How Long Does a Shifter Interlock Solenoid Last?

Moving the gear shift from park to drive or reverse lets you move the car when you’re ready, but what happens if you bump the shifter accidentally and aren’t ready to roll? In older cars, this was a very real problem. However, newer models don't have that problem thanks to the shifter interlock solenoid.

Basically, the shifter interlock solenoid is a switch designed to lock your transmission into park unless the brake pedal is pushed. If you try to shift your car out of park without also holding the brake pedal down, you’ll find that it won’t move. This is a safety precaution and is installed on all automatic transmission cars manufactured in the last few decades (classic cars don’t have this feature).

The shifter interlock solenoid should last for the life of your vehicle, but premature failure is not that uncommon. When it happens, the shifter won’t move out of park, even with your foot on the brake. As a note, the same thing will happen if your brake light switch fails, or if something happens to your brake light circuit. It’s illegal and very unsafe to drive without brake lights, so a safeguard has been built into your car to prevent that from happening (note that this won’t do anything if the brake light bulb burns out – it only applies to the circuit itself). If the brake light switch fails (and it does happen), then the shifter interlock solenoid will prevent you from putting the car in drive.

Given the importance of the shifter interlock solenoid, it’s important that you know the signs to watch for that may indicate it’s about to fail, or has already given up the ghost. These include:

  • Shifter won’t move out of park (can indicate a failed solenoid, or a failed brake light switch)

  • Shifter is hard to move out of park (indicates a problem with the solenoid, but not complete failure)

  • You have to use the interlock bypass to get the transmission out of park

If you suspect that your shifter interlock solenoid is about to fail, or has already failed, the mobile mechanics at YourMechanic can help. A mechanic will come to your location, inspect and replace the shifter interlock solenoid, the brake light switch and other components if needed.


The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

How Long Does a Thermo Coolant Fan Switch Last?
There There are many hard-working parts in your vehicle but perhaps the hardest working part of all is your engine. With that said it's easy to understand why your engine heats up. Allowing it to overheat means you risk damaging...
How Long Does a Traction Control Switch Last?
Traction Traction control helps to prevent the vehicle from losing traction while you are driving down the road. The traction control system is turned on when the throttle input and engine torque do not match the road surface conditions. Some...
5 Best Pressure Washers for Cleaning your Car
Pressure washing your car with any of these 5 products gives you a fast, clean, and inexpensive car wash every time.

Related questions

My car gets hot while sitting but cools down driving is it ok
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2013 Hyundai Elantra. This could be a couple of things such as a faulty thermostat that is stuck open or closed or potentially a faulty coolant fan switch. When the coolant fans...
Issue with Mazda 626, starts up then makes a grinding noise while in park
Your symptoms suggest that the starter solenoid contacts are burned enough to stick in the "Start" position (engaging the starter drive and motor), even when the ignition switch is not energizing the relay portion of the starter solenoid. The starter...
I just rebuilt my 65 RFE transmission and it works great but am getting the code 4th gear ratio incorrect.
Check the transmission fluid and see if its full and clean. If the fluid is original, then I suggest flushing out the fluid and changing the transmission oil filter. If the fluid is good and has been changed, then the...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com