Fix It

Remove the cover that surrounds the license plate area and runs along the bottom of the light assembly. Use a small flat head screwdriver to start the removal, taking care to not scratch the paint on the cover.

Use the screwdriver to pop the light assembly out of its retaining clips. Be especially caul when loosening the light assembly, since it can crack if you apply too much force.

Press on the clip on the light assemblys plug that is joined with the wiring harness inside the trunk. Place the old light assembly to the side on a soft cloth.

Insert the plug on the new light assembly into the socket in the wiring harness. Line the tabs on the back of the light assembly with the retaining clips on the trunk lid.

Press the light assembly into place gently, listening for the retaining clips to snap. Make sure the light assembly does not jiggle at all; otherwise, remove it and install it again.

Press the cover that goes around the license plate area and underneath the light assembly back into place so its retaining clips snap into place. Make sure the cover does not jiggle when you press on it.

Open the trunk of your Oldsmobile and locate the two retaining screws on the inboard edge of the tail light assembly. Remove both screws using a Phillips screwdriver and set them aside for later reuse.

Pull the tail light assembly away from the body and locate the bulb sockets on the rear of the assembly. Rotate the bulb socket counterclockwise to unlock it from the assembly, then pull the socket and bulb out of the assembly.

Install the bulb sockets into the rear of the new taillight assembly; rotate them clockwise to lock them in place. Now is a good time to replace any bulbs in the rear that may not be working.

Position the new tail light assembly on the rear of the car and install the two retaining screws through the tail light, threading them into the body. Tighten the screws with a Phillips screwdriver until they are snug, but do not over-tighten them or you will crack the plastic.

Repeat the process for the opposite side assembly, if needed. Close the trunk of the car.

Go to the back of your Chevrolet Optra and open the trunk. Clear the trunk on the side that the broken tail light is on. You want full access to this area.

Move the cloth trunk mat away from the back of the tail light you are fixing. Locate the plastic nuts that are holding the tail light in place. Twist these nuts in a counterclockwise direction until they come all the way off. Use an adjustable wrench if you cannot loosen these with your fingers.

Pull the tail light fixture out. If it gets stuck, you can push on the fixture from the inside of the trunk. Use gentle, but firm, pressure to remove the tail light.

Replace the tail light with a new fixture. Make sure it is in securely. Tighten the plastic nuts in a clockwise direction and replace the cloth trunk mat.

Verify that the headlight switch is in the "Off" position. Release the trunk latch.

Open the trunk and locate the two retaining screws on the inside of the tail light assembly.

Remove the two screws with a T-15 Torx head screwdriver.

Pull the assembly outward and away from the back of the SC1 far enough to access the wire harness connections attached to the back of the assembly.

Press the lock of the tail light/brake light socket (top center bulb inside the red section of the tail light assembly) and twist the socket counterclockwise 1/3 of a turn then pull the bulb and socket assembly out of the tail light assembly.

Pull the bulb straight up and out of the socket then push in the 3157 replacement bulb. For the 2057 bulb, push slightly downward on the glass bulb and rotate it 1/4-turn counterclockwise to remove it from the socket. Align the small tabs at the base of the replacement bulb to the grooves in the socket and twist the bulb 1/4-turn clockwise (again, pushing slightly downward on the bulb) until it locks into place.