Thanks for your replies. I checked the bulb and it'* work fine (only comes on when the lights are turned on) But it doesn't eluminate the light bar. It splits the light from the bulb to the ashtray and it looks like it'* supposed to light up the flat light bar across the shift position indicator which is the plastic bar with the positions indicated on it. The light bar is bolted (from the underside) to a spring loaded panel with a white stripe running down the middle and wires coming off the bottom of it. Looks like it should determine what position the shifter is in and light up only the part that indicates what gear it is in. A seperate function of the light bulb at the front. Looks like a wierd setup that I can't figure out how it works. Only reason I'm worried about it is that I have two 16 year olds just learning to drive and if they don't have an idiot light to guide them, they may be in the ditch or through the garage door some day. They need all the help they can get right now.

I ordered the replacement bulb socket and when I got it, I found out it was the same as the original only different part number ($10). I think that the best way to eluminate the PRNDL (on the left side of the column is to get a brighter bulb (possibly a zenon bulb). The original bulb doesn't come in a brighter type other than this that I could find. Possibly make the opening in the socket larger by drilling it out. I haven't done this yet though so don't know how it will work. I discovered that the reason the small red dot PRNDL indicators on the right side weren't working is that there is another bulb that lights this side up (by transmitting light through a series of fiber optic wires) which is only visible through the center plastic shift control housing when the shifter is in park. I had to remove the wiring harnes and bulb and splice the wire back together. The wires were chafing on the housing, causing them to break. I also ran the wire through a small rectangular opening in the back top of the housing so that it wouldn't rub on the housing anymore. Hope this helps you and let me know if you need anymore help.

Thanks,
Dave
raindon@att.net

I also replaced the bulb in the socket that lights up the left side PRDNL letters but didn't get any light coming through the transparent strip that'* supposed to transfer the light across the letters. I'm wondering if the light strip can burn out and if it can be ordered seperately as apposed buying the whole shifter assembly.

Bummer. Looks like some kind of semi-transparent fiber sandwiched in clear plastic with about a 1/8 inch gap from the small bulb at the front. Don't see how that could make anything light up. I might get one of those xenon bulbs to try but they're expensive at around $7.50 for package of two. If I do, I'll post a reply to how it works.