Hi guys,
I'm the excited new owner of a new to me 1998 civic. Needs lots of TLC, but this forum has me ready to change the timing belt and tune her up.
But before I get to that, I have a problem with the shifter. It is not screwed to the shaft. The screws were in the console, but when I put them in, the key will not come out of the ignition. No screws, the keys come out, but the lever pops off the shaft with little effort. Kinda a hassle.

Any ideas how I can but it back together and make everything work.

 

Had the same problem with mine for a bit.
You have to play with the screws a little bit to get it just right. Too loose, the handle comes off, too tight, the shifter button will have issues getting stuck, which would make the keys get stuck in the ignition.
Just gotta play with it a bit, and you'll get it ^^
And DON'T press down on the handle while you tighten the screws, cuz that's like depressing the button, which'll lock your keys in the ignition.