tranny takes atf, there are two plugs on the pass. side
put fluid in the top one until it starts pouring out and then it is full
bottom one is for draining
I think your shifter is fine
My guess would be syncros. When you regularily shift with the clutch the syncros get everything spinning the same speed so that you can slide it into gear. When you shift without the clutch you must match the engine rpm to the vehicle speed for the desired gear, hence manually doing what the syncros do so you can slide it in without the clutch. If it is the 2nd gear syncro that is shot then this would explain why you can shift no problem when you don't use the clutch.
sounds like you need your first rebuild
good luck
Conrad
__________________
'88 lx, Black on Black, check it out
here
Spent all my money on school, what a dumb mistake
I'm old enough to know better, but still too young to care.