Locate the trunk mat fastener on the back panel of the trunk compartment, near the taillight. Unscrew the fastener by hand if your car has a cargo net. Pry the fastener up with a flat-head screwdriver if your car did not come equipped with the cargo net. Pull back the trunk mat to reveal the back side of the taillight assembly.

2

Grasp the taillight bulb socket on the back of the taillight assembly. Turn the socket in a counterclockwise direction one-quarter turn and pull it straight out of the assembly.

3

Grasp the bulb and pull it straight out of the bulb socket. Grasp a new 3057 combination taillight, turn signal and brake-light bulb and push the base into the socket until it is fully seated.

4

Push the socket -- bulb first -- back into its cavity on the back side of the taillight. Twist the socket in a clockwise direction until it locks into place.

5

Push the trunk mat back into place and replace the retaining faster. Replace the cargo net, if you car is so equipped. Close the trunk lid or hatchback door.

Center Brake Light Without Spoiler

6

Open the trunk lid or hatchback door. Locate the center brake light bulb access hole on the underside of the rear package shelf.

7

Grasp the center brake light bulb socket through the access hole and twist it in a counterclockwise direction one-quarter turn. Pull the socket straight down and out of the assembly.

8

Grasp the bulb and pull it straight out of the bulb socket. Grasp a new 1141 bulb and push the base into the socket until it is fully seated.

9

Push the socket -- bulb first -- back into its cavity on the underside of the center brake light through the access hole. Twist the socket in a clockwise direction until it locks into place.

10

Close the trunk lid or hatchback door.

Center Brake Light With Spoiler

11

Remove the retaining screws on the center brake light assembly on the rear spoiler with a Torx screwdriver.

12

Pull the center brake light assembly straight out of the spoiler.

13

Remove the faulty bulb by gently rocking it while pulling it straight out of the assembly.

14

Push a new 912 bulb or bulbs into the socket on the center brake light assembly until it is fully seated.

15

Push the center stop light assembly back into the spoiler. Replace the retaining screws and tighten them with a Torx screwdriver.