Chrysler Repair: 00 minivan: power door locks wont allow unlocking, power door locks, diy mechanic

Question
Help !  I have a year 2000 Grand and the central locking stopped about two weeks ago.  Replaced batteries in fob, but still no good.  Then about a week ago, when you unlock the car with the key in the driver's door, it unlocks for a split second, then locks again.  The only way in is to have one hand on the drivers handle, the other unlocking with the key and get ready to open instantly, then reach in and ulocok other doors with the button by the wing mirror.  Key locks all doors perfectly.  
Just wondered if you can offer any advice to a DIY mechanic before I have to take it to Chrysler.  Many thanks in advance. Jenny

Answer
Hi Jenny,
There are two relays that activate the door locking/unlocking function, one for each action. I would try switching the two relays that activate the locking function and the unlocking function and see if the problem reverses itself. If so, then the relay that is now in the 'door lock relay' socket is probably defective and needs to be changed.
Look under the dash for the junction block that contains fuses/relays/multi-wire plugs that is to the far left of the steering column. To get to it, if it isn't visible, then I would remove the lower steering column cover by removing the 2 screws that hold the parking brake release handle to the panel, and then remove the screws on the left, top, right, and bottom edges of that panel which will allow it to drop it down so you can see behind it and find the junction block.
Once you find the block you will see at the top 4 large multi-wire plugs, below that a row of 10 sockets for fuse-like devices, and below that 2 small square relay boxes and 1 larger relay box, then a single relay, then 4 relay sockets and finally a row of 12 fuse socket. The "two small square relay boxes" are: on the left the 'door unlock relay' and to its immediate right the 'door lock relay'. Try switching those and see what happens to the malfunction situation.
If it is unchanged then there is a more subtle problem with one of the door lock switches or the body computer/wiring that can only be diagnosed with a diagnostic readout box at a dealer. But you may find that just replacing the 'door lock relay' may solve the problem as it could be stuck in the 'activate' mode which means it will always be trying to lock the doors, even when you unlock them. You can probably buy the relay at a parts store, and if not, at a dealer parts counter. That would save you any labor charges, and the relay is less than $10 I would believe.
Roland