Hey, folks. I've got a manual SL2, 2001, and the shifter has started to feel loose. Many times it will shift into 3rd instead of 1st from a stop. The shifter feels like it has more play in it than it should. I suspected the bushings on the transmission wires, but they were pristine. I checked the wires, and they were like new. I think the previous owner must have replaced the wires and bushings at some point. I've tightened up the bracket that holds the tranny wires in place, but it still has excess play and tends to shift into third instead of first.

This may sound weird, but it feels like when I move the shifter over to go into first, it just goes way too far, like it has left the 5-speed pattern and is way off.

Has anyone else run into this or do you have any ideas?

 

Recheck the shifter bushing itself. The one that holds the cable ends onto the shifter.

Also check where the cables attach at the transmission