1998 GC Power Locks lock when key put in ignition: Feature or Problem?

Hi, and thanks for helping.

I have just purchased a 98 Grand Caravan (GC) LE loaded. It has power
locks and a remote keyless entry system and a factory car alarm. It
was a great deal, but I can't contact the original owner for my
problem. This was an auction purchase and the subsequent paperwork
revealed a :

When I'm in the vehicle and I put the keys in the ignition, the power
door locks all engage or lock. This is before I start the van, before
I drive, and before the 16 mph auto lock thing happens. If I remove
the key and reinsert the key, it will relock the doors again.

I do NOT like that feature. If it is a feature, how do I unprogram or
program it to stop? Is there a relay to buy?

Please please help me. I'll be more than glad to share any knowledge
I have or even make a modest Paypal payment (cash) to anyone who can
help me here.

Thanks for your email or Usenet/group responses.
Michael

 

This is not a factory feature. This has to be an aftermarket accessory. Look
up under the dash for a module that doesn't appear to be from the factory.
Let me know what you find (under the dash)

 

revealed a repossession. Sorry for the dropped edit.

 

Thanks for the thought, Bill. I spent two weekends digging around
with the underside of the van, I downloaded wiring diagrams from the
internet using our Library's sources, called three radio "car talk" -
type shows and came up with squat.

Finally, I broke down and took it to the dealer. Kenny from Eastgate
Chrysler in Indianapolis is just about as close as you can come to
being a God as you can get when it comes to Daimler-Chrysler products.

He told me that my passenger door lock switch was broken and that's
what caused it. I hadn't noticed that before. It was stuck in the
"lock" position, and when a key was inserted, the system could "see" a
3.3 volt "lock" command being sent by the defective switch. Still, it
was very weird, as it didn't CONSTANTLY see the lock voltage command.
In other words, I could unlock the doors inside after they had locked
and they would stay unlocked...

Finally, after a $34 door lock switch and almost one hour labor, my
van does every thing that it should when it should. I'm very pleased
with it.

Bill, thanks for your thoughts and I hope that somewhere somehow this
message thread helps someone solve this problem, too.

Cheers,
Michael Perry

 

That would certainly do it. Glad you got it fixed.

Bill