How To Change Low Beam Headlight On 2011 Chevy Malibu

2008-2012 Chevrolet Malibu Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to supplant the depression / loftier beam, turn betoken & side marker bulbs in the headlight of a 2008 to 2012 GM Chevy Malibu.

Replacing the headlight bulbs in a 7th generation (2008-2012) Chevy Malibu does require at least partially removing the forepart bumper in order to unbolt the headlight assembly and access the bulbs. I've replaced headlight bulbs on many vehicles and the 08-12 Malibu is by far the most time consuming one. But it's non a hard procedure if you follow the steps below.

08-12 Malibu Headlight
Black Plastic Radiator Cover
Remove 10mm Bolts This automotive maintenance "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners of the 7th generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012) General Motors Chevrolet Malibu in replacing a burnt out low beam, high axle, plough indicate or front side marker seedling in the headlight assembly.

Owners of other related GM vehicles such every bit the Buick Regal, Buick LaCrosse, Saab ix-5, 9-three, Opel Insignia, Saturn Aureola, Cadillac BLS, Fiat Croma, Opel Vectra, Signum and Pontiac G6 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

Replacement headlight bulbs for the 08-12 Malibu include the following with their office numbers: Low Beam # H11, High Beam H9, Front Plough Indicate 4157NA, and Front Side Marker 168.

The tools needed to complete this procedure include a 7mm socket, a 10 mm socket, a ratcheting wrench, a flat head screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers.

10mm Bolt By Hood Latch
Dissimilar Bolts At Center
Two Types of Bolts The get-go step is to remove the eleven 10mm bolts and four black plastic pop rivets that hold the radiator cover in place.

9 of the bolts are the exactly the same merely in that location are 2 10mm bolts with larger heads on either side of the hood latch mechanism near the front of the vehicle.

Pry Out Middle of Rivet
Pull Out Center of Pop Rivet
Pull Out Plastic Fastener To remove the four black plastic pop rivets near the front edge of the radiator embrace, pry out the center piece first with a flathead screwdriver and then pry out the outer piece from the cover.
11 Bolts & iv Plastic Fasteners
Remove Radiator Cover
Front Bike In one case y'all are done removing all of the bolts and pop rivets, set them bated in a prophylactic identify such equally a small parts case or in a Tupperware container. You should have two large head 10mm bolts, 9 regular head 10mm bolts, and four blackness plastic pop rivets with their center pieces.

Carefully lift off the radiator encompass and set it bated in a condom place.

Turn Wheels To Left
Remove 7mm Screws To brand more room to work in the cycle well liner expanse, turn the steering bike all the manner to the opposite side of your burnt out headlight bulb.

Some people may choose to remove the cycle entirely for easier access to the wheel well liner.

If you program on replacing both headlight bulbs at the same time, it may exist easier to just remove both front end wheels and secure the vehicle with 2 jack stands.

Movement to the front of the vehicle and lay downwardly beneath the front bumper. Locate the black 7mm screws along the black plastic underbody cover and remove them with a socket or wrench.

In that location is also one black plastic rivet that needs to be removed per side of the underbody comprehend.

If you are only replacing bulbs in one headlight assembly, y'all'll only need to remove 4-6 7mm screws and 1 pop rivet.

Pry Out Xmas Tree Fastener
Four 7mm Screws & 1 Rivet
Wheel Well Liner Next move to the wheel well liner and locate the black plastic pop rivets or "Christmas Tree" fasteners that hold it in place.
Pry Out Christmas Tree Rivets
Pull With Needle Nose Pliers In that location are three plastic rivets forth the edge of the wheel well liner and 1 a few inches in towards the engine bay.
4 Bike Well Clips Removed
Pull Back Bicycle Well Liner
Organize Bolts & Screws Once all four cycle well fasteners have been removed, you can peel back the liner in order to admission the last two 10mm bolts that hold the bumper cover in place.

Exist certain to keep all of the bolts, screws and rivets organized for easy re-associates subsequently.

