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Troubleshooting Chevrolet Malibu Tail Light Assembly Problems

A malfunctioning Chevrolet Malibu tail light assembly can lead to a ticket or, even worse, a higher risk of accident on the road, but identifying and fixing tail light problems is not that particularly difficult. In this guide, we'll show you some troubleshooting tips on common tail light problems for the Chevrolet Malibu.

One of the lights stopped working

If a single tail light stops functioning, the most likely cause is a burned-out tail light bulb. Check the bulb and see if the filaments are broken, the bulb has blacked out or are shattered and in need of replacement. However, if the bulbs are in fairly good condition, damaged or loose wiring might be the culprit. Check the wiring near the tail light and under the car for fraying, cuts and other types of damage. Also, check connections to see whether they are still solid and if the internal surfaces are not covered in rust. Replace any damaged or corroded wiring if necessary.

Multiple light failure

If more than one bulb has failed in the tail light assembly, the likely cause of the problem is a blown fuse. The location of the fuse box in the Chevrolet Malibu depends on the model year, although they are usually located under the battery cover on the driver's side, inside the trunk on the driver's side, near the floorboards on the passenger's side and under the dashboard on the passenger's side. Open the fuse box and look at the thin metal strip inside the fuses - if the strip is broken, the fuse has blown. Replace any blown fuses with new ones.

Dim tail lights

If the Chevrolet Malibu tail lights are emitting a dim glow, it's likely because of a bad grounding of the tail light sockets. Locate and remove out the tail light ground connector and check for rust and deterioration - moisture often enters the compartment of the tail light connector, causing it to rust. Remove rust using sandpaper or, if the connector is already badly damaged, replace it with a solderless ring connector. Once the connector has been cleaned or replaced, return it to the vehicle. Check if the screws securing the connector are rusted as well and clean or replace them if needed.