2005 Saturn Vue Is it a bad shift cable?

CSILVA84

MEMBER
2005 SATURN VUE
4 CYL
AWD
MANUAL
56,000 MILES

My 2005 saturn vue has been somewhat stiff when shifting for about 5000 miles now. Today when I was driving home, I went to shift into 4th gear and it made a grinding noise and wouldn't shift into it at all. I drove a little further in fifth gear which worked fine. I stopped at a light and started to accellerate when 2nd gear went out. And then 3rd went out. I stopped and tried to put it in reverse and reverse was out too! First and fifth work fine though. Every time I try putting it in another gear, it's like shifting into neutral, but with a slight grinding sound. I don't think my gears or clutch are bad though as those would be things that get progressively worse. Could it be just a bad shift cable? And if so, is it an easy part to fix for an at home mechanic? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

1 Reply

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

You may need a shifter. On the bottom of the shifter arm there is a plastic connector that goes into the adjuster on the end of the shifter cable. These wear out.
The cable ends at the shifter are now replaceable as I understand it. You may want to buy cables as well. The ends to go when the cables start to go and they get stiff and don't move as easy as they should. Look at the ends of the cable where they sit, below them. If there is something like graphite shavings then the cables are going bad.

I believe that the part numbers for the cable ends. 15212801--looks like the driver side cable. 15212802--looks like the passenger side. 22686398--are the hold in/lock clips.

This is a dealer item.

I don't know your skill level or the tools and time you posess, so that is your call. Keep in mind if you get stuck and have to tow it in, it will cost more that if they started fresh.