This concerns a 1996 850, non-turbo, 220K miles. After I turn the key in the ignition to start the car, the ABS light turns on and the car won't shift out of gear. If I jiggle the key, the ABS light goes off, the car will shift out of park, but the burned-out bulb warning light comes on. This even though there are no burned out bulbs (headlights, turn signals, warning lights, brake lights). The bulb warning light stays on as I drive the car, which seems otherwise to perform as usual. I had a spare ignition switch (the electrical portion held in by two screws on the left side of the steering wheel) so swapped it out. That didn't make any difference. Ideas?

 

the fact that you can wiggle your key to change the car's behavior would be enough for me to suggest its time to replace the ignition switch. Get that fixed first then you can see if there's any remaining issues.