Volvo: shifter will not move from Park positioning, volvo 850 wagon, accecories

Question
I am not mechanical at all, so please excuse my "terminology".  I have a 96 volvo 850 wagon.  Sometimes when I start the car, the headlights dont come on, and the shifter will not move from the Park positioning.  I have to turn off the car, and restart it a few times to finally move into Drive or Reverse.  What could be causing this?  Thank YOu

Answer
Lauren,
Sounds like you have a ignition switch that is starting to go. Next time this happens try to gently move the key back and forth to see then if things start to work. See if the switch is not in the correct position the accecories will not work. When you go ahead and restart the car the switch ends up in the correct position and everything works.