How to Change the Turn Signal Bulb on a 2004 Chevy Malibu

Chevrolet reintroduced the Malibu in the 1997 model year, after a 14-year hiatus. The newly released Malibu shared little with its predecessor, as the new version came as an economical, front-driven sedan. In 2004, Chevrolet completely redesigned the Malibu, giving it hard body lines and aggressive-looking headlight and taillight assemblies. Within each of the aggressive headlight assemblies sat a turn signal bulb and two headlight bulbs. Inside each taillight assembly was a brake light bulb, reverse light bulb and a taillight and turn signal combination bulb. Replacing the turn signal bulb in the Malibu requires removing either the taillight or headlight assembly, depending if it's the rear or front bulb.

Instructions

Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement

1

Open the Malibu's hood and remove the two bolts on top of the headlight assembly, using a ratchet and socket. Carefully pull the headlight assembly from the front of the Malibu.

2

Remove the outermost circular, rubber cover on the rear of the headlight assembly, by rotating it counterclockwise and pulling it off the assembly.

3

Twist the turn signal socket counterclockwise to unlock it. Pull the turn signal socket and bulb from the headlight assembly.

4

Pull the bulb from the socket, using a slight wiggling motion. Push a new 3157 bulb, using a clean, lint-free cloth, into the socket. The cloth prevents the oils on your hands from contacting the bulb and causing premature bulb failure.

5

Insert the socket and new bulb into the rear of the headlight assembly and turn the socket clockwise to lock it in place. Reinstall the rubber cover over the bulb, and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.

6

Line the holes in the rear of the headlight assembly up with the mounting pins on the front of the Malibu. Press the headlight assembly onto the front of the Malibu and tighten the two bolts to 1 to 2 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

7

Close the Malibu's hood.

Rear Turn Signal Bulb Replacement

8

Open the trunk and remove the two screws holding the taillight assembly to the trunk lid jamb, using a Phillips screwdriver. Carefully pull the carpeting behind the taillight assembly down and remove the plastic wing nut on the rear of the taillight assembly.

9

Pull the taillight assembly from the rear of the Malibu.

10

Twist the turn signal socket --- the lowermost socket on the rear of the assembly --- counterclockwise to unlock it and pull it from the taillight assembly. Pull the burned-out bulb from the socket, using a slight wiggling motion.

11

Grab a new 3057 light bulb, using a clean, lint-free cloth and press the new bulb into the turn signal socket. Insert the turn signal socket and new bulb into the taillight assembly and twist it clockwise to lock it in place.

12

Set the taillight assembly back on the Malibu. Tighten the plastic wing nut on the rear of the taillight assembly and pull the carpeting back into its original position. Tighten the two taillight assembly screws, using a Phillips screwdriver. Close the Malibu's trunk.