Expert: Skip Bollinger - 10/6/2006

Question
How do I replace the brake light on the 97 Lincoln continental.  I looked up the number of the bulb but not sure what parts need to come off to get at the bulb.

A secondary question involves the shift column and sometimes you cannot get out of the park position, especially in cold weather.  This has been happening a long time before the brake light out message came on.  Thank you

Answer
Bob,
  First, let me tell you I'm a Parts Specialist, NOT a Tech!! I have told this to AllExperts for years and it doesn't help. I will offer my $0.02 (cents) worth, however.
  The brake light bulb should be accessable through the trunk. On my car, once you remove the grey fuzzy covering, you will see large black "nuts" that you can remove with your hand. You should need no special tools. Once all the "nuts" are removed, the rear light assembly should come out of the back of the car over the bumper. Once removed, you should be able to remove the socket from the housing and replace the bulb.
  Now to your shift problem. I'm NOT qualified to answer that but, again, my 2 cents worth. You have to have your foot on the brake to release the shifter, correct?? I would suspect the switch that is activated when you press the brake pedal. I CANNOT see why temperature would mess with this but a thought. Since this seems to happen when the weather is cold, I would also suspect the linkage. It is greased and, when cold, grease gets thicker.
  I don't know where in the country you are but O'Reilly Auto Parts has a card you can buy that will give you access to a web site that will offer ALL types of information for your car. I don't have the information if front of me but it is like $5.00 for one week, $15.00 for a year and something like $30.00 for 4 years. It is ... eAutoRepair.com.
  Again, please let me say again, I'm a Parts Specialist, NOT a tech. I have given you the best thoughts I can. I hope this helps. Good luck...
  Skip