95 saturn sl 2 5 speed manual transmission, clutch pedal is fine. shifter wont go into gear

take the console out and look under the shifter, if the shifter cables are disconnected from the shifter go to a parts store or ebay and get yourself a Saturn shifter bushing repair kit. happens all the time to S Saturns and maybe the Ls look on youtube for instructions to remove console and put on the bushing kit.

if the shifter cables are still connected you may have to be looking around for a lower mileage used transmission. 96-98 saturn will fit so long as the donor car has the same head, being DOHC or SOHC. so if you have an SL1 you can use a transmission out of another SL1, or an SC1, or an SW1. do not mix a 2 with a 1, bad mojo.

Possible causes are: The clutch is going out, the hydraulic clutch system is low on fluid, or the transmission input shaft is binding on the pilot bearing. 1. Is the pedal firm and does it feel like it used to? (low fluid). 2. Once in gear and moving push on clutch and notice when the transmission disengages. If it does not disengage until the pedal is almost at the top then the clutch is getting thin and will need replacing. 3. With vehicle on a smooth flat surface, depress clutch and try to shift into any and all gears. Notice if vehicle tries to lurch forward as shifter goes into gear. This may be a subtle lurch but should be noticeable. This checks for a binding pilot bushing. Let me know what you find. Thanks and please rate.

You need to adjust the clutch cable. It runs from the fire wall to the shift lever on the back of the transmission.

I take it that you have a standard transmission ? there is no adjustment, but on the saturns the plastic insert on the shifter lever (remove the center console) is what breaks, Napa auto parts has the replacement part for about $20, or you can go to saturn and spend $200 on replacing both cables

Good Evening, mostly your transmission is good. I would be questioning the the condition of your clutch disc, but first I would have to say clutch master and or slave cylinder. I have had a few run across the lot where the clutch master cylinder has leaked internally just up above your clutch pedal where the rod goes through the firewall. let me know what you find, and when was any clutch work done.

This is the automotive equivalent of a ***-change operation. In short, dont do it...
The problem you have is not if the tranny will fit (which it won't as a direct bolt-in replacement), the problem is in everything else that needs to be moded. Your engines computer is not programed to recognize or work with a manual tranny. You would need to modify the console to accept a manual shifter, install a clutch and clutch pedal assembly, plumb the needed fluid systems, and replace the entire wiring harness in the engine bay. In short, if you are asking - this won't go well and even if it did work, the car would not be reliable. By the time you spend everything involved in this project, it would be much cheaper to buy a 95 or 98 Saturn with the transmission that you prefer.

Ms Derry ,I would check the pair of shift cables and shifter itself before suspecting internal transmission problems.The cables attach to the shifter then runs to the linkage on the transmission.One cable is responsible for side to side movement as the other is for moving front to back(like 1st to second) Center console removal is fairly simple which requires mounting screw(4) removal on the front sides and in the rear cup holder.This gives you an opportunity to view the shifter and cable operation from above while this movement should also be appreciated at the transmission linkage meaning someone shifts the vehicle as another inspects proper movement at the transmission.If all this is actuating properly,you may need to tear down and inspect transmission but hopefully it can be rectified with external repairs mentioned...good luck

check for leaks on master cylinder if you haft to add brake fluid its definately leaking,throw out bearing maybe going out?may of glazed pressure plate? good luck!!

indicates syncro ring or gear problem in the transmission

It sure sounds like a clutch problem, You describe needing more RPM's which indcates a slipping clutch. If the shifter goes into each gear but the car doesn't move your clutch is gone or the linkage is stuck or inoperative. hope this helps, Chuck