How to Change the Brake Lights on a '95 Chevy Lumina
Changing the brake lights on your Lumina is a simple do-it-yourself job. It is always advised that if you change one bulb, you change the opposite, as well. Brake lights operate for a pre-specified amount of kilowatt hours. Changing them all, instead of individually, will lengthen the time before the next burned-out light repair.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench set
- Black electrical tape
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Latex gloves
- Dielectric grease
- Brake lights
Instructions
-
Car Battery Safety & Accessing the Brake Lights
-
1
Disconnect the car's negative battery cable with your socket wrench. Completely wrap the metal end of the cable's terminal with the black tape. The negative post and cable on your battery are marked with a minus sign.
-
2
Pop the trunk of your Lumina and remove all debris from the trunk so that the work area is clear.
-
-
3
Use the flat-head screwdriver and pop out all six of the carpet screws on the back license plate wall.
-
4
Lay the carpet down flat, so that you are able to see the metal frame wall. If your trunk has plastic trim along the license plate wall, once you remove the trim clips, set the trim outside of your work area.
Removing the Brake Light Bulb
-
5
Untwist the four retaining nuts holding the tail light to the license plate wall, if your trunk is carpeted. Gently pull the tail light away from the car, but don't let it hang and stress the wires. Locate the brake light bulb on the lighting assembly. It will be the biggest bulb there, and its harness will have three wires attached to it.
-
6
Put on your latex gloves and remove the brake light harness. Do this by pressing down the right clip and turning the harness counter-clockwise.
-
7
Slowly remove the bulb and harness from the lighting assembly. Gently push down on the bulb, and release it by turning it counter-clockwise.
Installing a New Brake Light Bulb
-
8
Place a small dab of the dielectric grease on the two contacts at the bottom of the brake light bulb. Use extreme care, so you don't get any of the grease on your gloves or on the bulb.
-
9
Insert the bulb back into the socket. Remember to gently press down, and this time turn the bulb clockwise to lock it in place.
-
10
Remount the lighting harness to the assembly. Use care when inserting the bulb through the tail light hole. Make sure the harness is secure by turning it clockwise, then lock it into place. The three wires on the harness, if installed correctly, should be pointing down.
Finishing Up the Installation
-
11
Remount the tail light carefully, if you had to remove it. Make sure that all wires are tucked in before securing. Put the retaining nuts back on; only tighten them a half turn past hand-tight, no more.
-
12
Flip the trunk carpet back up and reattach it with the carpet screws. If you have trim, reinstall the trim and its holding clips.
-
13
Remove the tape from the battery cable's terminal and reattach it to the car's battery. Test your brake lights in front of a reflective surface like the garage door, or with the help of a friend.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit light bulb image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
