a method for monitoring the state of health of a solenoid powered by a battery includes measuring a voltage and a current supplied to the solenoid by the battery , using a processor to determine each of an equivalent resistance and inductance of the solenoid using the voltage and the current , comparing the equivalent resistance and the equivalent inductance to a corresponding calibrated threshold , and recording deviations from the corresponding calibrated thresholds as a pair of soh values . a trend of the soh values is continuously monitored , and an appropriate control action is taken when either soh value drops below a calibrated lower limit . a solenoid monitoring system includes a solenoid , voltage and current sensors , and a controller having an algorithm for continuously monitoring a state of health of the solenoid as set forth above .