Bought this 03 Vibe GT that needed a trans, was really tore up. When I started to pull it I found a missing clip that holds the shift cable to the bracket just before it attaches to the trans. Might have been the problem with this trans however I had already bought another trans and a new clutch kit. Even if this trans would have been good with just a new clutch and of course the missing shift cable clip, I still had to pull it to do a clutch. Decided to use the new (used) trans I bought anyway.
Hit the internet searching for a shift cable clip. Found a forum (Thanks Acura guys!) where someone mentioned a Dorman "help" part, labled Breather Element Clips, that will work in a pinch. The Dorman part number is 41113. O'Rielies had it for me same day for $1.49. Came two in a pack. They are thinner than the stock clip but are still spring steel. I think both of them may fit in one slot for double strength. The width of the slot fits perfectly on the shift cable. Glad I didn't have to go rooting around a junk yard in the snow.
I'll have a re-buildable 6-speed core available for sale that might not need as much work as I first suspected since the shift cable was flopping loose. What is a 6-speed core worth? Seems most junkyards want a grand and up for a good trans. More for the woeful 5-speed.