A solenoid actuator, comprising: a bobbin having a longitudinally extending bore; a plunger rotatably and slideably disposed within the bore of the bobbin; a spring configured to bias the plunger in a first direction; a solenoid coil disposed in surrounding relationship with the bobbin, the solenoid coil having an energized state and a non-energized state, where the solenoid coil is capable of being energized to selectively move the plunger in a second direction opposite the first direction during the energized state; a pole member positioned within the bore and associated with the solenoid coil; and a latching mechanism, comprising: (i) a plurality of upper cam surfaces opposing a plurality of lower cam surfaces, the plurality of upper cam surfaces located on an upper pole piece section of the pole member, and the plurality of lower cam surfaces located on a lower pole piece section of the pole member; and (ii) a plurality of cam elements extending radially from the plunger, each cam element comprising an upper cam surface and a lower cam surface, wherein: 1) movement of the plunger in the second direction engages the upper cam surfaces of the plunger with the upper cam surfaces on the upper pole piece section of the pole member to rotate the plunger; and 2) movement of the plunger in the first direction engages the lower cam surfaces of the plunger with the lower cam surfaces on the lower pole piece section of the pole member to rotate the plunger. a bobbin having a longitudinally extending bore; a plunger rotatably and slideably disposed within the bore of the bobbin; a spring configured to bias the plunger in a first direction; a solenoid coil disposed in surrounding relationship with the bobbin, the solenoid coil having an energized state and a non-energized state, where the solenoid coil is capable of being energized to selectively move the plunger in a second direction opposite the first direction during the energized state; a pole member positioned within the bore and associated with the solenoid coil; and a latching mechanism, comprising: (i) a plurality of upper cam surfaces opposing a plurality of lower cam surfaces, the plurality of upper cam surfaces located on an upper pole piece section of the pole member, and the plurality of lower cam surfaces located on a lower pole piece section of the pole member; and (ii) a plurality of cam elements extending radially from the plunger, each cam element comprising an upper cam surface and a lower cam surface, wherein: 1) movement of the plunger in the second direction engages the upper cam surfaces of the plunger with the upper cam surfaces on the upper pole piece section of the pole member to rotate the plunger; and 2) movement of the plunger in the first direction engages the lower cam surfaces of the plunger with the lower cam surfaces on the lower pole piece section of the pole member to rotate the plunger. (i) a plurality of upper cam surfaces opposing a plurality of lower cam surfaces, the plurality of upper cam surfaces located on an upper pole piece section of the pole member, and the plurality of lower cam surfaces located on a lower pole piece section of the pole member; and (ii) a plurality of cam elements extending radially from the plunger, each cam element comprising an upper cam surface and a lower cam surface,