Chrysler Repair: Starting problems w/98 Town and Country., dash light, lock switch

Question
As we discussed earlier, my 98 town and Country will not start on a regular basis. We know it will go into failure because the van will fully start 3 times, but the engine will die immediately. The next time we try to start, there is no response at all. I did speak with Pat, and he told me he found several people having this problem had a bad key sensor/s, mostly being the gate key sensor. and it was causing the anti theft to disable the vehicle. Unhooking the battery will reset the system, but it is not a quick process, taking 12 to 14 hours. I understand there is a place to unhook the anti theft behind the glove box. What do you know about this? Have you gotten any feedback from anyone else?

Many thanks.

Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,
As I wrote, I can believe the quick die may be related to the theft malfunction but not the no start at all. I haven't any further insights on your problem. I don't believe that the theft system on the van by '98 still was part of a separate module (above the glove box) but rather the other Chrysler lines had moved that function to the body computer which would make it impossible to separately defeat because there is no single plug to accomplish that. However if there were still such a module you still have to have the engine running when you pull its plug otherwise it goes into alarmed lock down again. So the issue is to get it running. Have you an indication that the door lock switches are functioning? If not for sure, then that may be what is wrong. The engine controller thinks it is stopping a theft and not getting the word from the door lock switch that it should reset. But that should be showing on the dash light for the alarm system. I still don't undertstand why only 3 shots at the starter motor. It could be that there is nothing wrong with the theft system and you are really having a combined no start and restricted starter motor usage electrical issue. How about charging up the battery, or check whether or not the starter relay in the power distribution center clicks when you turn the key to start. It should, and if it doesn't then it either has to be the park/neutral safety switch or the ignition switch that is flakey, or the starter relay is flakey. It may be necessary to find an electrical mechanic who has experience and the manual/wiring diagrams for the '98 van.
I have to admit I know nothing about the "gate key Sensor" so maybe that is also a possibility.
I wish I could give you the correct answer, but I just don't have the certainty that I have it.
Roland