please advise the village idiot on how to access the brake light bulbs. he wants to change them out. thank you.

do a search. and not on brake light, but tail light. boy, you be stupid.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=43783&highlight=tail+light

Light bulb replacement

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Light bulbs are pretty easy to replace. For reference, it's listed in the owners manual in the "practical hints" section, or if you have an older ML with the gray owners manual (not in a binder format) it's in the index under "replacing bulbs".
There are 2 plastic nuts that hold the tail lamp in place. They are located between the tail lamp assembly and the tailgate weatherstrip. The nuts are slotted for a screwdriver, or a 10mm socket will work, whichever is handy. Remove the 2 nuts, then you need to pull back on the tail light assembly, as there is a snap that hold the tail light in place also.
After that, there is an electrical connector that needs to be removed, that's pretty simple. The bulbs are located on the inside of the lamp assembly in the "racetrack" shaped holder. There is a clip on each side of the holder, just press these clips in towards each other to release the holder.

thank you, sir. your description is a little more complete that the search results listed above. working on friend's car. not sure if she knows where the owner's manual is.

this be a slow and almost vacant forum. too bad. som*****. diesel be much better. but then consider interest group........ smucks to be sure. who in their right mind would purchase. only as$$ ho&&es! kma.