I have a 2001 T&C Ltd AWD. I have had trouble with the ignition key sticking for some time. Usually a light 'smack' and it will work fine.

Yesterday, after starting normally, I realized that the interior fans (front and rear) were cycling on and off. Further investigation revealed that the display for the normal clock on the dash was turning on and off also. I checked under the hood and fuse panel and realized that the relays for the interior stuff were all clicking like mad.

After various efforts at restarting, reseating relays and some thought, I replaced the ignition switch.

I now have the following situation. On starting the car, I may or may not get the interior fans and the clock to come on. There are other symptoms like the power windows do NOT work if the clock and fan are off, but the fans and clock are easy to notice. I have not seen or heard the rapidly cycling relays issue. After a delay (could be a couple of minutes), the fans and clock will usually come on and stay on. Sometimes they will come on after only 20 seconds. Sometimes I have turned the car off after waiting for several minutes. After a restart, they work just fine.

I just went out and tried it again. IF I turn the key to the run position and DO NOT actually start it, everything seems fine every time. IF I go to the start point with the key, I may or may not have the problem. IF I have had the problem, and then take the key out - put the key back in - go to the run position - then everything is fine... then start it and now all is fine.

Are there other parts to the ignition control of the electrics? Is there another 'electrical interlock'? I have not had the engine shut off or an alarm go off. I had thought that the ignition switch was the electrical part of the key / lock / car control system. There are more electrical parts in the area... what are they?

Thanks any and all for any help you may be able to give.

 

Looks like this is a Body Control Module.

A really quite good explanation including an excellent guide to how several control modules work together is at:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1c/bl546c.htm

This matches what I just learned from an excellent mechanic.