Chrysler Repair: 98 T&C:Power Locks mis-behaving?, sliding door locks, power doors

Question
Hello Roland.
Our 98 Chrysler T & C will lock all doors when either rear slider is closed.  This happens whether key is in ignition or not.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Bill,
I would check with the owner's manual on this one. The sliding door locks have a "memory feature" according to the '98 manual which appears to be that if one of both of the sliding doors are open and the power door lock function is actuated by the driver, the body control module will remember the request to lock the sliding door when it is subsequently is closed. It would appear to me that perhaps the door lock request is occuring even though you aren't asking for it? I am not sure what role the key in the ignition has to do with this issue, so I can't comment on that. Have you checked the manual for how the system is designed to work?
Interestingly there are 68 pages of troubleshooting tests in the '98 body control manual but they all seem to be related to the power doors NOT locking. So I am not too clear about whether what you have there is a problem or not. It would probably be simplest to just be aware of this possibility and never leave the van without a key in you pocket or the remote fob.
Roland