1997 Malibu left tail-lights wont work

[tjr19136]

I just was giving a 1997 Malibu, the left tail was out, I went to replace the bulbs and I notice 2 were missing. I purchased the bulbs and it was hard/complicated putting the bulbs in the round slots. Putting the bulbs in did not work, somehow I ended up blowing a fuses..........I had to disconncet the tail-light plate from the wire connector clip thing.................

I am thinking it's the tail light plastic plate thing that hold the bulbs.........

[AD2BU]

I had issues with my rear lamps on a 98 Malibu a few years back. Here is what I found out:

Another common prob on these vehicles is in the backplate that holds the bulbs for the rear lamps. Not sure if this is your problems, but here is some info from personal experience on this. The lamps get so hot - one of two failures will occur: 1) the backplate will warp and no longer make a good connection with the bulb, or 2) the lead wires on the bulb will get so hot, they'll melt into the plastic base of the bulb.

Fixes:
1) bend the contacts in the sockets on the backplate to make a good contact with the bulb. Then put dielectric grease in the socket to help with the thermal prob.
2) replace bulbs with glass base bulbs (I think either Wagner or GE makes these). Then replace with dielectric grease in the socket.

Good luck.