GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2008 🢒 G8 🢒 Diagnostic Navigation 🢒 Vehicle Diagnostic Information 🢒 Tail Lamp Assembly and /or Backup, Sidemarker, Stop, Turn Signal Bulb Replacement

Removal Procedure - Backup Light Bulb

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Open the rear compartment lid.
  3. Remove the rear compartment carpet.

    4. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  4. Remove the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).

    5. Object Number: 2048612 Size: SH

    Important: Pull the end panel (1) upwards to disengage the end panel retaining pins.

  5. Remove the end panel (1) from the vehicle (2).

    6. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  6. Remove the rear compartment lining clip and pull back the lining for access to the rear bulbs.

    7. Object Number: 1946868 Size: SH
  7. Remove the backup light bulb (1) and socket (2) from the rear lamp assembly by pushing and rotating the bulb counter-clockwise.
  8. Remove the backup light bulb (1) from the socket by pushing and rotating the bulb counter-clockwise.

Installation Procedure - Backup Light Bulb

    Object Number: 1946866 Size: SH
  1. Install the new backup light bulb (1) into the socket (2) by pushing and rotating the bulb clockwise.

    2. Important: The different sized tabs on the bulb base and mating cut-outs in the tail lamp assembly allow the bulb to seat correctly.

  2. Install the backup light bulb (1) and socket (2) into the rear tail lamp assembly and secure by rotating the socket clockwise.
  3. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  4. Check all vehicle lights for correct operation.

    5. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  5. Install the rear compartment lining and reinstall the clip to secure the lining.

    6. Object Number: 1939189 Size: SH
  6. Install the end panel (1) to the vehicle (2) and listen for an audible click to confirm correct fitment.

    7. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  7. Install the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).

Removal Procedure - Rear Indicator Bulb

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Open the rear compartment lid.
  3. Remove the rear compartment carpet.

    4. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  4. Remove the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).

    5. Object Number: 2048612 Size: SH

    Important: Pull the end panel (1) upwards to disengage the end panel retaining pins.

  5. Remove the end panel (1) from the vehicle (2).

    6. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  6. Remove the rear compartment lining clip and pull back the lining for access to the rear bulbs.

    7. Object Number: 1946874 Size: SH
  7. Remove the rear indicator light bulb (1) and socket (2) from the rear tail lamp assembly by rotating the socket counter-clockwise.
  8. Remove the rear indicator light bulb (1) from the socket (2) by pushing and rotating the bulb counter-clockwise.

Installation Procedure - Rear Indicator Bulb
  1. Install the new rear indicator light bulb into the socket by pushing and rotating the bulb clockwise.

    2. Object Number: 1946871 Size: SH

    Important: The different sized tabs on the bulb base and mating cut-outs in the tail lamp assembly allow the bulb to seat correctly.

  2. Install the rear indicator light bulb (1) and socket (2) into the rear tail lamp assembly and secure by rotating the socket clockwise.
  3. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  4. Check all vehicle lights for correct operation.

    5. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  5. Install the rear compartment lining and reinstall the clip to secure the lining.

    6. Object Number: 1939189 Size: SH
  6. Install the end panel (1) to the vehicle (2) and listen for an audible click to confirm correct fitment.

    7. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  7. Install the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).

Removal Procedure - Stop/Tail Lamp Bulb

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Open the rear compartment lid.
  3. Remove the rear compartment carpet.

    4. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  4. Remove the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).

    5. Object Number: 2048612 Size: SH

    Important: Pull the end panel (1) upwards to disengage the end panel retaining pins.

  5. Remove the end panel (1) from the vehicle (2).

    6. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  6. Remove the rear compartment lining clip and pull back the lining for access to the rear bulbs.

    7. Object Number: 1946863 Size: SH
  7. Remove the stop/tail lamp bulb (1) and socket (2) from the rear tail lamp assembly by rotating the socket counter-clockwise.
  8. Remove the stop/tail light bulb (1) from the socket (2) by pushing and rotating the bulb counter-clockwise.

Installation Procedure - Stop/Tail Lamp Bulb

    Object Number: 1946834 Size: SH
  1. Install the new stop/tail lamp bulb (1) into the socket (2) by pushing and rotating the bulb clockwise.

    2. Important: The different sized tabs on the bulb base and mating cut-outs in the tail lamp assembly allow the bulb to seat correctly.

  2. Install the stop/tail lamp bulb (1) and socket (2) into the rear tail lamp assembly and secure by rotating the socket clockwise.
  3. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  4. Check all vehicle lights for correct operation.

    5. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  5. Install the rear compartment lining and reinstall the clip to secure the lining.

    6. Object Number: 1939189 Size: SH
  6. Install the end panel (1) to the vehicle (2) and listen for an audible click to confirm correct fitment.

    7. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  7. Install the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).

Removal Procedure - Tail Lamp Assembly

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  2. Open the rear compartment lid.
  3. Remove the rear compartment carpet.

    4. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  4. Remove the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).

    5. Object Number: 2048612 Size: SH

    Important: Pull the end panel (1) upwards to disengage the end panel retaining pins.

  5. Remove the end panel (1) from the vehicle (2).

    6. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  6. Remove the rear compartment lining clip and pull back the lining for access to the rear tail lamp assembly.

    7. Object Number: 1946832 Size: SH
  7. Disconnect the rear tail lamp electrical connector (2).
  8. Remove the rear tail lamp to rear end panel retaining nuts (1).

    9. Object Number: 1946857 Size: SH
  9. Remove the rear tail lamp assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

    Object Number: 1946876 Size: SH

    Important: Make sure the rear tail lamp sealing surface is clean to avoid damage to painted vehicle surfaces and to prevent water leaks.

  1. Install the rear tail lamp assembly to the vehicle.

    2. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1946832 Size: SH
  2. Install the rear tail lamp to rear end panel retaining nuts (1).

    3. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 3.00 N·m (27 lb in).

  3. Connect the rear tail lamp assembly electrical connector (2).
  4. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .
  5. Check all lights for the correct operation.

    6. Object Number: 1946831 Size: SH
  6. Install the rear compartment lining clip and pull back the lining for access to the rear tail lamp assembly.

    7. Object Number: 1939189 Size: SH
  7. Install the end panel (1) to the vehicle (2) and listen for an audible click to confirm correct fitment.

    8. Object Number: 1939185 Size: SH
  8. Install the four convenience net retaining hooks (1).