Shifting problem

2002 SATURN SC1
220,000 MILES • 1.9L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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JAREDSCHRACK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
While I was driving today in fourth gear I went to switch to fifth and it went out. so the car would only run in third and fourth.it would start off in third and switch to fourth with no problem but would not go in any other gear. the gear shifter itself wobble back and forth while it was in gear. I tried to put the car in first second reverse or any other gear but it will not go into any gear other then third and fourth. Also very wobbly like it's just not even in any gear. what is my problem?
Nov 3, 2019 at 4:55 PM
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MASTERWRENCH
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 258 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
The shifter uses two cables to control transmission gear selection. One cable transmits the forward and back movement of the shift lever to the transmission and the other is responsible for the left to right action. It sounds like the cable that controls the left to right movement may have come loose or broken. To inspect the cable connections at the shift lever assembly, you'll need to unbolt it from the floor(cable connections are on the underside). See the attached diagrams for specific information on how to complete this.
Nov 4, 2019 at 8:14 PM
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