How Do I Change a Bulb in the Brake Light Assembly for a 2000 Grand Am?

The 2000 Pontiac Grand Am featured integrated tail light assemblies that housed the rear running lights, brake lights and reverse lights all in one. In the event a brake light bulb burns out, replace it immediately before you can safely and legally operate the Grand Am. Pontiac suggests inspecting the exterior lights twice a month and correcting any issues as soon as you discover them. Inspect the brake lights easily by backing into a parking space in front of a glass-fronted store and looking in the rear-view mirror to see if the brake lights reflect in the glass.

Instructions

1

Open the Grand Am's trunk lid. Remove the cargo net from the rear of the trunk. Pull back the trunk trim for the rear wall of the trunk to expose the wing-nut bolts that hold the tail light assembly to the Grand Am.

2

Unscrew the wing-nut bolts by hand to release the tail lamp assembly. Pull the tail lamp assembly backward, off the rear of the Grand Am.

3

Rotate the brake light bulb socket counterclockwise to unlock it and then pull it out of the tail lamp assembly. Pull the old brake light bulb out of the socket and throw it away. Plug the new 3157 bulb into the socket.

4

Install the bulb socket into the tail lamp assembly by inserting it into place and then turning it clockwise to lock it to the assembly.

5

Place the tail lamp assembly on the rear of the Grand Am. Reinstall the retaining wing-nuts by hand. Push the trunk trim back into place, reinstall the cargo net and close the trunk lid.