so i went to shift into second and there was nothing there. i could not get the trans to shift into any gear but first and when i tried to shift into 3rd it would slow the car down. after some playing with the shifter i got it into 3rd gear and it would shift into 4th and 5th like normal. the problem is i cannot shift into 2nd and unless i take off in 3rd its very difficult to shift into 3rd from 1st and if i move the shifter into 2nd then try to put it in 3rd the trans shifts back to 1st.

i pulled the shifter out everything looks normal worn but normal and when the car is off i can shift through every gear like normal

is your od light flashing? whats the color of your trans fluid?

By the sounds of it, it's a manual transmission and it's in need of a rebuild.