my friend has a 1998 chevy malibu that has a rear tail light that burns out frequently. it does not happen imediately after relpacement but within 24 hours. he went to a NHTSA board and they stated that it was the contact over heating. has anyone run across this and if so, how do i/he fix it. does the light assembly need to be replaced or what. thanks john
I had one of those cars ,same year,same problem.I replaced bulbs but that didn't solve the problem.I'm pretty sure that you need to rerplace the lamp assy.
malibu john, first of all make sure you are putting in the right number bulb. sometimes 2 bulbs can look the same and only one might be the right one. check the socket where the bulb sits in. sometimes moisture can get in and ruin the socket. if thats the case replace the socket, not the whole assembly
Nothing is harder to work on than a bad electrical system. I wish I could take apart cars at the dealer to inspect the quality of their electrical systems.
bulbs Hey John, I deal with those kind of bulbs all day long it could be a bad ground causing the bulb to burn out faster from drawing to much Amps, My opionion its a bad design, cause the plasitic cover cant handle the heat of the bulb. Most of the time i have to replace the intire assy. Goodluck LATER...............
taillights - leakers gm also had a terrible water leakage problem with these taillights. instead of replacing them , they sent a rep around to the dealers to reseal them .
John, the following text is from a GM bulletin on taillight subject. Technical-Stop/Tail Lamp(s) Inoperative or Intermittent and/or Water in Lamp (Replace Circuit Board/Gasket and/or Lamp Assembly) #00-08-42-007A - (07/09/2002) Stop/Tail Lamp(s) Inoperative or Intermittent and/or Water in Lamp (Replace Circuit Board/Gasket and/or Lamp Assembly) 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu 1999-2003 Pontiac Grand Am This bulletin is being revised to add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-08-42-007 (Section 08 - Body and Accessories). Condition Some customers may comment that a stop and/or tail lamp may not work correctly, or that the tail lamp has water in it. Cause This condition may be caused by the circuit board and/or gasket. Correction Remove the lamp assembly from the vehicle. Use the information below to diagnose and repair the lamp assembly. If the base of the stop/tail lamp bulb is distorted, replace only the circuit board and gasket, as well as the bulb. If the lamp leaks (has water in it, as opposed to condensation) but the reflective surfaces inside the lamp are not discolored, replace the circuit board and gasket. Replace the lamp assembly only if the following condition(s) exist: The lamp is discolored internally. The lens is cracked. A locking tab is broken. The reflective surface is discolored. After replacing the circuit board, ensure that all locking tabs are securely fastened to the circuit board. Parts Information Part Number Model Description 9441839 Malibu & Grand Am Bulb (3057) 22622414 Malibu Board, Tail Lamp Circuit (Right) 12335395 Grand Am 22622415 Malibu Board, Tail Lamp Circuit (Left) 12335396 Grand Am Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
thanks for al of your help. i have given the info to my friend. i really appreciate the help from this board. this is the seond time you guys have bailed me out on non-buick questions. thanks again! john
