Hard shifting manual 5 speed transmission in warm months of summer and spring. feels like linkage will bend before going into first and second gear.

Check the linkage under the stick console. May be lose or broken.

Does that transmission have external shift linkage? Sounds like a linkage broke or the neutral gate is way off.

Hi there:
I would suspect it is the shifter not the cable or the transmission to rule out the trans from under the explorer on the drivers side near the pan is the shift linkage disconnect it by prying the ball and socket apart and rotate the lever through the gears to the rear is park then one forward is reverse then N,D,3,2,1 when pushing the lever into park it will feel spring loaded if the parking pawl is not perfectly lined up this will line up if it rolls a little bit DANGER DO NOT LET VEHICLE ROLL OVER YOU.





Other Concern: No Park Range Possible Component Reference/Action
256 - ELECTRICAL ROUTINE
Powertrain Control System
- No electrical concerns

356 - HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL ROUTINE
Shift Cable/Digital TR sensor
- Cable system or digital TR sensor damaged, misaligned
- Inspect and repair as required. For shift cable information, refer to Section 307-05. For digital TR information, refer to Digital Transmission Range (TR) Sensor in this section.

Case
- Manual control lever assembly damage, manual valve inner lever pin bent, manual valve inner lever damaged, spring rod damaged
- Inspect for damage. If damaged, repair as necessary.

- Manual valve lever shaft retaining pin damaged
- Inspect for damage. If damaged, repair as necessary.

Park System
- Park gear, parking pawl, parking pawl return spring, park or guide plate, parking actuating rod, parking pawl shaft, manual lever, manual lever detent spring damaged or misassembled
- Inspect for damage. If damaged, repair as necessary.

- External linkages/brackets damaged
- Inspect for damage. If damaged, repair as necessary.

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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

possible selector linkage adjustment , loose or shifted

CODE P500 VSS NO SIGNAL.PROBLEM COULD BE CONNECTOR TO VSS IS SHORTED OR THE MAGNET GEAR ON TRANSMISSION DRIVE SHAFT COULD BE BROKEN OR MISSING TEETH.

Sounds like your synchronization rings inside the tranny are wearing out try changing the transmission oil and adding product like lucas oil treatment , if it helps lay off the downshifting until your ground speed matches your engine speed for the gear your ring to go in. like really slow speeds ...

Change the fluid in the trans. If that dont work then your throwout is going bad and not disengaging clutch fully.

First thing to do,try to pump your clutch before you shift into 1st gear then if you feel makes better, most probably you have problem with your hydraulic clutch system, check the clutch line if there is an evidence of fluid leaking or it could be internal leak.

Second thing to do, check your transmission oil, may be it' s too old or you use a thick oil thats why when cold its hard to shift then when the engine rich the normal temperature(warm) the oil become thin and the shifting will smooth. Remember the very old oil become thicken and the purity is gone and can cause of hard shifting. in this regards i suggest you to change the transmission oil and check the used oil if there is small peace of metals, then you are in big trouble,

Hi,
maybe has a broken linkage or the bolt came lose.
Check if you can engage hall the gears pushing the linkage by hand,engine ranning and same one pressing the clutch!that way you can have same idea wath is wrong?!