Couldn't shift gears when cold.

[danwest]

I just bought a used 95 Sunfire 2dr last week with 151,000 kms on it. This morning it was real cold -17 Celsius (2 degrees U.S.). When I started the car I couldn't shift gears through neutral. I could shift from 1st to 2nd but couldn't go through neutral to shift into reverse. After the car warmed up a bit I was able to finally shift through neutral. I checked the clutch fliud level and it was fine. I couldn't seem to find the dip stick for checking th manual transmission fluid level.

I have also noticed that even when warm the shifter doesn't return to neutal on it's own, you have to put it in place. On all previous manual transmissions I have driven if you pull gently on the shifter with your finger tips it naturally goes into neutral.

Has anyone experienced this before and do you know what the problem is and roughly how much it would cost to get it fixed?

[godenm]

my 98 z24 does the same thing when its below freezing outside,the shifter wont move. and yes the shift linkage feels more stiff than any other 5-speed that ive had,and installing a short shift doesnt help.however i do like that stiff shift feel when running through the gears. but i have no idea why it freezes up when cold either.