I have a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire and shortly after buying it I was at a stoplight and when I shifted from 1st to 2nd, something popped or at least it felt like that and then I could only use 3rd. Recently my nephew looked at it and I am not sure what he did but I now have all the up gears and none of the bottom ones. Meaning I cannot use 2nd, 4th, or reverse. He said sometimes he can get it to go into 2nd and 4th but never reverse. I tried to look to see what kind of engine it is but honestly I just don't know.

Well, it makes no difference, which engine you have, a 2.2 or 2.4......

Unfortunately, you have a 4T40E transmission, which means you do not have a typical dip stick to check fluid level and color/smell......to check fluid level takes a special procedure.....

The vehicle should be scanned for codes....

About the only thing you can do, is make sure that the shift cable is intact.....

Open the hood, apply ebrake, key on, engine off.....with someone behind the wheel, and foot on brake, manually shift the shifter and watch the end of the cable, that if moves the lever on top of the tranny....if it does with each movement of the shifter, then the cable is ok.....

Then you have to check fluid level, and check for codes....

I get the impression that this is a 5 speed manual. I would be checking the shift linkages, hopefully it'* not internal.

RJolly, after rereading, I think you are correct....

Yes it is a 5 speed manual, when my nephew and dad looked at it they said they thought the cables were still connected so I guess I need to bite the bullet and take it into town to a mechanic, it'* a long drive when things are not running right so I was hoping it might just have been something they missed. Thank you for your responses