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Can you shift into reverse with the car stopped and the engine running? If the gears grind trying to go to reverse that means that the clutch has not disengaged.

 

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The test is to see if pushing down the clutch pedal disengages the engine from the transmission like it should. Reverse does not have the "syncro" mechanism that blocks the shift handle from moving while the gears are still turning. So instead of refusing to go into gear (what happens when you try to go to first with the shaft moving), you will hear grinding which proves the transmission input shaft is still moving-- because the clutch doesn't work.

 

Shift linkage can go bad? I always thought of that as a non-wear item. The bushings, sure, but the linkage itself going bad? Never heard of it.

Mk is great at troublehsooting, follow his directions and he should have it all figured out quickly.

 

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Cable is for a cable clutch set-up. You have a hydraulic set up. If my memory serves me correctly, 96-00 shift linkage is steel and will probably never bend unless something smashes it. The 92-95 civics had aluminum linkage and I have heard stories of those having trouble.

 

Ahh...Thanks for clearing that up, makes sense.

 

It's a clutch problem then. First thing to check there is to see if there is any fluid in the reservoir connected to the master cylinder. If it has leaked out, clutch won't disengage. If it's not that, next watch the slave cylinder while someone presses and releases the clutch pedal. The arm on the transmission should move.