P/N Switch

[TtypeWH1]

I am having a strange problem with my park neutral switch. I am missing the linkage for the switch so i have been turning the lower half of column to change the switch from park to drive. Lately if I turn switch to drive while cruising the car will run like crap, missing and cutting out. But if I turn it back to the park position it runs like normal. I dont get it. Does the switch have much control over anything? Any help is appreciated.