96 Intrepid Issues (Poss. PCM?)

So I'm at my wits end. But for some help, I'll start at the beginning.

I bought my Intrepid a month ago, no problems. 2 weeks into owning it, I go to start it up, and the gauges don't come on. I thougt maybe it was a fuse problem, so I replaced that fuse. No go.
So I go to drive it home. 1/2 way into the trip, the car gives this, for lack of better phrasing, 'kick', and the gauges start up. And by kick, I mean the whole car gives this tiny little jerk forward, and everything comes on. My check engine light isn't on, but my ABS one is. . . . Car runs fine for about a week, then does it again. I had a friend look into it, and he told me that sometimes the Intrepid has issues with the ignition switch.
Just to note: when the gauges aren't on, it starts up just fine, however, I have difficulty accelerating. . . It feels like I'm driving with the parking break on.
Last friday, I was driving home from work (no gauges, poor acceleration once more) and the car died on me. Luckily it was on the side of a street and not a highway. A friend I was carpooling with told me that I over-heated it. (Yes, I had plenty of coolant) When it cooled down, I went to start it, no good. So I called a tow-truck to tow it to a garage. The mechanic at the seedy garage told me that I needed a new starter and I figured, well, while you're in the bowels of my car, I need a new ignition switch too. So I had both done and picked the car up on Sat. All good, right? wrong. :(
On the way home from the seedy mechanic, the car kept . . . well, I don't know what it's called but the car kept moving a bit faster then I was telling it to, and 'kick'ing a bit. As I was driving up the hill I live on, the car was having difficulty accelerating, and as I was pulling into my parking spot, just died, right there.
Friend #3 (and the one I trust the most) tells me that it might be a problem with the PCM. That it controls the electronics for my dash, and the fuel injection for proper acceleration. I don't know. All I know is that I'm paying out the rear for a rental car right now because I don't trust my Intrepid.

Any ideas on what could be wrong with the car? How to fix it? Write it off, donate it as a project car and get something else?
The car is a 1996 Dodge 3.5L Intrepid ES

I'm having the same problem with my 3.3L 96 intrepid. I originally took it to AutoZone and had them put it on the computer, they told me they didn't know what the code meant cuz it was a dealer code. So I called a dealership and they said they didn't know what it was cuz it wasn't done on their computer. So our neighbor, a mechanic, helped us investigate and said it was the computer. So a few weeks ago we replaced the computer. It worked fine for about 2 weeks and then when back to it's old tricks. Now we're thinking it's the BCM, however we're having problems finding a way to test it w/o paying out the A$$ at the dealership. If i find anything out i'll be sure to let you know.

I've had similar problems with my 98 Dodge Intrepid. I had the car stalling. replaced a battery cable and fuel pump and car worked great for 2 years. you may want to check to see if you have a ballast resister on your intrepid.

Now the car does not start right away. will click then attempt to start and eventually engage the engine. The car stalls while driving like the electrical just shut down. i was told this could be a wire that is bad or the ballast resister. I thought ballast resisters were taken out of cars around 1985? if there is a ballast resister on my intrepid, can somebody tell me where it is? Does anybody have a wiring diagram for a 1998 Dodge Intrepid ES that shows, the ballast resister or the BCM?

Trouble codes for all Intrepids 1993-2004
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I've created this thread to help out those who have a Dodge Intrepid or any Daimler-Chrysler vehicle that was built from 1996-present. If you have a check engine light and need to know what the code is, visit this website to give you the answer(s) to your code issues. The website is:
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troub...l_obd_main.htm (http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/l/bl_obd_main.htm).

If you have a 1993-1995 Intrepid and you have a check engine light, you can find out what the codes are by following this process:
1. Turn the ignition key on/off 3xs ending in the ON position
2. Watch the "CHECK ENGINE" light and see if it flashes.
3. If it flashes twice then pauses and flashes again another 4xs, that's a code 24, for example. You have put the computer in diagnostic mode and it will now display any codes that have been stored in memory. Here is a list of all codes that can be displayed and what they mean:

12- Problem with stand-by memory circuit. Direct battery input to controller disconnected within the last 50 ignition key-ons.
13- Indicates a problem with the MAP sensor pneumatic system.
14- MAP sensor voltage too low or too high.
15- A problem with the vehicle speed sensor signal. No speed sensor signal detected during driving conditions.
16- Loss of battery voltage
17- Engine coolant temperature indicating engine temperature cold too long.
21- Oxygen sensor voltage not fluctuating.
22- Coolant sensor voltage too high or too low.
23- Throttle body temp sensor below acceptable parameters.
24- Throttle position sensor voltage too high or too low.
25- Automatic Idle Speed motor detects a shorted condition in one or more circuits
26- Peak Injector current has not been reached.
27- One of the injector control circuit output drivers does not respond properly to the control signal.
31- Problem with the canister purge solenoid circuit
32- An open or shorted condition detected in the EGR transducer circuit.
33- Air conditioning clutch relay circuit open or shorted.
34- Open or shorted condition found in the speed control vacuum or vent solenoid circuit.
35- Radiator fan relay circuit open or shorted.
36- Problem with the air switching solenoid circuit.
37- Open or shorted condition detected in the torque converter unlock solenoid circuit.
41- Problem with charging system. Voltage below 11.75.
42- ASD (Automatic ShutDown) relay control open or shorted.
43- Engine misfire in one or more cylinders.
44- Ambient/Battery Temperature too high or too low.
45- Transmission temp sensor not indicating warm condition.
46- Charging system voltage too high.
47- Charging system voltage too low.
51- Oxygen sensor signal indicates a lean condition.
52- Oxygen sensor signal indicates a rich condition.
53- Internal PCM failure.
54- No cam signal to PCM.
55- End of code message.
62- Unsuccessful attempt to update EMR mileage in the controller EEPROM.
63- PCM failure. EEPROM write denied.

These are all the codes for most 1993-1995 and a few 96 and 97 Intrepids. If you need any others if I missed them, please let me know.