Chrysler Repair: 98 T & C: no start/no starter, chrysler town and country, neutral safety switch

Question
I have a 1998 chrysler town and country van awd lxi . I started my van like usual and went about a half mile to the store shut the van off and went in came out 5 minutes later and i tryed to start it it cranked over but then shut off i tryed to turn the key again and the same thing it started and then shut off, so i tryed to give it a little gas while it started and now it just does nothin no crank noise not turning over now i have lights and radio horn all my electric is working what can i try to do i cant afford a tow so close to home

Answer
Hi Steven,
The no starter motor action could be the battery is low on charge or some sort of unusual current drain has happened with the starter circuit or the gear shift may not actually be in park or neutral. I would begin by having a helper try the starter while you open the hood and the power box and touch/listen for the starter relay to click (which if so would show that the park/neutral safety switch is not the problem). If the relay clicks then usually the solenoid switch at the starter will also make a loud click, even if the starter doesn't turn over unless the battery is very low on charge/overdrawn. Can you get a jump start from another driver, if this is the case?
The refusal to idle, even when the starter motor worked, is then the issue. The best approach to that would be to use the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window to see if the mileage reading changes to shaw a 4-digit number preceded by a P. Let me know that number which is a fault code that might explain why it won't run.
The battery can support the lights and the radio and horn, but still be too weak to operate the starter. You might also check that the + and - clamps at the battery are tight on the posts.
Roland