Locked into second gear

Greetings!
About 3-4 weeks ago while driving home I shifted from third to second
gear and the gear shift immediately went, for want of a better word,
limp. No grinding, no lurch, it just went into second and won't come
out. The clutch will depress and apperas to be operative, but the gear
shifter does not seem to be linked to anything anymore. This is a 1996
SL1 sedan, with about 100,000 miles on it. I've been told by various
people over the phone it could be anything from a stripped gear, to a
bad transmission, to just needing clutch fluid. Unfortunately, I can't
locate the clutch fluid dipstick, so if anyone could point me to that,
I'd appreciate it. Any ideas/comments as to what maybe wrong?

 

The clutch would not make the shifter limp. YOu either have a problem
with the shifter and its linkage or in the shift rails in tranny. I
suspect linkage first here though.

 

There is a small plastic piece where the shift linkage connects to the
transmission that tends to break. When it does your shifter is
effectively disconnected from the transmission. Last I heard Saturn
only sells the whole shift linkage for some crazy price but there are
some inventive fixes floating around out there and someone on e-bay
was selling just the plastic piece for a few bucks.

Google for "Saturn shift linkage" and you should find some answers.

Steve B.

 

I would not be surprized as GM tries to milk out maximum profit.

 

Google is your friend. It finds 51 threads from just this newsgroup.

http://groups.google.ca/groups?lnk=hpsg&hl=en&q=shifter+clip+group:rec.autos.makers.saturn

You can also search here
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/search.php

Good luck

 

Actually, about 6-7 months ago I did have to have that clip replaced.
I was shifting from 4th to 5th, heard a grinding noise, and then
couldn't shift into 2nd, 4th or reverse. I could shift into 1st, 3rd
and 5th with no problems. So it sounds like it's this problem
recurring?

 

Same thing happened to me 3 weeks ago!
STUPID LINKAGE!
Problem was the "front-back" attachment point. The plastic cap that
kept
the shifting rod/cable fitting in place snapped off. (WHIMPY piece of
Engineering!!!)
I used a large folder clip (essential huge paperclip) to hold the thing
in place.
No problems since then!!!
-WaV

 

Turns out it was the shifter cables. Had the dealer replace them, and
haven't had a problem since htne....(knock on simulated wood panelling)

 

Just few questions:
What year is your Saturn?
Model? SOHC?
If the dealer replaced the linkage; how much "did it hurt"?

thanks.

daniel r.