All you have to do to check the tranny is get underneath and you will see 2 bolts on the tranny, i think they are like 22-24 mm or maybe just a bolt with a square hole in it, like you can put a ratchet in. Well common sense tells you that the bottom one will drain the tranny and the top is used to check it. the fluid should be right below the hole, or sometimes it will start pouring out, either way its good, just replace the bolt and then try and figure out what else could be the problem.
Note: That requires no disassembly of anything.