How to Change the Turn Signal on the 2001 Chevy Impala

When Chevrolet reintroduced the Impala in the 2000 model year, there were few resemblances between it and the classic Impalas of the 1950s and 1960s. The only real similarity was the fact that the classic Impalas had dual headlights and segmented taillights. Chevrolet attempted to simulate this by segmenting the headlight assemblies into three sections -- one for each headlight bulb and one for the turn signal bulb. The taillights had two rounded inserts to give them a circular look when the lights are on. Replacing the turn signal bulbs in the 2001 Impala requires removal of the headlight assembly of the taillight assembly, depending on which bulb you are replacing.

Instructions

Open the Impala's hood. Remove the air baffle -- the plastic component at the front of the engine compartment -- by prying the retaining clips from it using a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the air baffle from the engine compartment.

Locate the headlight assembly retaining stakes -- the white, plastic posts on either side of the headlight assembly. Pull the headlight stakes upward and out of the headlight assembly to remove them.

Pull the headlight assembly from the front of the vehicle. Pull the rubber dust cover from behind the turn signal bulb.

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

Pull the old bulb from the socket, using a slight wiggling motion. Press a new 3457NA bulb into the socket, using a clean, lint-free cloth. Don't touch the bulb with your bare hands, as the oils from your hands may cause premature failure of the bulb.

Guide the socket and new bulb back into the rear of the headlight assembly by lining up the tabs on the socket with the notches in the headlight assembly. Twist the socket clockwise to lock it into place.

Press the dust cap back onto the rear of the headlight assembly.

Set the headlight back on the front of the Impala. Hold light rearward pressure on the headlight and reinstall the headlight assembly retaining stakes.

Position the air baffle back on the Impala and press the retaining pins to secure it in place.

Open the Impala's trunk. If applicable, remove the cargo net from the trunk compartment.

Remove the two carpet-retaining plastic wing nuts behind the taillight assembly. Pull the carpeting away from the rear of the taillight assembly.

Remove the two wing nuts on the rear of the taillight assembly. Pull the taillight assembly from the Impala.

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

Pull the turn signal bulb from the socket, using a slight wiggling motion. Insert a new 3057 bulb into the socket, using a clean, lint-free cloth. Touching the bulb with your bare hands may cause premature bulb failure.

Insert the socket and new bulb into the taillight assembly, lining up the tabs on the socket with the notches in the taillight assembly. Twist the socket clockwise to lock it into place.

Set the taillight assembly back onto the Impala and tighten the plastic wing nuts. Position the carpeting back into its place behind the taillight assembly and tighten the carpet-retaining wing nuts.

Reinstall the cargo net, if needed, and close the Impala's trunk.