On the way home tonight, I went to put my car into 5th gear on the highway and the shifter now swings freely from left to right as if there are no gates. It shifts up and down from 3rd to 4th gear and back without a problem. When it's in 3rd or 4th gear, I can still move the shifter completely to the left and right with ease.

I believe this is a cable operated shifter, so is this probably a broken cable? Anyone else ever have this problem?? any help/advice is much appreciated.

 

I'd check the rubber ball joints on the end of the cables right under the airbox on the top of the transmission. Sounds like one might be torn.

 

I'll check that. Thanks!