How to Replace Pontiac Tail Lights
If your Pontiac tail lights go out, you can repair them at home with just a couple of tools.
Written by Jessie Devine
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If your Pontiac tail lights are out, you can usually repair them at home for a few minutes and a few dollars. Burnt-out bulbs are the most common cause of tail lights not working, and luckily, replacing the bulbs is the cheapest and easiest fix.
Having a tail light out can be hazardous because it won’t signal to other drivers when you are slowing down or stopping. It can also
lead to a ticket
, which can make your Pontiac car insurance costs go up
. Whether you need to replace Pontiac G6 tail lights or the tail lights in a lesser-known Pontiac, you can easily do it yourself to save.If you’re not sure how to change your Pontiac tail lights, don’t worry!
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How to replace a Pontiac tail light
Cost: $10-$20
Time: 10 to 30 minutes
Tools needed: Goggles, safety gloves, screwdriver, wrench, replacement parts (like bulbs)
Difficulty: Easy
If you have a Pontiac tail light out, your first step should be figuring out why. The most likely reason is a burnt-out bulb. This is especially probable if only one light is affected. Luckily, this is also the quickest, easiest, and cheapest fix.
If both tail lights have stopped working, or if your turn signals and running lights are also affected, you have a different problem. It could be a blown fuse, an issue in the wiring, or a malfunctioning control switch. If you can’t determine the reason, you should take your Pontiac to a mechanic so they can help you.
This post will concentrate on the most common cause of Pontiac tail light failure—a defective bulb. The first thing you should do is search up the bulb’s replacement part number.
Remember that even simple items like light bulbs differ from one vehicle to the next. The Pontiac G6 tail light bulb size will be different from the Pontiac Vibe tail light bulb size, and so on. Your vehicle's trim level might also influence which part you require, so make sure you get the proper one.
The exact process for changing the tail light bulb will vary depending on your model, but you can follow these basic steps.
- Disconnect the battery. You risk getting shocked if you don’t.
- Pop the trunk. Look for three grommets on the affected side.
- Pry up the grommets with your fingernail or screwdriver and remove the bolts below.
- Pull out the tail light housing
- Reach in and turn the socket counterclockwise before pulling it straight out.
- Remove the tail light bulb.
- Install the new tail light bulb.
- Replace the socket and turn it clockwise
- Replace tail light housing
- Replace the bolts and grommets
- Reconnect the battery and test the tail light.
Burned-out bulbs are the most typical cause of Pontiac tail lights not working, but if you have a defective tail light assembly, you'll need to replace the entire component. Access it as described above, detach the cables, and replace them with new ones.
Key Takeaway If your Pontiac tail light is out, you can change the bulb at home in a matter of minutes.
Commons reasons for Pontiac tail light malfunctions
Sometimes the reason for a tail light malfunction is obvious. If you backed into something on accident or got rear-ended, you’ll be able to see the damage. But if you can’t clearly tell why your Pontiac tail lights aren’t working, look into these potential causes:
- Dead bulb: The filaments in tail light bulbs are fragile and can burn out. If only one light is out, this is most likely the source of the problem.
- Faulty wiring or fuses: First, try changing the bulb; if that doesn't help, the problem could be faulty wiring or a blown fuse.
- Damaged socket: Your socket may have deteriorated if it was exposed to dampness. When changing the bulb, look for discoloration and build-up to identify this problem..
- Broken control switch: If none of the other causes apply, a faulty control switch could be to blame. If you're not sure, take your car to a mechanic.
Does car insurance cover broken tail lights?
In short, yes, your full-coverage policy probably covers broken tail lights, but if this is the only repair you need, going through insurance isn’t worth it.
Let’s break this down. Repairs are covered by car insurance if the damage is caused by something specified by your policy.
If you have
collision coverage
, for example, you will get compensated for broken tail lights caused by colliding with a stationary object or another vehicle. If your broken tail lights are due to vandalism or an "act of God," such as a natural disaster, comprehensive insurance
coverage will cover you.So, what's the big deal then? Why isn't it worthwhile to take advantage of your insurance? Because, in order for insurance to cover anything, you must first pay your whole deductible. Because the average auto insurance deductible is $500, and a basic tail light repair normally costs a little more than$100 in the shop, your insurance won't kick in and cover anything.
Worst of all, you'll have to pay for the entire repair, and your insurance premiums may climb as a result. Why? Because premiums typically go up if you make an insurance claim.
How to find affordable Pontiac insurance
Pontiac drivers pay about $2,078 per year for car insurance. If you use Jerry, you could pay a lot less.
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How much does it cost to replace a Pontiac tail light?
Repairing Pontiac tail lights is inexpensive. The cost will depend on your car’s model and year, but you can usually expect a simple Pontiac tail light replacement to cost around $11 at home or $106 in the shop.
Can you replace tail lights yourself?
Definitely! Replacing your Pontiac tail lights is quick, cheap, and easy. Even if you’re a beginner, you can do this repair in just a few minutes without fear of damaging anything. Give it a try!
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