87 Jeep Cherokee starting problem

Greetings,
When I try to start the jeep it starts up but as soon as I release from the starting position, it shuts off.
Beings its an automatic, I dropped it down to neutral and it started fine, the next time round, it had the same problems in neutral as well.

Concidering I have had trouble w/ having to push the stick forward while in park every so often to get the key to unlock, I figured maybe I sheared a pin.

Any suggestions where I should be looking or whether I am even thinking along the right lines?
thanks