1991 Volvo Shifting Problem need help

I have a 1991 Volvo Station Wagon. It is a 5 speed standard transmission, 4 cylinder engine.

I start out in 1st, and then try to shift down into 2nd, doing so it kind of hesitates and is hard to get into second, some times impossible. So i have been skipping second and going into 3rd. Some one told me that the transmission is probably fine (no grinding noises or other signs of transmission problem) and that it is most likely an electronic box of some kind that handles the shifting of the gears. I have no idea what this box is called.

I am wondering if it most likely is that, and what it would be called so i can see about getting a quote on a price of one.
 

I don't work on too many Volvo trannys but it sure sounds like you have a bad 2nd gear synchro. You may want to get a 2nd opinion.........