Well, it does sound like some sort of electro-magnetic thing trying to open/close.
You might try jiggling the steering wheel while you're moving the shift lever back and forth, maybe it will fall into place ...??
Maybe disconnect the battery to see it will right itself .. ??
Redneck fix ...... just don't move the shifter lever when it's in park ........
I wouldn't worry too much about it ........ the worst case is that when you are going into a high speed curve, you hit the shifter lever and the steering wheel locks up .......
humfrz