How do you remove the driver's interior door panel on a 2001 Chevrolet Malibu?

Answer 1

Malibu door panel removalI just did this on a 2003 Malibu. First, you have to locate the screws that hold the door panel. Two are under a plastic cover inside of the grip handle of the panel. Another is under the lever that you pull to open the door.

After those are removed, you have to pry off the triangular plastic molding cover that on the inside of the mirror. It just takes a little prying with a flat screwdriver.

Next, things get a bit tricky. The panel is held in place with these little plastic plugs that are located inside of the panel about 4 to six inches in from the edge. You should start by laying on your back and prying up the panel from the door. I bought a tool for "popping" panels from the local autostore. It cost $5.99. I think you could probably use a regular screwdriver, but I didn't want to chance breaking anything.

If you start from the bottom, you will be able to lift the panel away from the door as you work you way around and it should get easier as you go.

I had electric windows and mirrors, so I had to pry up the button consoles. Unfortunately, two of the clips that hold the console in place fell down into the door, so I used an extending magnet to retreive them. I could have left them and just pulled them out when I removed the panel, but I didn't know I was going to have to remove the panel. I ended up having to remove it so that I could get to the wire harness and plug in the new drivers side rearview mirror that needed replacing.