my 2002 saturn won't shift. Any ideas?

2002 SATURN

VUE
L-Series
S-Series

Auto trans
Manual trans

What the heck, I'm guessing your a female, but just a bit more info is need then what you provided. We don't care what color the car is or the color your nails.

It's a 1999 SL2. Basically it just feels like there's nothing to shift into now because the stick moves in all directions with almost no resistance. It happened suddenly. I was pulling out of a parking lot in 1st and then went to shift into 2nd and there was nothing there. I suddenly found myself in neutral with no power. I pulled over and thought that it was a lost cause but then I moved the stick far forward and I was finally able to catch a high gear; maybe 3rd. I made it home, somehow making most stop lights with a little timing, but had to stop once and barely got the car moving again in that higher gear.

sounds like the shifter bushing went out which seems to be a common issue with the s-series.
your best option would be to get this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stainless-Saturn-Stick-Shift-Shifter-Cable-Bushing_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14 QQhashZitem19b13dbd89QQitemZ110347795849QQptZMotor sQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
but any of these will work
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=shifter%20bushing&_dmpt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&_fln=1&_ssov=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&Make=Saturn

Indeed, sounds like shifter bushing failure.
I used the stainless one from the first link above and have been quite happy with the results.

You will know for sure when you remove the center console (< 6 screws, a switch popout, and a bulb removal.

While waiting for parts:You can reseat the shifter cable end over the end of the shifter and secure with zip ties applied in an "X" pattern. Just test it in the driveway before you go out on the road, and shift gently.

Thank you, sooooooo much. I am very familiar with all the Corvette forums, I belong to, and wondered if just maybe, there would be a Saturn Forum and if I could get any help on it. Well, I found it, you helped me and I am so thankful. Last but not least, how much should I expect to pay for this type of repair?

Again, thank you!

So I take it your SL is a 5 speed manual transmission, if so go to your nearest SATURN retailer and buy a set of shift cables. Fix it right fix it once .......

thank you, you guys are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turned out to be the cable. Repair job $400.00+ :-(

Thanks for all your help, however.

We told you what was wrong not what it cost to repair.....sorry.