This just started yesterday. First of all, turn the key and nothing, thought it was the battery. Then tried neutral and it started. Then it happened again, tried Neutral again, but this time nothing. After I jiggled the auto column shifter in Park, it started. What is the usual cause of this?

Sloppy or out of adjustment shift linkage will do this.
There are two small contact "pointers" inside the trans. that have to line-up with the neutral safety switch, this contact allows the starter to energize, it sounds like that alignment is out of adjustment.

Remove the lower shift linkage rod from the shift lever on the trans.
Have someone hold the gear selector in neutral while you go under the car and match the rod end to the mating hole in the lever. The end of the rod needs to line-up exactly and drop right into the lever's hole, while the trans shift lever and the column selector are both centered in neutral. Adjust the linkage as needed to get this alignment.
DD

Thanks Doc. I will be finishing up the body work this week (won't be pretty though) and getting a cheap paint job (Maaco) next week. See you in Aug up here in Redding.

Make sure you check the conditions of the plastic bushings while you're at it; excessive play will make it hard to adjust properly.

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Used to own:
'82 Dodge D150
Erson 270 Cam, O/S valves, mild port work, ~9.5:1 compression

Currently fighting with an '85 VW Cabriolet

My other passion