1996 Saturn SL2 transmission wont work

MIRTRAN24

MEMBER
1996 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
149,911 MILES

Hi, I have a 96 saturn sl2 and my brother bought if for my birthday, the only problem with it is that the transmission doesnt work. When I shift into all the gears with the engine running and clutch pedal untouched, there is no grinding. Clutch pedal can be pushed down fine but nothing happens when I shift it. Also when I put it into reverse it makes a little popping noise, it pops once and I dont know if thats bad, the car does not run in any of the gears, any suggestion before I get it fixed and pay more then I need to? And the engine is very rough at idle.

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 AT 4:29 AM

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Let's start with the no gear's can you hear and feel it going into all the gear's?Also your inside shifter isn't all loose is it?When it pop's once when you put it in reverse they all do that on the manual transmission's. If you can hear and feel it go into each gear then go out to the transmission and see if the linkage is moving while someone shift's into each gear. If all that look's good you probably have a worn out clutch. As far as your running rough does it smooth out when you raise the rpms up?Also do you have any code's in the computer?

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Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 AT 11:17 AM

MIRTRAN24

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Well to start off, I can feel a little tension when I go to shift it into the gears, and when I do go to shift it into the gear, you can still move the shifter around in its position, lets say I put it into first, I feel like I can wiggle it around to make it look like its in 3rd. Yes the linkage is moving, had my brother shift it into gears and the linkage seems to be working fine. And yes when I rev up the engine it doesnt have the roughness, but when I let go of the gas, it lowers the rpm's to less then 1000 and almost dies out. Thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you soon

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Friday, July 16th, 2010 AT 9:10 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

It seems like there is some play in the shifter but I don't think that is causing your no gear's. Let's do this pop the cup holder out by the cig lighter and look in there at the base of the shifter and make sure the cables are attached. If the cable's are attached on both end's and the cable's are moving like they should when you shift gear's then I would be looking at your clutch for being worn out or trouble's with your transmission. Also make sure your fluid is full in your transmission and it's red not black or milky or even sliver.

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Friday, July 16th, 2010 AT 3:04 PM