Bought a new lighter for my 97 from Ford, When you push it in its supposed to pop back out when its hot right? This one has to be held in for it to get hot. Any suggestions on why????

I've had lighters on beater cars that need to be held in, always after they're worn out.. never gave it much concern.

Either the lighter's defective, or your socket is worn out.. I don't know what makes the lighter stay until warm, but it's definately mechanical.

My 'push button' lighter (if that's the one you're talking about) stays in until warm, so they are NOT supposed to need to be held.

Hope this helps.

Mine's the same way. And my radar detector plug is too loose to stay in (I ran some electrical tape around it to keep it in.) So on mine at least it has to be a worn out socket kind of thing.

most likelly the socket, or maby someone switched it to a "power point" outlet whicth wont hold the lighter element in

most likelly the socket, or maby someone switched it to a "power point" outlet whicth wont hold the lighter element in
...most likely one of these two above.
My old '95 I had did the same and I ended up using a plastic pick to pry the 'tongs' that hold/release the lighter in a bit till it was just right. If you use a metal pick you WILL blow the fuse (ask me how I know ;) ) It takes a bit to get right as you need to let it cool completely before testing your tweaks. Don't bend them to far or you will end up breaking them off (and no I didn't learn that one the hard way thankfully :D )
...or you can buy a new socket as well ;)