1995 Saturn SL manual trans clutch

Almost impossible to get into or shift gears. No slippage once in gear. How, exactly, can I isolate problem to the clutch or to hydraulic component?

First try shifting into the gears without the engine running. If it shifts fine, then it’s probably a hydraulic clutch problem. Now check the slave cylinder for the clutch for leakage. If there’s no leakage at the slave cylinder, then check under the dash on the firewall for fluid leakage. If no leak is found, then one would have to assume that the clutch master cylinder is leaking internally.

Tester

Or that an adjustment has slipped at either the master or slave cylinder. Not likely, but I’m an eternal optimist.

Try beeding the hydraulic system first.