First off, the car is:
2000 Honda Accord Se, automatic
166938 miles

The gear shifter usually will not change the gear of the car unless I unscrew the screw in the shifter and manually try different positions for the shifter to go down.

When I try to change gears, I press the chrome button and the whole **** moves up vertically. After trying different positions of the **** (with the screw out), the **** will change the gear of the car. Once the **** goes down, the shifter changes gears without a problem.

I am missing the spring that goes with the gear **** AND the screws which I believe go with the gear ****.

The "maint required" and "abs" lights turn on when the car starts, if it helps.

How do I fix this?

 

get a spring and the screws that hold it straight

 

I got some screws to hold the **** straight. But, whenever I start the car the next day, the gear **** once again won't go down.