Chrysler Repair: 1997 T&C: no fans, no a/c, doors lock/unlock spontaneously, electronic circuit board, check fuse

Question
I have several problems with my van: the radiator fans don't work, the a/c quit, it overheats, and what's really weird is the doors lock and unlock themselves with no rhyme or reason. I'm at my wits end.

Answer
Hi Bill,
Check fuse 24, 40 amp, in the power distribution center under hood near the battery. If that is good, then there is a solid state fan relay mounted on the left side frame rail where it meets the lower left corner of the fans assembly. That relay was recalled in the mid-90's because of too frequent failure, and if it hasn't already been replaced you might get it replaced for free at a dealer. The VIN record for the vehicle will show whether or not it has already been replaced, but in any case it may have failed now.
The door lock/unlocking can be due to a flaky/intermittant disconnect wire from any of the door lock switches that control the lock/unlock action. Another possibility is that some water has leaked from the windshield on the driver's side and gotten on the blue plug of the door lock system and is shorting out a wire. If this has any tie in with rain of a car wash recently that would be something to check. The plug in question is located on rear side of the fuse box that is under the dash on the driver's side. You can remove the lower dash cover under and to the left of the steering column, then disconnect the hood release cable from the handle (on the rear of the handle) and the cover can then be removed. Look at the rear side of the fuse box (called the junction block) find the large blue multipin plug, remove it, and spray some electronic circuit board cleaner on the pins and the sockets. That evaporates the water and cleans the contacts.
If that doesn't help, then at a Chrysler dealer they have a diagnoistic readout box which can scan the door lock electronics and possible pinpoint where the gremlin is that is causing this.
Roland