97 Blazer

My friend has a 1997 chevy blazer 4.3 liter, 110,000 miles. Turns over won't start. Sounds like bad fuel pump. Turn the key and instrument panel does nothing. Battery is good, headlights, power windows, interior lights work fine. Won't shift so I override electronic shift lock by pushing the lever down by the shifter and put it in nuetral so we can tow it. Low and behold the intrument panel lights up and the vehicle starts right up. Put it back in park, turn it off and it has same problem. Is the problem in the ignition, shifter or what? I have asked some L1s at work about this one and they aren't sure either. Any advise would be helpful.