Changed Pads/Clicking Noise From Column

2002 Grand Caravan Sport, 55000 miles, 3.3L, 2wd. I just changed the front brake pads on both sides. I also checked the rear driver side drum and those pads looked fine. The old pads I took off were about 15% left. I didnt have any problems taking them off or putting the new ones on. Also changed the oil while I had it up.

I lowered her down and pumped the brakes a few time. In Park and Park Only, I am getting an odd clicking noise coming from the steering column when I apply the brake pedal. I repeat the noise is only when the car is idleing in park, no other gears and not when moving. It clicks once when the brake pedal is applied and again when the brake pedal is released. I could feel the vibration from the clicking in the steering column somewhere so I took off the lower plastic underneath the steering wheel and there is a small white plastic piece that is moving back and forth when the brakes are applied.....but only in park. It is directly underneath the steering wheel shaft and with the plastic off can be clearely seen. I have of course lost my Hanes manuel so I have no idea what it is. I can put a screw driver against it and hold it in place and then the clicking is gone. I was thinking maybe some kind of sensor or something maybe broke and that piece should not be moving? I hope I described this well enough.

I was also thinking maybe it has something to do with the fact you cannot move your shifter into any other gear without the brake applied if I remember right. A broken cable or something? Please help and thanks!

That's the BTSI solenoid (Brake Transmission Shift Interlock). Pressing on the brake pedal with the gearshift in park and key in on/run or start position de-energizes solenoid and allows you to shift to any gear.

It never made any loud clicking noise before though. Why would it start now?

Now you know how a mechanic feels when a customer brings a car back after an unrelated repair and says, "It didn't do that when I brought it in!" My only guess is that after the brake job when you applied the brake pedal to push out the caliper pistons, you may have let the brake pedal up too fast and changed the alignment on the brake pedal switch which activates the solenoid. Check the brake pedal switch to make sure your brakes lights are not on constantly and that the switch is calibrated to the pedal properly.

will do, thank you

I dunno, brake lights working fine, brakes working great. O well, it doesnt seem to effect anything......yet.