shifting issues
 

Hello all,

My beloved 95 SC2 5-sp developed and issue today where all of a sudden it wouldn't shift into any gear at all without significant force being applied to the shifter. Later in the same trip it would be just fine.

Kinda scary on I95 in near Philly.

Any ideas at all what it could be?

My first thought is perhaps you need some fluid in the clutch master or slave cylinder. The second thought it a linkage problem. Check them both asap. One a side note, have you ever added or even checked the fluid level in the transmission? That would actually be the first thing to look at.

i should really pop the hood and check something.

Got in it today (3 days after incident) and clutch pedal has very little resistance (only a bit down at the bottom).

This was not an issue while last driving it............

Have you popped the hood yet, Derf?

not yet crazy at work

Oh and the shifter is jammed in first -- afraid to try to force it out

I'm thinkin the master.slave unit developed a leak and I have no fluid left.

Should get to it by this weekend

Have you noticed any fluid leaking underneath the car lately? Possible loss of fluid in the clutch system would cause loss of resistance and minimal action. Have somebody rock the car while you try to get transmission into neutral. Once you succeed, start engine, depress clutch and try to shift into first. Loss of fluid or defective clutch, and you won't be able to do it

ok master cylinder (clutch) down slightly but not enough to make any difference I don;t believe. Certainly not dry or anything close.

Pumped the hell out of the clutch pedal and was able to work out of 1st and through all gears. Left in neutral.

Pedal still has minimal resistance -- only at very bottom.

The clutch engages almost as soon as the pedal comes up --this was never the case before. No slippage either -- I held it stationary in the driveway.

I'm thinking it is an internal failure of the hydraulics, since this is the only explanation that comes to mind that would lead to such a sudden change in pedal resistance and clutch engagement point AND also be quasi intermittent the way it developed.


Looking for confirmation before i go to order one.

I'm wondering if the throwout bearing that rides on the clutch fingers has failed. With the engine running, are you getting any strange sounds from the clutch housing when you press the pedal to the floor?

nope -- quite silent.

Plus -- if the throwout bearing has failed, I wouldn't think I'd be able to get it in and out of gear at all

OK.....so.......
Purchased a new master/slave unit from former Saturn dealer ($200 + Tax ..ouch... but I'm an OEM kinda guy for stuff I feel matters).

Used the how to I found here (oics are at the bottom):
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60471

Enjoyed the upside down time with the retaining clip.

Looked like master cylinder had a leak at pushrod.

Normal clutch feel, normal shifting, back on the road.