Chrysler Repair: 1999 Chrysler Town & Country Alarm wont disarm, chrysler town, door key

Question
I unlocked the van with the keychain system.  I started the van and it ran for 5 seconds and shut off.  I repeated this 3 times and now it won't turn over at all.  I bought the van used and do not have an owner's manual.  I am sure it is the anti-theft system that is causing this problem.  Can you tell me how the anti-theft system can be disabled? The first time this happened, the van didn't start until the next day!

Answer
Hi Reshawn,
Using the normal door key: "lock then unlock either front door" should disarm the system if the keyfob remote doesn't do it. I am not sure if the no crankover is due to the theft system or a low battery; around '99 they may have added a crank-defeat (after several tries) to the theft system as well as the 5 second die off. But in any case, try using the door key as described, and if necessary recharge the battery.
There is no easy way to disable the system as it is built-in to the body computer. You can avoid the hassle by never arming it. That is done by ONLY using the mechanical pushbutton door locks when you exit the vehicle. Don't use the power door lock, don't use the door key, don't use the remote, and you will never have an alarmed out vehicle because you will never set up the alarm. That is the only way to get around this other than to change the body computer to a non-theft system type and that may even require a new engine control computer too (I am uncertain of that point).
Roland