Back to the 90's...

[Jgolden]

From a geezer who was avoiding the 21'st century.

For those who tire of old vehicles be aware of what you get on a 2009 malibu. The headlight bulb can only be changed by removing the entire bumper "fasica" from the car. 1 to 3 hours on and off.

The owners manual won't tell you but it does hint. Under "headlight bulb replacement" it says . . "Call dealer". maybe they never burn out.



Well I do get to pull it around behind a 1st gen.

 

[sdstriper]

This kind of ridiculous BS is part of the reason we have to bail out these car mfg's. 1hr. headlite change if your really good at it huh? Unreal. The quality of our cars in this country is questionable and the planned obsolescence and service requirements is out of control. If that were my car I would be PO'd enough to not buy another GM... Ever. And I mean that.

 

[PToombs]

Now wait a minute... ... how many beer breaks were in that 1-3 hours?

Joe, you can fool some of the people some of the time,















but you can't fool mom! :-laf

 

[Jgolden]

Sorry Pete, didn't make it clear... 1 to 3hrs was dealer estimate to take it off then put it back on. You'd have to ask them about the beer.



I was having a local bodyshop guy put on a baseplate so I could tow it behind my 1stgen Motorhome. He got curious about how it might be possible to change the headlight deal.

We looked in the manual and then called the Chevy dealer to get details. The body guy got the fascia off, drilled a few holes, mounted the tow base plate and put it all back in 1hr with help from his son.



When the bulb dies he'd be the guy I'd have change it, beer or no beer.

 

[PToombs]

Sounds like if he can do it in an hour, you should supply him the beer!

I see that on the wifes Jeep Grand Cherokee. Real PITA to change the front side marker bulb. And there's always a bad one at inspection time.

 

[Philip]

Try doing a headlight in a 2005 Pasifica. It took me two hours. I took the next one to the dealer. The mechanic that did it told the service manager that he wouldn't do another one. :-laf:-laf

 

[MMeier]

New Malibus are pretty damn sweet !!! Oh, try 5 minutes to get the front end off. Done several at work the past 2 weeks ! Pretty much all this new fangled stuff requires you to pull the front off to get to the headlights.

 

[KOG]

I was turning wrenches at a Cad/Olds dealership around 1970. GM has always done stuff like this which is why I was driving a Dart at the time.

 

[JLEONARD]

Try changing the Northstar engine in a older caddy. The front end mst be removed and engien drops out similar to the old VWs.

Changing spark plugs on some of the pontiac V6s... lift the engine first.

The list can go one... probably not just from GM either.

I would invest in a simple debris deflector for while you;re towing to protect the headlights. Then not use them when you drive at night ... heck you can't be worse than some of us. :-laf

 

[Jgolden]

New Malibus are pretty damn sweet !!! Oh, try 5 minutes to get the front end off. Done several at work the past 2 weeks ! Pretty much all this new fangled stuff requires you to pull the front off to get to the headlights.

5 min?, maybe the second time. I watched mine come off.



Just one more thing I can't do myself. just as well I guess. So at $70 an hour shop rate I'd only be looking at total cost of change about ???



Don't want anyone to think it's more than a minor complaint in the grand scheme of stuff.



Thanks.



PS: JLeonard, I never use my headlights at night.

 

[Jgolden]

I was turning wrenches at a Cad/Olds dealership around 1970. GM has always done stuff like this which is why I was driving a Dart at the time.

Dodge Dart, a mighty fine car.

 

[JLEONARD]

Dodge Dart, a mighty fine car

Hey we finally agree on something!!:-laf



Had a 70 Dart "Swinger" , 225 slant 6, 3 on the tree. Also had a 73 Plymouth "Scamp", same car, same powertrain config.

 

[cerberusiam]

Dodge Dart, a mighty fine car.

Had a couple of them also. Dropped 440's in 'em and made a might FUN car. :-laf:-laf

 

[PToombs]

I had a Plymouth Scamp, then a couple years later, a Dart. I had the Dart all hopped up. I could do a line lock with it, with a Slant 6 and auto. I had the carb set so close I had to back the mixture screw out 1/4 turn for winter and in a 1/4 for summer. Boy I had fun with that car!