Chrysler Repair: Engine shuts down after starting, no guages: 98 van, drb iii, digital odometer

Question
Roland,
Thank you for the answer to my question.  I failed to let you know that we have stopped locking the van at all.  We figured it had something to do with the arming of the security system so we no longer use the keyless entry or lock the doors.  Now it happens anyway. At times it will also lose the qauges while driving but not power and they have never stayed off for long (yet).  Yesterday the van came back from a trip to town was shut off then we tried to leave again about 45 min. later and it would not start.  Well start (with no gauges) and then shut off about 3 seconds later.  Later on (4 hours or so) I went to get in to roll up the windows and when I opened the drivers side door the lights for the digital odometer and P N D 3 Low came on.  I remember thinking oh no, I left the key on but I had not.  When I turned the key the gauges worked and the van started.  Thanks again.


Answer
Hi Cami.
Yes, the shut down after 3 seconds is exactly what the controller will do when it believes you are trying to steal the vehicle. It may be arming itself somehow. I would try to using the key to unlock the driver's and/or the passenger's everytime you want to drive it and the guages don't work, and see if that clears the snafu. If that doesn't do it, then just try unlocking with the keyless.
There is a 30 page test menu in my '98 Van Body Diagnostic manual that involves the use of the DRB III tool that the dealer has. You might ask them if they have that manual and if not I can xerox and postal mail you the pages so they can try running the tests to see if they can identify exactly which component of the system is causing the problem.
Roland