2005 Clicking noise when braking

There's a clicking noise in the center console when braking. Almost sounds like the gear shift noise (automatic trans).

That is the solenoid which prevents shifting out of park unless the brake pedal is depressed.

That makes sense but why would it be clicking when motoring along and the brakes are applied to slow down?

I suppose because of simplicity of design -- you press the brake pedal and it unlocks. I guess you could make the system more complicated by adding another switch and programming it to recognize when the vehicle is not in park to disable the solenoid. Or you could insulate the solenoid mechanism to eliminate the noise. Of course, I use a much simpler method. I drive with the radio on.

I don't think I've explained this properly. Every time the brakes are applied to slow down the solenoid is going, "click, click, click, click, click until the brakes are released. I can understand one click but not continuing to click all the while the brake pedal is pressed.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about a single click when you depressed the pedal. It is definitely not supposed to click repeatedly. Sounds like either a bad solenoid or a bad electrical connection. I would guess it should not cost very much to diagnose and repair.