"Click" from AT shifter when braking? Is this normal?

[shaunmp5]

Am I losing my mind? This morning I hop in my car and turn it on, then depress the brake to prepare to back out. I realize there is a loud "click" when i hit the brake pedal. I swear I have never heard this before! When in park (with the ignition on), is there supposed to be a rather loud "click" whenever the brake is pressed?

I am almost certain the car never did this before.

 

[KYREDP5]

I would say it's normal. There is a shifter interlock thingie, that keeps you from shifting out of park w/o the brake pedal pushed. I would guess it's just that.

 

[REMillers]

Yes it i normal, as mention there is a protective action to keep the car from going out of park without the brake depress. This came about cause of people rolling into stuff and kids putting the car in gear when parents left them alone, or they climbed into the cars to play. The idea is a average kid (young) can not perform both actions.

If you also look near the shifter itself you should see a little square that you can pop out. This is the over ride in case the brake does not unlock the gear.

 

[Stealth5]

if you pop out hte e-brake boot deal and the bup holder, you can see whats making the click...its just a little locking piece to keep it in park

 

[shaunmp5]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I had almost convinced myself to brush this off until my girlfriend came home after driving the car and asks: "What's with the click when I press the brake?"
There may not be anything "wrong", but now I'm assured the car wasn't doing this before. And I know I've never heard it on any other car.
Should I take the car to the dealer tomorrow?

 

[KYREDP5]

Eh, did it in all my other ATX cars with the interlock.

 

[shaunmp5]

Just to be clear, it's not a subtle sound. It's a loud click that you can "feel" through the brake pedal.

I understand the science behind the shifter interlock and the protective mechanism, I just simply know I would've recognized this before I hit 4000 miles.

I searched the "other" forum and someone mentioned a solenoid may need to be replaced. Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is a solenoid?

Thanks for your replies, again.

 

[shaunmp5]

Okay, this will DEFINITELY answer my questions:

IF you own an AT P5, please go to your car and start it with the radio off.

Now lightly tap the brake pedal.

Hear and feel a fairly loud CLICK?

If you all do, then I guess there's no problem. If you all don't, I'd appreciate your response.

IF you own a MT P5, please disregard this post.

Thanks again!

 

[yay for cars]

tried it, no click. mine is a 2002 AT, no sport shift.

 

[tonkabui]

nope... no click that can be felt from mine's either. 2002.5 with sport shift. i think you should take it in for the dealer to look at the next chance you get.

 

[shaunmp5]

Thank you both. I appreciate you doing that. I'll take it in and let you know what the deal is. Sure glad to know that I'm not losing my mind!

Thanks again, guys.

 

[Stealth5]

i cant feel mine, but its definitely pretty loud...

 

[pingdum]

This happened to me too. I know all AT cars have an interlock thing, but I swear it didn't make a sound until after a few thousand miles, then it became quite clear. I don't think it affects the performance at all, I first noticed it about 9-10,000 miles ago, but it is annoying.

 

[tonkabui]

i only have 5600 miles on my car (bought it in august), so i don't know if this problem is going to pop up or not later... i'll keep you posted.

 

[shaunmp5]

I'm taking 'er in tomorrow. I doubt it's hurting anything (pingdum seems to be doing alright), but this is kinda ridiculous for a car with under 4000 miles.

It's simply annoying.

Thanks again for your replies, and I'll let you know what the dealership says. If they pull that "it's normal" BS, then I'll just ask them to prove it by starting up a P5 on the lot!

I'll keep you posted.

 

[tonkabui]

to clarify, i meant to say that there is a definite "sound" that clicks, but i cannot feel it through the pedal. good luck tomorrow at the dealership.

 

[REMillers]

Notice it on other cars and it never result in anything being bad, hopefully this isnt the case here.

The clicking on mine comes from the shifter area right below the release switch for it.

 

[shaunmp5]

Took the car to the dealer today. The mechanic says the "click" is a normal sound from an actuator. When I asked him why the car wasn't doing it before, he replied: "It'll do that once the car is broken in."

Whatever.

I'm still a bit uncomfortable with it. Doesn't seem right that the sound only exists for a handful of us. Oh well.