2008 Saturn Vue

The car was making kinda grinding noises at a stop once in a while. Then yesterday is wouldn't shift into next gear.
Obviously sounds like it would be replace transmission but I am hoping rather praying it's not that. Turned it off for a while checked fluid level and clairity. Put my foot on break and went through all gears...Drive, reverse, etc. I don't know what M is or the one with squiggly lines.
And now it's fine again.
I'm older gal on SS so don't have much money.
Any ideas?

 

Is the check engine light on?
Check engine, service engine soon.... Same thing.

If it is, please go to AutoZone or similar and ask them to read your diagnostic codes. It's 100% free. Come back here and post the codes which are in the format of Pxxxx where the x's are numerical digits.

Do not purchase anything to address any code that comes up. The AutoZone person does not know squat about Saturns.

Also is there a dash indicator light or message referring to reduced power? It may be one of the dash lights you have to look up in the owner's manual to figure out what it means. The car's computer will put the car into reduced power mode if it thinks it detects certain types of problems. This reduced power mode often includes limiting to a maximum speed which more or less includes limiting up to a certain gear in the transmission.

How many miles on the vehicle and when was the last time you had the transmission fluid exchanged?

The grinding at stops sounds more like a brake system issue. It could just be a rock embedded in the brake pad lining that is scraping against the brake rotor. However, could be more serious. Specifically, there is no brake pad lining remaining somewhere, so the metal backing plate for the pad maybe rubbing against the brake rotor. The backing plate is not smooth so indeed it is a grind.

Have a friend who knows about cars to a quick check of the brake pad thickness on all four wheels.

I don't remember that vehicle having a transmission dipstick. Anyway, today's transmissions need to have their fluid checked when they are at operating temperature and running. The fluid they use these days expands greatly in volume as the temperature increases.