The 2002 Chevy Malibu is equipped with a high-impact plastic headlight assembly and a halogen bulb. These durable headlights are less prone to failure due to impact from road debris than sealed beams, but they can still fail. Replacing the bulb is a simple five-minute project that almost anyone can handle, and basic hand tools are all that are required.
Turn on the headlights and identify the failed bulb. Check both sides for proper high- and low-beam operation. From time to time a bump from the palm of your hand will cause the light to come on. Don't be fooled by this; the bulb is still faulty. Turn the headlights off after identifying the faulty one.
Remove the two 10-millimeter screws that hold the headlight assembly to the body of the car, and pull the assembly forward. There is an additional pin on the assembly that snaps into the outside edge of the car's body. Pull until it unsnaps, and the assembly can be removed from the car. Unplug the electrical connector and remove the assembly.
Turn the headlight bulb retaining ring counterclockwise until it releases and the bulb can be removed from the assembly. Remove the old bulb and insert the new bulb in the assembly. Avoid touching the glass portion of this type of headlight bulb with bare skin. The oils from your skin will cause the bulb to fail prematurely. Handle it only by its plastic base. Screw the retaining ring onto the assembly until it locks in place.
Plug the electrical connector into the headlight bulb and install the headlight assembly in the body of the Malibu. Take care to line up the alignment pin, and then push the assembly in until it snaps into place. Reinstall the retaining screws. Turn the headlights on and verify that they both work properly.
