Chrysler Repair: 1999 van dies after 3 seconds (3x),then wont start at all, digital odometer, dashboard lights

Question
Intermittent problem but becoming more and more freequent...car starts for 2 seconds and stalls for 3 consecutive times. After the 3 time, doesn't start at all. When it won't start, the dashboard lights come on but no fuel gauge or digital odometer display. Brought it in to mechanic several times, first time found some lose connections around the starter relay but eventually occured again. Last time, had it towed in but worked when it arrived at the mechanics. Mechanic now thinks maybe the computer. Any thoughts?

Answer
Hi Ray,
I would first try to see if there are any faults stored in the engine controller. It may be possible with the ignition key:"on-off-on-off-on then leave on" doing this in 5 seconds or less. Then watch the odometer widow or trip window to see if any fault codes (four digit numbers) appear. If not you may be able to get a free readout at an Autozone parts store. Other than that, look for a low cost readout at a shop. Then let me know the codes and we will go from there. Let me know the engine size.
The loss of the readouts at the cluster suggests a breakdown of the digital data bus communication system to that part of the system. That has been known to cause difficulties all through the system. It seems to be associated with poor connections at the electrical plug-ins to the cluster due solder joints that have opened between the socket and circuit board. Reheating the joints with a solder pencil have helped according to some owners. But I would look into that after getting the fault codes.
Running for 3 seconds and then stalling and finally not starting (I assume that you mean the starter motor not cranking over at all) is consistent with the powertrain controller thinking that the alarm system has been violated and that is how it behaves when it thinks you are trying to steal the van. That could be triggered by either the theft system not being successfully disarmed when you enter the van due to a break in the wire that carries the signal from the key lock used to enter not cancelling the armed condition. So check the alarm light to see if it is behaving the way it is supposed to indicate it is no longer armed when you try to start the van. You can unlock the passenger or the driver door with the key to disarm the alarm system. You can minimize this by not using the alarm. Just lock the door when you leave with the push button on the door until this is resolved. The alarm might also be falsely activated by the issues with the data bus discussed above.
So let me know what you learn and then we can go from there. Or if you solve it, please let me know.
Roland