Sloppy Tip gear lever - kicks out of manual to auto over bumps

[torontoworker]

Hi all,

               I've got a 99 996C2 with a Tiptronic gearshift issue.

 

When going over bumps the gearshift handle will move over to Auto position from Manual on its own. Too keep it in manual you have to hold it there. Its as if there is no more mechanical or frictional force being applied to keep the handle in the manual position any longer. You can move it back and froth with your pinky. I've looked through the service manual and cannot find a tension spring in the parts list. Looking at the whole assembly in pictures - the only thing I can see is a solenoid (circled in red) under the housing. Is it possible that this system uses the solenoid to keep the gear leaver in the manual position as soon as the micro switch is pressed in by the lever? I can't see any other item such as a fiction or tension spring that would keep this lever to the left in manual mode. I can buy a whole new *used* housing for around $100 or a new OEM for $1600! The failure was a night/day situation. One minute everything fine - then not. Clearly not something worn out as you would suspect a gradual once in awhile issue - not a sudden failure which is why I thought of a spring falling out or broken. Thanks

[torontoworker]

On second thought - this solenoid may be the shift interlock solenoid to prevent shifting from park without foot on the brake and key in the ignition powered up.