With the car running, but still in Park, if I press the brake pedal I can hear a tap-like noise. Thinking something underneath the knee bolster was in the way of the brake operation, I checked for loose wires, but everything seems OK.

Working the pedal and listening, it is obvious it is coming from the plastic surround for the gear shift. In fact, I can feel it if I have my hand on the surround when I push the brake. I can reproduce this noise at will.

As soon as I put it in gear, the noise/tap goes away. So far there has been no effect that I can tell on how it drives or stops.

Any clues or suggestions?

 

gearshift release/interlock solenoid?

when you put your foot on the brake, the solenoid unlocks the gearshift so that you can move the car out of park.

 

OK sounds logical, but is it moving? going bad? What do you think is happening?

 

Its just a very loud solenoid, you're car is not trying to annoy you (yet)

 

Heaven help me if it ever TRIES to annoy me. It does a great job now without any effort at all.

So I can stop worrying? Even if it never made this noise before?

 

Mine makes a pretty loud "clack" when pressing the brake. Always has. I just thought that it was normal.

As normal as any of the other noises in a British car, at least.

 

I've had mine only a week and today was the first day I noticed it and then I saw this thread tonight. The solenoid makes sense.

 

Dug around under the dash last night, moving parts & wires in a very serious and professional manner. Wiggled connectors and thumped switches.

When I got in to leave for work this morning, the noise is gone. So either I managed to correct it with my technical expertise or the gremlins were sleeping in today.

Going to call it fixed for now and ignore it if it comes back. Thanks for the feedback from the group.

 

Mine never makes noise, then again, it's laying in a bin somewhere in my garage...

 

Where is the solenoid situated and can it be reached/replaced from inside the car or engine bay? Does anyone know the approximate cost of the part?

Thanks

 

Based on sound and "feel", it is under the transmission console. Left hand side just below the J-gate on my '01 XK8. Rev Sam has a YouTube video on removing the console. I have not had this off, but someone who has will chime in I'm sure.