1991 Chevy Caprice how to replace the tail light?

Answer 1

I had one of the turn signal bulbs break, and unfortunately with the 91 model, there's no easy trunk access to the bulbs & wiring. You have to remove the entire tail light housing to access the bulbs. It's about a 10 minute job.

Grab a flashlight to hang from the trunk if you're stuck in an area with poor lighting - the recessed trunk lamp doesn't provide enough light.

To remove the tail lamp housing (on the side that you need to access):

Unscrew the two black flat plastic trunk carpet retainers near the trunk latch.

If you've got the cargo net up, take the top loop off.

Fold back the carpet lining (you may need to unscrew the top cargo net hooks)

There are three points securing the tail lamp housing:

At the lower corner of the trunk, there will be a bolt with a washer nut. Get out the Liquid Wrench out if it's rusty, and get that one off.

Just above it, the plastic cargo net hook also needs to be removed.

On the outside black ledge of the trunk, remove the 10mm washer-head bolt securing the tail lamp housing to the top edge of the outer body moulding.

Pull the lamp housing forward until the two bolts attached to the outer edge clear the holes in the trunk. Careful, though - they were stingy with the bundled wire lengths.

There isn't really much slack in the wiring to work with, but there should be enough to flip the housing over to rest on the bumper. The bulb bases and bulbs are standard twist-to-remove types, with locking tabs on the bases. (The stop-tail-turn bulbs are 1157, common stuff at most gas stations)

Reapply dielectric grease to prevent corrosion.

Check the replaced lightbulb to make sure it works

Reinstall the housing and replace the nuts, bolts, carpet, retainers & hooks - and then pat yourself on the back for being your own mechanic!