Shift override problems
 

1997 850 base sedan.
For a while, we've occasionally had to use the shift override button to shift out of park, even pressing the brake pedal. I've read all about the microswitch.

Setup to my question: when I need to use the override, the speedometer, turn-signals, headlights, mirror adjusments (and maybe more) also fail to operate. Yesterday, I was driving, having used the override button, and suddenly the headlights came on. When I stopped, I could shift without the override. The other issues also didn't recur. I should point out that the car drives fine; I wouldn't worry much except for the headlights.

My question: what's likely to be common to all those things? It surely seems unlikely that the microswitch would have that far-reaching an effect.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

Bad ignition switch.

Thanks!
 

I'll be off to buy a new switch and give it a shot