Front Bumper Cover Bracket
Two 10mm Bolts
Remove 1st 10mm Bolt In that location is ane 10mm bolt closer to the wheel well and some other a few inches in towards the front of the vehicle.

The closest 10mm bolt needs to be removed entirely. The 2nd inner commodities just needs to be loosened a bit.

Outer Bolt Removed
Liner Propped Open up
Loosen Inner 10mm Commodities To make it easier to remove the first bolt and loosen the inner bolt, prop open up the wheel well liner with some rags, a safe mallet or some other soft item that won't impairment the trunk work.
Pull Off Side of Bumper
Inner 10mm Commodities Even so In Identify
Pulling Off Bumper Cover Once the bolt closest to the wheel well has been removed and the inner bolt has been loosened a few turns, you tin gently pull the bumper embrace away from the side of the vehicle.

If the side of the bumper doesn't pull abroad with moderate force, you may need to loosen the inner 10mm bolt a few more turns. Try to avoid removing it entirely, since it may exist difficult to re-insert.

Pull Off Top of Bumper
Headlight Bolts Accessible
Side 10mm Commodities Move to the front of the car and gently pull the bumper cover away from the headlight assembly.
10mm Socket - Remove Bolt
Remove Front Lower Bolt
2 Silver Bolts - Bracket The headlight associates is held in place by iv 10 mm bolts.

At that place is one black commodities on the side of the vehicle, ane black commodities at the front of the headlight, and two argent bolts that agree a black plastic subclass in place simply in a higher place the headlight lens.

2 Blackness Bolts, 2 Silvery
Pull Off Black Plastic Bracket
Pull Headlight Housing Off Prepare the four 10mm headlight bolts bated in a safety identify, preferably with a Post-It note to aid you lot remember where they go during re-assembly.

Pull off the black plastic subclass above the headlight.

At present the headlight assembly tin can finally be pulled away from the front of the vehicle.

Turn the headlight assembly upside down and gently remainder it on the bumper. To assist avoid scratching the plastic headlight lens or the painted surfaces of the vehicle, identify a rag in betwixt the headlight and the bumper.

Turn Headlight Upside Down
High Beam Bulb
i/4 Plow Counter Clockwise The Loftier Beam bulb is located near the center line of the vehicle and has a light blueish plastic label.

Grasp the base of the seedling with your thumb and forefinger. Rotate the base one/4 turn counter clockwise to unlock it from the assembly. Pull the bulb straight out of the headlight housing.

Pull Out High Axle Bulb
Pry Off Power Connector
Power Connector & Bulb Apply a small flathead screwdriver to gently pry off the high axle bulb'south power connector.
Philips H9 Bulb 12V 65W
Insert New H9 Bulb
i/4 Plough Clockwise To Lock Avert touching the glass function of the new halogen seedling. If you do bear on the bulb or information technology gets muddied, wipe it clean with a paper towel moistened with rubbing booze earlier installing information technology.

Insert a new H9 high beam seedling straight into the headlight housing and rotate the base i/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Low Beam Calorie-free Bulb
1/4 Turn Counter Clockwise
Pull Out Erstwhile Low Beam The Low Beam headlight bulb is located closer to the outside edge of the vehicle and has a bright green plastic label.

Rotate the base of the bulb 1/4 plough counter clockwise earlier pulling information technology straight out of the headlight housing.

Pry Off Power Plug
Power Plug & Depression Beam
Philips H11 LL 12V 55W Use a pocket-size flathead screwdriver to gently pry off the low beam'due south power connector clips and split the bulb.
Insert New H11 Bulb
1/4 Plow Clockwise
Sidemarker Bulb Socket Insert a new H11 depression axle bulb straight into the headlight assembly and rotate it 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it into place.
1/iv Turn Counter Clockwise
Pull Out Side Marking Bulb
# 168 Bulb The Side Marker light bulb is located at the outer edge of the headlight associates.

Rotate the side marking light socket i/iv plow counter clockwise and pull information technology directly out of the headlight.

Pull the side marker seedling straight out of the socket and push in a new # 168 bulb.

