My Saturn Does Not Move But Engine Runs Fine? Clutch Problem?

Reader Question

I have a 2004 Saturn Ion 2 manual transmission. One day my wife was on her way to get me and the car started to rev really high, but wasn’t moving a lot. For example, she was at about 6K RPM in 5th gear but only doing about 45. When she arrived, I started to drive, but did not have these problems. Everything drove fine.

Two weeks later, while my wife was out of town, this occurred again on the highway, forcing her to pull off to the side of the road, because the car would not move. We had the car towed to a family member’s house. When I arrived to pick her up, I checked the car. When I put it in first, and released the clutch, nothing happened…not even jerk that would normally happen if you accidentally forgot you were in gear. The car moves forward and backward very slowly, but gives no reaction to the gas. It is as if the gear just won’t catch. Do I have a bad clutch? Transmission? What kind of problem am I looking at?

Thank you for all your help.

Roydell

Howdy Roydell

I think you have a bad clutch and will most likely need a new clutch disc and pressure plate. Probably $795 or so parts and labor depending on labor rates in your area. Normally I would recommend parts from the dealer, but I dont think you can buy new Saturn parts anymore, so your local auto parts store might be the only option. I would not use the brand Hytest!

Blessings
Austin Davis