1999 Saturn - Manual Transmission Problems?

Yes, be sure your car has worn transmission. Everything may be contributing, from the syncro rings worn (causing troubles in engaging gears) to the trambulator (the part that actually aligns your manual movement in the handle and transmits it to the gear shafts making the correct gear to engages the transmission). I am myself currently driving my small ride with worn 2nd syncro ring, and sometimes the 1st gear stuck and not engaging when stopped. Solution? While I am not able to put it apart and replace worn parts, I usually engage 3rd, 2nd and then 1st when stopped (what causes the gears to align itself and allowing 1st to engage normally - well, when it does not work, I just allow the car to turn the wheels about 1/8 and then it goes easy). Regarding the 2nd, when necessary to engage it from 3rd on climbs, for example, the solution is to sycronize the engine speed by actuating the clutch and accelerating the engine to a speed that allows the gear to work. It's easy neverteless, as I have driven a lot of junk before in my life. My wife complains that she is not able to drive my car, this is the real trouble I face now. Of course, HER car does not show any troubles, and she can drive perfectly. Guess who is in charge of the car maintenance...

I would almost think that your shifter linkage is damage, broken, or worn. You should have two shafts going from the shifter to the transmission. One would control the left and right (12,34,5R) and the other will control the forward and back (135, 24R).

Inspect the linkage for any excess play in any direction. I would hope that is your problem because its cheaper than a transmission.

I too feel you have some worn linkage parts! 35+ years of heavy line work on cars says so to me!

I've had a similar problem on my 2002 Saturn...twice in 200K miles. Both times the problem was fixed by replacing the linkage. Basically it misaligns the shifter with the gears so you can't fully shift in/out of gear. I like my Saturn otherwise, but that particular part was clearly a cost-cutter.

You'll very likely have to replace the linkage and cable, run you about $350 for parts and labor. Take it to someone who can tell you the problem over the phone by your description, not someone who is going to do a "diagnostic" and offer to top off your headlights.

Hello Cain Dogg,

Here is the listing of "Technical Service Bulletins" for 1999 Saturn. Check to see if applicable to your trouble.

Before continuing to pay out $$$ stop into an Auto-Zone and ask for diagnostic check - is free. Take a sample of the transmission fluid to have analyzed, with this information you may write back for substantive guidance from the membership of CR4.