In the process of changing my headlight dimmer switch on my 94 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, I noticed this piece that's right in front of the dimmer switch. What I noticed about it is that it was getting extremely hot to the touch. I know that can't be right. So I got to messing with it some, and I just can't figure out what it is or what it does. I also noticed that if I unplugged the clip with 2 wires that hooks onto it, it no longer gets hot, but the whole car seems to function perfectly still.

Here is what I'm talking about without the wires connected




Here it is with the wires connected.


So, what it does is when you turn the ignition on the car on, it pulls this cable and white plastic piece on the cable out. When you have the wires connected, once it comes out it starts pulling it back in. If you leave the wires disconnected, the cable just stays out until you turn the ignition switch back off at which point the cable will go back in.

So does anyone know what this is, and what it does? I'm assuming it's gone bad since it's getting so hot, but I figure it could be something else bad trying to make it pull that cable in if it shouldn't. However, with the wires disconnected it doesn't get hot, and everything still seems to work fine that I can tell. I'm wondering if I should even attempt to fix this, or just leave it disconnected since it's my beater.

 

That is you shift selector brake/interlock solenoid when you step on the brake pedal it energizes the solenoid and unlocks your shift selector so you can select a gear.

CC