1996 Lincoln Town Car brake lights not working

forgot to add that the brake light in the back window is working too.

That last observation was very helpful. That rules out almost everything except the multi-function switch or a wiring problem associated with it. There's also an unnecessarily-complicated lighting control module under the dash, but it appears a problem with that would cause many other symptoms.

So check the wiring in and behind the steering colom good first?

Yup. Specifically, there's a light green wire coming from the brake light switch that feeds the high-mount brake light, so we know that circuit is okay. It also feeds the signal switch, so look for 12 volts on that wire at the switch when you press the brake pedal. If you have it there, look for it coming out on the light green / orange wire and the orange / light blue wire.

It's very unlikely to find two bad contacts inside the switch, one for each side, but right before that is a single switch contact as part of the hazard lights switch. Play with and wiggle the hazard light switch to see if that gets you 12 volts on the two wires.

Okay I will check that out todat and get back with you. This is for my mail lady and making a lot of sense cause she always is turning her hazard light,s off and on and driving from the passenger seat with feet strectched over to the driver side so im sure her feet accidetly get up under the dash a little when she climbs in and out lol. just trying to help her out cause people are turning her in for tail lights out. For one it,s a safety hazard for her as a single mother and getting her boss on her cause her car is,nt up to code. So i appreciate you helping me figure this kind deed out.