A detent mechanism is provided for a sliding valve which includes a valve slide that is accommodated within a valve housing and is linearly movable relative to a longitudinal axis. The detent mechanism has a linearly movable detent element configured to engage at least one detent notch. The detent notch is coupled with the valve slide such that when the detent element is locked into the detent notch, said valve slide is fixed along the longitudinal axis. A first spring prestresses the detent element in a direction of the detent notch. The detent element includes a permanent magnet or a ferromagnet and the detent mechanism includes an electric coil configured to generate a magnetic field. The detent element is configured to be moved in opposition to the prestressing force of the first spring and out of engagement with the detent notch via the magnet and magnetic field.