1999 Saturn Shifter

So what happens when you shift the car?Does the arm's on the transmission shift tower not move?I would unhook the cable from the transmission that look's bad and see if the shifter move's and have someone watch what that cable does.There is no special tool's needed to replace the cable's.

The shifter moves front and back (like from 3rd to 4th) but will not move side to side (like from 1st to 5th).

So are the cable's moving and arms on the shifter tower of the transmission moving to go into gear?

I don't think it is actually going into (or out of gear). I think that the cable is moving without really doing anything. I think that the cable is just bending.

Those cable's are pretty stiff to be bending.Did the cable end come uncrimped?If the cable's are not moving the arm's on the shifter housing on the transmission but you can move them with your hand's without the cable's on them then i would be looking at the shifter linkage.

ok, let's say that I wanted to replace the shifter cables. What is involved? Once I got them out, what is involved in getting the new ones in correctly. I am assuming that the new ones down just "plug in" to the transmission, everything has to be right or else nothing will work. Is that correct?

To replace the cable's you remove the center console and i recommend using a razor blade to split the carpet/sound deadner to help get the old cables out thru the firewall and the new one's back in.Then it's just a matter of unhooking the cable's and routing the new one's back in.It's going to be a little tougher doing it without a lift though.I have heard bad thing's about the aftermarket cable's so it's up to you if you want to go aftermarket or factory cable's.Yes everything has to correct with the new one's or it isn't going to shift correctly.

so how do I make sure that everything is correct? Also, I was able to twist the end of the cable that is attached to the transmission with my fingers (at least it felt like it). How is that attached?

The cable housing is attached to the transmission with a big H shaped clip that pulls straight up to remove it.The cable end on the transmission has a similar clip that holds it on.To make sure you have the cable's correctly when installing them to the transmission you want the black cable end in the bottom position and the white cable end in the top position.On the inside of the car the black caped end goes towards the drivers seat.While installing the cable's make sure those end's will line up properly so you won't have any problem's.pretty much that's it.

Those cables run about $250, right?

The information i have is Shift Cable part number 21120125 is $133.41.That's suggested list price doesn't mean that's what there going to charge you.You need to call the dealer for the right price.

thanks for all your help

your welcome that's what were here for.

I'm back. Just got around to trying to fix this. I have attached a picture of the problem. I do not know how to detach the cable. Can you guide me?

I got the cables detached from the transmission, and the white one detached from the shifter. I can not get the black one detached from the shifter. Is there some trick? or a tool?

No trick or tool they both come out the same way there is a big H shaped clip holding the cable to the transmission housing then a smaller clip holding the cable end on the shifter arm.

I got it out. Thanks. Now I just have to get the replacement and put it in.

That's good let me know how it goes.