How to Change the Center Brake Light Bulb on a 99 Cavalier

The Cavalier popped onto the automotive scene in the 1982 model year as the much-needed replacement for the "Vette" -- the Chevette, that is. The initial Cavalier came fitted with an 88-horsepower, 1.8-liter engine. The 1999 Cavalier came fitted with a 115-horsepower, 2.2-liter engine standard, but the Z24 package Cavalier included a 2.4-liter engine that cranked out 150 horsepower. The Cavalier also came standard with antilock brakes and a center, high-mounted stoplight to keep your family safe while braking. Replacing the bulb in the center, high-mounted stoplight seems tricky, as a trim panel covers it, but it's actually relatively easy to do once you remove the panel.

Instructions

1

Lay the rear seats flat, exposing the four clips that secure the rear window panel. Pry up on the center portion of each clip with a flat-head screwdriver to unlock it. Pry the clips out of the rear window panel. Pull the rear window panel out of the Cavalier.

2

Open the Cavalier's trunk and look on the top-rear of the trunk with a flashlight to locate the bottom of the center, high-mount stoplight assembly. Push up on the high-mount stoplight assembly and then push it towards the front of the Cavalier.

3

Pull the center, high-mount stoplight assembly from the rear window deck and turn it over to expose the light bulb. Unplug the wiring harness plugging into the high-mount stoplight assembly.

4

Grab the rear of the stoplight bulb and turn it counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the bulb from the high-mount stoplight assembly.

5

Pull the old bulb from the socket with a slight wiggling motion. Grab the new 1141 bulb with a clean, lint-free cloth and press it into the socket. Do not touch the bulb with your bare hands, as the oils left behind can cause the bulb to burn out prematurely.

6

Connect the wiring harness to the center, high-mount stoplight assembly. Place the high-mount stoplight assembly back in the holes in the rear window deck and slide it toward the rear of the Cavalier to lock it into place.

7

Sit the rear window panel back on the rear window deck. Insert the plastic clips into the holes in the trim and press the center portion of the clips inward to lock them in place.

8

Pull the rear seats back up and close the trunk.