[chargerpwr]

1997 Mustang V6 - Transmission Will Not Shift Into Gear

I had posted a long post earlier about this and I guess my log in timed out. Oops.

Symptoms:
Not parked in incline/decline
Engine Starts
Brake Peddle Depressed
Will Not Shift to any gear - Shifter will NOT move.
No Brake lights

Was able to get Mustang home by following these steps I found in an Ford F-150 Forum:
Transmission will not shift into gear - F150online Forums
"Turn the key to start the position and then turn back one click, then the shift lever should release, shift into neutral and start the truck in neutral. You can now drive but remember you have no brake lights, so be careful."

After research, the issue might be the "Stoplight Switch" has gone bad. This is a $20 part I can get at either Checkers or NAPA.

Suggestions/How-To's would be appreciated on how I can install replacement switch?

Thank you,

Trevis

[chargerpwr]

Also found this information:
From: Car won't shift into gear!? - Yahoo!7 Answers

From "Sparky"
Your brake light switch is connected to a interlock that prevents the shifter from moving out of park. The wires that go into the connector are pretty fragile and sometimes break. If this happens, no juice to the interlock solenoid. You can test this by using a test light or using a jumper wire. It is also possible that your brake light switch has gone bad.

[chargerpwr]

Checkers Online:
While we find your parts, please enter your ZIP Code at PartsAmerica.com

NAPA Online:
NAPAONLINE®

[chargerpwr]

Update:
Went an purchased the Stoplight Switch from NAPA. It was $12 and some change.
What I saw while looking under the dash:

The brake peddle has two different pieces of electronics connected to it. One is the stoplight switch, and the other (a guess) might be the kill switch for cruise control (looks like an in-line fuse capsule).

On the stoplight switch there's a green pin that holds the assembly together. At which point I stopped myself.
I've never had to deal with this, and the difficulty of getting my body to get up underneth the dash I decided to take it to a trusted mechanic.

After paying the nominal fee of $20, the mechanic expressed that he did have "difficulty" working with the switches. So, I guess money well spent.

After examining the "old" switch; there is a small, pin-size, scorch mark on the side of the switch.

Now, the question is this: After finding out that this is the second time that this has happened to the Mustang, what is happening to cause this?

The new switch works fine. I can get the car out of Park (P), and have brake lights now.