If yous would like to take brighter side mark lights, install some uniform replacement 168 LED bulbs.

Insert the seedling and socket dorsum into the headlight and rotate it 1/4 plough clockwise to secure it in identify.

one/4 Plow Clockwise
Plough Signal Seedling Socket
Pull Off Wire Loom The turn point lite bulb socket is located at the inner border of the headlight assembly.

Gently pull the wire loom away from the rear of the headlight to make some slack. Then rotate the turn signal bulb'due south socket 1/iv turn counter clockwise and pull it straight out of the headlight.

1/iv Turn Counter Clockwise
Pull Out Sometime Turn Signal Bulb
# 4157NA Turn Signal Bulb Pull the old turn signal lite bulb straight out of the socket.

Push in a new # 4157NA (or 5702NAK) amber colored light bulb straight into the socket.

Insert the plough bespeak socket back into the headlight and rotate it 1/four turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Alternate Seedling # 5702NAK
Re-adhere Wire Loom
Line Up Plastic Spikes Re-attach the wire loom to the rear of the headlight housing.

It would be a skillful idea to test the new light bulb(s) now before re-assembling the bumper.

Turn the headlight back over and line upwardly the plastic spikes on the rear with the holes in the automobile'south metallic trunk work.

Insert Peg Into Hole
Headlight Associates Replaced

Tighten 10mm Side Bolt Push button the headlight back into place until the plastic spikes are fully seated.

Insert the black 10mm bolt on the side of the headlight and tighten it with the socket and ratcheting wrench.

Insert Black Front end Commodities
Re-Attach Black Bracket
Black Bracket In Place Insert the 2nd black 10mm bolt into the front end of the headlight housing and tighten information technology.

Re-adhere the black plastic subclass in identify over the peak border of the headlight. Insert and tighten the two silver 10mm bolts.

Insert 2 Silver 10mm Bolts
Line Up Front Bumper
Lower Bumper Over Bracket Line up the front of the bumper and gently push it towards the vehicle.

Lower the top part of the bumper over the black plastic bracket until the bumper is flush with the quarter panel.

Top Of Bumper In Place
Insert Bumper Side Over Bracket
Side of Bumper Installed Next insert the side of the bumper over the black plastic subclass by the bike well.
Examination New Headlight Bulbs
Line Up Bumper & Bracket
Insert Closer 10mm Bolt If you haven't already, test the new headlight seedling(s) before continuing the re-associates process.

Pull bated the bicycle well liner and insert the 10mm bolt back into the closest hole. Tighten the closest 10mm bolt and also the other one located a few inches frontwards of the wheel well.

Farther 10mm Bolt
Tighten Both 10mm Bolts
Wheel Well Liner Line upward the black plastic cycle well liner with the holes in the bumper cover and re-insert the Xmas tree fasteners.
Insert Plastic Pop Rivets
Line Up Liner & Hole
Bottom Of Bumper Button all iv black plastic pop rivets firmly into the cycle well until they are affluent with the liner.
Insert Xmas Tree Fastener
Insert 7mm Screws
Tighten 7mm Screws Move to the underbody cover located beneath the bumper and insert the 7mm screws. Tighten the 7mm screws and re-insert the black plastic popular rivet fastener.
Replace Plastic Radiator Cover
Replace 11 Bolts & 4 Rivets
two Large Bolts - Front Eye Place the black plastic radiator cover back over the meridian of the engine bay.

Supervene upon the 9 standard 10mm bolts, the two large head 10mm bolts (front center almost hood latch), and the 4 black pop rivets (front edge).

10mm Bolt By Latch
four Pop Rivets - Front end Corners
Insert Center of Rivet To re-install the black plastic pop rivets, first insert the larger outer piece then push button in the smaller piece into the heart.
Tighten 11 10mm Bolts
Re-Assembly Complete
Test Depression, High Beam, Signal Tighten all 11 of the 10mm bolts and close the hood of the car to complete the chore.

Be sure to record the bulb change in your vehicle'due south service records.

Please cheque out my other 2008-2012 Chevy Malibu Repair & Maintenance Guides.