Chrysler Repair: Fail to Start, vehicle security system, remote keyless entry

Question
I have a 2002 Town & Country Limited. This modle has the lock enabled starting system/ignition system disabled security system.  At times the vehicle will not start upon initial entry, or will start and immediately die. What specific component or part is the culprit here?  Apparently when my wife exits the vehicle, opens and slams a few of the other side or rear hatch doors, the vehicle starts and drives. The security system light on the system warning panel illuminates at times while driving?

Answer
Hi Ray,
The system as I understand it from a manual that was written for earlier years ('96) is centered in the body computer which is under the dash next to the fuse box and it does many other functions as well as the vehicle security system. The driver and passenger door key locks have an electrical component (resistor) that when actuated signal the computer that the key has been used to open the door and this disarms the system. The system is armed by locking the doors with the electric locks control button when exiting. (Using the remote keyless system will also arm the system when exiting, if that is part of your system).
The most likely reason for no start/start and die is that the body computer has not been disarmed via the keylock resistor signal not being received at the computer. There are wires that pass from the door to the body at the hinge which can over time fatigue/break.
If this fail to start occurs, my inclincation would be to remove the key from the ignition and exit the car using the electric door lock switch which will re-arm the system. Then try using the key to unlock the passenger side door or the remote keyless entry in an attempt to get a proper disarm to occur (dash light goes out).
There are other alerts on the rear side door and rear hatch that might also complicate the function of the system if they were malfunctioning. There is a self-test of the entire system that can be initiated using a plug-in readout box (at the dealership) and that will reveal which if any of these different sensors is at fault for then a directed repair of its wiring.
As you have experienced the theft security system will, if not disarmed, prevent starting/running of the engine for more than a few seconds.
So if she wants to get around the problem of the driver side door not disarming the system she could try opening the passenger door first with the key, or use the remote to open the door. If it becomes too flakey I would just never use the power door locks when exiting (or the remote) and give up on the alarm/theft entirely and just use the key in the old-fashioned way. That would minimize repair costs at the dealership if she can live with it. The theft system is not separable from the body computer, so except for the door sensors and their wiring, parts are not cheap, and labor in any case is costly.
I hope you can work around this problem for that reason.
Roland