Chevrolet resurrected the Malibu name in 1997, after a 14-year absence from the maker's lineup. In 2004, Chevrolet redesigned the Malibu, giving it harder body lines and chrome trim spanning the front grille and rear bumper. In order to replace the license plate bulb on the rear of the 2004 Malibu, you must carefully remove the trunk lid appliqu. Fortunately, only three screws secure the appliqu to the trunk lid, making for quick removal.
Instructions
- 1
Look on the underside of the center part of the trunk appliqu -- the trim piece that spans the width of the trunk lid -- and locate the three screws securing it. Remove the three screws with a Phillips screwdriver. Grab the trunk appliqu and pull it outward to disengage its guide pins. Pull the appliqu downward and off the Malibu's trunk lid.
2Open the trunk and look through the holes where the trunk appliqu was, notice the tabs securing the license plate lights to the trunk lid. Press each tab inward, using a flat-head screwdriver, while pulling downward on the light until the light is free of the trunk lid.
3Twist the license plate light socket counterclockwise to unlock it and pull the socket and bulb from the license plate light. Pull the failed license plate bulb from the socket, using a slight wiggling motion.
4Grab a new type 194 light bulb, using a clean, lint-free cloth, and press it into the socket. The cloth protects the bulb from the oils on your hands, which can cause premature bulb failure.
5Insert the socket and new bulb into the license plate light and twist it clockwise to lock it into place.
6Press the license plate light into the trunk lid until the locking tabs snap into place.
7Reinstall the trunk lid appliqu onto the trunk lid, guiding the guide pins into the slots in the trunk lid. Tighten the three retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver and close the Malibu's trunk.
