My '95 VdP is doing something really weird. When the weather is cold and I barely touch and move the brake pedal there is a loud click under the center console, under the ashtray and (I think) towards the driver's side. It's metallic, as if a solenoid or loud relay is kicking in.

It doesn't happen when I release the pedal or as I move the pedal up or down, only on initial contact.

Wut?

 

Hi Jon,

My first guess would be the Gearshift Interlock Solenoid, which is attached to the J-gate gear selector module inside the center console. The solenoid prevents the gear selector lever from being moved out of Park unless the brake pedal is applied. It releases when you touch the brake pedal, and my guess is that your solenoid or its associated mechanisms have become noisy or something has come loose and is vibrating when the solenoid releases. If you remove the trim around the J-gate you may be able to pinpoint the source of the noise.

Please keep us informed.

Cheers,

Don

 

Could be... but it does sound as if it's somewhat behind the J-gate. And I don't recall seeing anything solenoidish when I had to open up that whole area to install a modern radio. But I'll look.

 

The gearshift interlock relay may be further up in the console...

The Body Processor Module (BPM) is also involved in the gearshift interlock and maybe the brake lamps, too. The BPM is just to the right of the center console behind the knee bolster and some other components.

 

I agree with Don B. When I first got my Jag eleven years ago same thing happened. And it was that solenoid.

 

No sound in warm weather?



Only when the gearshift is in "P", or the same noise no matter where the gearshift is?




I agree that it is likely a solenoid. A certain amount of noise from a solenoid is to be expected. And it's normal to hear it when you press the brake pedal with the gearshift in "P".

What would be abnormal is to hear the release solenoid operate when the gearshift is in any position except "P". That would be very annoying....so Jaguar installed a "Not In Park" switch to disable the circuit when the gearshift is (you guessed it) "Not In Park"



Cheers
DD

 

Just to clarify, the noise is no big deal and the solenoid does not require replacement?