Control device for the parking lock of an motor vehicle

A locking pawl engaging with an output gear is hydraulically operated. To monitor the actual position of the pawl (engaged or disengaged) a pressure sensor records the pressure in the hydraulic operating cylinder. Two pressure thresholds are set, the first defining the engagd position of the pawl and the second the disengaged position whilst a third pressure range lies between the first two so that the control system always has, at any time, clear indication of the momentary position of the pawl.