Ok guys. My turn to freak out about the brakes. Only this is something different than warped rotors, rusted/squealing rotors, etc.

I first noticed it today (a day after being at the dealer... hmmm). Anyway, when I step on the brake pedal (engine doesn't have to be running) I hear this clicking noise coming from the shifter when in Park. When the car IS running and I step on the brake pedal while in Park, the clicking noise is much more pronounced, again coming from the shifter.

I'm wicked concerned over this as I've never, ever noticed this before. Anyone out there know what this is or what the problem could be? I don't want to find out while going Mach-2 down the highway, if you know what I mean.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

Okay the clicking noise you hear from when you click on the Brake is the safety pin that goes in and out where the shifter is. This basically keeps you from moving the shifter into any gear by accidently without pressing the brakes. Most new cars have this. Some cars it is more louder that you can hear the Shift lock pin going in and out.

Dixit

 

I really, really want to believe this. My only issue is that I can't recall hearing it before today. Do you (or any of you other guys) hear this when depressing the brake pedal?

 

BigDog is correct. It is the shift-lock mechanism. Pressing on the brake slightly releases the lock and lets you shift into gear.

 

Please bear with me... I'm still a little concerned. It's almost as loud as the power door locks in my Jeep Cherokee (and louder than our power door locks). Still normal?

 

yes...It is a bit loud for me also.

 

I mean you may only notice it on the days that it is real quiet in the car, or maybe you really dont notice when you turn your car on first and then hit the brake. I mean without the car on, you can notice it. Maybe that is why you noticed it this time as opposed to all the other times.

 

Don't worry about it. My car does the same thing. If you
are that worried about it, take it back to the dealership
where you bought it and tell them.

MaximaDave

 

Sounds like a plan. Have to go back anyway 'cause they ordered the wrong freakin' Bose replacement speaker... AGAIN.

Dang it... and I was just about to paint my calipers tonight. You and I both know they'd probably blame it on that so it looks like I'm hangin' for a while on that cosmetic mod.

Thanks for all the input, guys.

 

ahhh brake problems eh?!

AHH! according to you, we will all die from braking problems?

 

Huh?

 

I can assure you it is the shift lock solenoid. It is part of the shift console. I replaced my shift console when I did the AE shift **** installation on my 2000 and have first hand experiences with it. I had to manually mess with that part that "clicks" to get the shifter working again. I also couldn't figure out how it worked (since it wouldn't let me take the car out of park...that is another story).

If you are really concerned, removed the shift surround cover piece and you might be able to see the white plastic piece, which makes the noise, on the front upper left-hand side (on the underside almost). That little square peg on top of the shift console (part of the silver part on an ae) is integrated with it to override the shift lock mechanism. This is the thingy emergency crews would use to take the car in/out of gear.

The noise is usually not noticable to most because the motion of the key turn, foot on brake, sound of engine coming to life, etc, happens usually quickly, drowning out the "clicks".

 

everything that is needed to be said is said....i have nothing to add to this thread but just wanted to get a word in somewhere

 

So this is a possible case of the solenoid going south perhaps? Is this something that I should haul my buttimus Maximus down to the dealer asap (i.e. am I gonna get stuck at work) or is it something I have some time with?

Some additional info... I also notice a clicking under the dash (approximately knee level) when I press the gear release button. Anything to this?

After thinking more about how loud the clicking is, I'm convinced it's louder than it used to be.

For what it's worth, I've attached a zipped .wav file of the clicking with the engine on.

 

I couldn't open your zip file...

I doubt that solenoid would go bad: it would probably just go altogether (e.g. quit working).

The device is shaped funny, but is somewhat simple in its design. The part is plastic, a spring, which initiates the clicking nose, and a metal piece or two. You'd be surprised something so small and crude could disable a car. Sometimes, mine clicks louder than the previous time. There are moving parts in there, so, if something doesn't move the exact same way, it could cause a different sound.

If it pains you, feel free to go to the dealer, but I doubt they would disassemble the console area to find a clicking noise. I am going to take a gander and say their response will be: "That's normal". A first hand inspection of the piece would require the removal of the center console piece just to completely see the piece in question.

I do not recall anybody reporting clicking, such as this, under the dash/from the console. Perhaps there is a problem.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

Also, I recall from the ESM, some wires/cables run from the shift console up under the dash to the pedal area/steering column.

PS: Tell the dealer "my thingy is clicky sounding".

 

Thanks for trying. I'll be sure to update you on this as it progresses. Hopefully it's an isolated incident.