Cock-eyed Shift Knob

:banghead:Ok, I have spent HOURS and HOURS researching this problem and I have gotten NO WHERE!!!:banghead: I have found information for all the problems involving the bushings and both of them under the shifter are in tact and undamaged, no cracks or anything!!

Actual Problem:

The shifter knob is sitting cock-eyed and you absolutely CANNOT access 1st and 2nd gear, you have to start off in 3rd. There is an arm under the housing that is attached to the shifter knob and it is also supposed to sit up straight instead it is sitting cocked out and almost looks as if that is what is causing the shifter knob to be "popped out of place" The arm is what works with the cables to actually shift car into gears 1-5 and R

I need to know if anyone else has had this problem and if/ HOW can it be fixed? I am on a strict budget and dont trust the dealer to give me a fair price. HELP PLEASE!!!!

inspect the cables, both on the transmission and shifter end, including the clips that mount the cables in place. disconnect the cables at the shifter and try to work the cable manually into gear. i am wondering if a streached cable is possible, also i have never heard of a bent shift but i wonder if it possible.

if you have no success, post on saturnfans.com

can you move the shifter into the lanes of 1st and 2nd and 5th and R? is it only rejecting you from putting it into 1st and 2nd?

I've had a similar problem. I couldn't shift out of 3rd gear. Problem was a frayed shift cable at the transmission. Medium to hard fix if you don't have 2 jacks. Got the cable for 75 bucks at a junkyard.