Replace A4 shift interlock solenoid
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
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From: Midland TX
Replace A4 shift interlock solenoid
Can the shift interlock solenoid be replaced by itself? Mine is acting up, making it hard to press the gearshift button down to get out of Park.
Is there a Part #, procedure or video reference?
I have the console out and the shifter boot pulled back to where I can see the problem and solenoid.
Is there a Part #, procedure or video reference?
I have the console out and the shifter boot pulled back to where I can see the problem and solenoid.
Le Mans Master
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From: Slave to the evil empire
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St. Jude Donor '04
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
One other question. When working properly, and the car is running and in Park, if I press and release the brake pedal repeatedly without touching the shifter, should the solenoid engage and disengage with the brake pedal position?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Dyer, IN
runamuk: Thanks for the link - just what I was looking for!
One other question. When working properly, and the car is running and in Park, if I press and release the brake pedal repeatedly without touching the shifter, should the solenoid engage and disengage with the brake pedal position?
One other question. When working properly, and the car is running and in Park, if I press and release the brake pedal repeatedly without touching the shifter, should the solenoid engage and disengage with the brake pedal position?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
As opposed to doing nothing visible mechanically.
I never looked inside the shifter mechanism when mine was healthy, so not sure if the depressed brake pedal signal works in concert with the solenoid to physically move a lever or something? It seems to me like pressing/releasing the brake pedal would cause the shifter mechanism to lock/unlock based strictly on the brake pedal signal?
I never looked inside the shifter mechanism when mine was healthy, so not sure if the depressed brake pedal signal works in concert with the solenoid to physically move a lever or something? It seems to me like pressing/releasing the brake pedal would cause the shifter mechanism to lock/unlock based strictly on the brake pedal signal?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,353
Likes: 1,125
From: Dyer, IN
As opposed to doing nothing visible mechanically.
I never looked inside the shifter mechanism when mine was healthy, so not sure if the depressed brake pedal signal works in concert with the solenoid to physically move a lever or something? It seems to me like pressing/releasing the brake pedal would cause the shifter mechanism to lock/unlock based strictly on the brake pedal signal?
I never looked inside the shifter mechanism when mine was healthy, so not sure if the depressed brake pedal signal works in concert with the solenoid to physically move a lever or something? It seems to me like pressing/releasing the brake pedal would cause the shifter mechanism to lock/unlock based strictly on the brake pedal signal?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,353
Likes: 1,125
From: Dyer, IN
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Description and Operation
The automatic transmission shift lock control is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the ignition is ON. The driver must press the brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of the PARK position. The system consists of the following components:- The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid
- The automatic transmission shift lock control switch
- The park/neutral position switch
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Description and Operation
The automatic transmission shift lock control is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the ignition is ON. The driver must press the brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of the PARK position. The system consists of the following components:- The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid
- The automatic transmission shift lock control switch
- The park/neutral position switch
Thanks for all the great info, really helps my understanding.
I think I have watched every video on the Internet the past few days regarding this issue and I saw a couple people show where all they did was disconnect an electrical harness plug on the shifter harness as a opposed to either replacing the solenoid or breaking/disengaging/restricting (mechanically) the solenoid itself (as a workaround).
I finally thought I would give this a try first. The photo below shows the 4-prong plug I disconnected tonight. Shifter button now shows no resistance to press down in Park now and car starts and goes through gears fine now. The question is, by disconnecting this harness as a solution does it cause any other issues besides deactivating the problem solenoid? I am not seeing any obvious side effects or codes so far.
I spent hours trying to find a solenoid replacement including VetteNutts and apparently they just don't exist?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
FYI - Might also mention that unplugging that socket also removed the "Brake Before Shifting" message on the DIC (for anyone reading this).
CORRECTION: I noticed tonight that the DIC message DID appear when I got in the car (not sure what sequence causes it to show up - after 25 years of driving the car, I just became numb as to what causes it to appear).
HOWEVER, apparently the PRND123 interior shifter lighting no longer lights up at night so apparently the socket I unplugged trashed that feature? Now I need too see if there is a way to get that back as I drive almost exclusively a night.
Last edited by Choreo; Sep 16, 2025 at 03:05 AM.