Lost 1st,2nd,5th and rev. :(

Hey all. I'm new to the Saturn Community. Just picked up my Saturn last Thrusday. Its a 1996 SC2 w/ 144k. Super clean in and out. Car was working fine when I picked it up. Then about 30 minutes into my commute the Shifter starts slowly straying to the left. So I just kept my hand on the shifter to keep it in place till I got home. Got on the freeway and 5th Gear was gone. Get home and park it for the weekend. Came back today and 1st,2nd,5th, and Reverse are gone. Only have 3rd and 4th. I read through some posts on here, but seemed like most people lost 2nd,4th and Rev. Not 1st,2nd,5th,Rev.

I really need to get this car fixed so I can get to class. So any advice would be appreciated. I read that some people did a temp. zip tie fix or something, but don't know the details. I'm a bit new to car repair, so any pointers or tips will go a long way. Thanks again.

I'm not sure it it's your problem, but you are thinking of the shift cable retainers that sometimes break on these cars. They are under the shifter boot beneath the console.

i agree. shift cables usually only leave you with one gear, or neutral. your problem sounds internal.

Im thinking shifter cables as well. I replaced so many of those cables. They are kinda a pain to do. The bushings come apart and you can only get them with the cables.

I took off my console and the bushing is intact. I read that if the Bushing broke, the car would only be stuck in whatever gear it broke in. So its not that.

I read this on another forum and I think it is the problem.

"Think of how the brake cables work on your bike. The inner cable actually pulls the caliper because the outer housing is held fixed relative to the frame. These cables work the same way. The end of the housing goes into a slotted hole cast into the tranny case, and a little metal clip (here's a photo (http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/data/500/shifterclip1.jpg)) holds it in place. If the clip comes off and the housing pops out, the shifter MAY still move the cable some, and it won't feel totally loose, but you'll have severely limited or no function. Cross your fingers; that clip MAY still be laying around in the engine compartment."

Is this something a mechanic should check out. I have no Idea where to start. If anyone has had this problem please comment.

No, you should be able to check that yourself. You may need to remove the air intake tube for better vison. You will see that bracket where the cables go into. There will be a brass colored fitting at the end of the cable near the bracket. If you can move that fitting back and forth, then that clip is probably not there. You should be able to see if it is there anyways.

that could possibly be it. and it is easy to check. i've had a few vues do that, but never an s-series.