weird start problems

I have been having some weird problems in starting my 97 transport van. I have a command start in the van and when I try starting it, the lights come on and go off right away. It doesn't even turn over. When I get into it to start it, it starts but is a hard start. The dash lights are more dim than usual. I have had the van for about 1.5 months now. When I first got it I had to boost it in the morning, I read that the interior lights come on so I turned them off. It worked fine up until about 2 days ago. I just put a new battery into it. It seems that there is a battery drain some where. Does anybody know what is going one?

As I started reading, I was on the "low battery" mode..which you confirmed. YOu did not say if with the new battery it went fine..at least for some time...
There were several instances where battery drain was caused by the automatic level control working all night long..sporadically..without you knowing, because of a leak..do you have ALC?

When I put in the new battery it would still be dead in the morning. I read that the interior lights would come on in the night so I started turning them off. I worked good for a bit. Then about 4 days ago it started doing it again, but this time there is enough juice to get it started without a boost. One of the guys from work said it could be my command start. I took out the fuses for the command start and I let it sit for around 4 hrs. When I went out to start it it started fine. I will be trying it again tomorrow when I go to work. Wish me luck.
oh yea and I don't have ALC.

I just removed my command start entirely from my '97. It did get rid of alot of little quarks and quirks I was having. Even though the fuses have been pulled, the command start is still tied togehter internaly on the board. Disconnect all the connectors to the module and pull the module to check inside on the board. MIne had moisture damage in the curciuts.(look for a white looking powder). these older systems (command start) did have alot of problems. The tech's will just disable the problem program rather then repair any of it. After removal, my starting and discharge problems disappeared.
Hope this helps.

thanks for the help. I did pull the fuses and it still did not start. I am going to try the module thing after I put in the new battery. My friend had a battery like mine in his car and he said it did the same thing to his car, it is an energizer from walmat. I will keep in touch and let you guys know what is the what.

If you want to test another battery, borrow one somewhere ...I understood you had already done that. There is no magic with batteries. If the starter cranks the engine at a normal starting rate, you have ample electrical power. IF the battery is low, recharge it first.
IF you end up with a dead battery in the morning, you'd be better off using an ammeter between battery positive and connector to test if there is any stray current when all should be off. THE computer takes a very small current, like 20 milliamps. Then when you have the engine running (remove the ammeter to start), measure voltage : should be near 14 volts.

so I took the battery out of my other car on Sat. It is now Monday and it is doing fine. i also cleaned thye positive post ( the one used for boosting). Not sure if that is part of the problem but now harm done. I hope that cures it. I did not disconnect my command start either. keep you in touch.

I changed the battery again. THe one I had in there was shot. hope that does the job, so far three days and it is good. I did not take out the command start though. I will keep in touch.