I have a 2001 Suzuki Vitara 5 speed manual. My problem is that i cannot select any gears. It will go into reverse with some grinding, but when i try to select 1st it will not go in, theres alot of pressure there. At first i thought it may be the slave cylinder. But upon inspection i noticed that the arm off of the right side of the transmission by the slave cylinder slides back and forth when the clutch is pressed/depressed. Is this supposed to happen? Or is there a fork worn out/broken. And what other possible problems could this be?

This forum may help you solve the problem.

https://www.zukiworld.com/forum/suzuki-grand-vitara-vitara-chevy-tracker-(gen-2-platform)-1999-2005/sticky-1st-gear-common-transmission-problem/

what is stiff (add a noun here)
blush.....
clutch pedal stiff
shifter lever stiff.
grinds , a bad clutch will make the lever seem stiff or will grind, if forced.
gears balk? same as stiff.
false neutrals. (slips , gear not engaging)

The easiest way is to go in reverse and then press the break pedal firmly. Do this several times. You will need to get a bit of speed, maybe a fast walk.

H there,

It's either related to your clutch (is it cable operated or hydraulic?) being out of adjustment or low fluid pressure, or you have a loose linkage.

I would investigate these 2 issues, before looking at the gearbox.

Also, have your vehicle checked for diagnostic codes in case it is an electrical issue.

Cheers,

http://www.certifiedtransmission.com/rebuilt-automatic-transmissions.asp?mfg=suzuki go to that site and check the motor size,, they have a customer service number that you can call an ask about the interchange

The syncros are going bad on that shaft. The 5th gear and Reverse are on the same shaft. You will have to bring it to a shop to have the parts replaced as it will only get worse.

maybe shifter adjustment, bad reverse signazors in trans.

Sounds like a clutch problem to me.
So, with the engine off, can you select all gears? If yes, your gearbox is probably OK.
And now with the engine idling, can you select any gears with out crunching? If this is difficult, then try this next test in an area where movement forward or backwards won't be a problem.
With the engine OFF, foot ON the clutch, the handbrake OFF, and in 1st gear, start the car. BE READY TO TURN IT OFF.
If the car moved forward as you cranked the engine, then your clutch is not adjusted properly or has worn out. That is more-than-likely the smell you got before - burnt clutch disc from it slipping.
You can drive it, but every time you want to start off, you'll have to turn the engine off, select 1st then start the engine. Accelerate slowly, making sure the revs don't rise faster that you're speeding up, and change gear by judging engine revs between gears.
Don't keep driving it as it is, as you WILL have gearbox problems if you don't fix the clutch.

you need to check the wires from the shifting lever, when you put it at reverse a wire is caught at the mechanism creating a short circuit that makes it shut off the engine.