glimmer

Hi all, I have just bought an automatic presea 1990. when selecting drive (D) you have to move the selector stick minutely in the D area to engage the gear other wise the engine appears to be in neutral. Also, randomly, but it is happening enough to be annoying. when i initially get in the car and fire her up nothing happens. all the dash lights come on as normal but there is no engaging of the starter motor. its as though you have started the car whilst it is in gear. i then move the gear selector through the gears and eventually when it is returned to P it will fire up. Other times it wont fire up, i leave it in P and walk away for half an hour. When i return, having not touched the gear selector, the car will fire up. Thank you. glimmer