2005 GC problems with starting and electronic shifting

[bkearns]

We have had a 2005 grand caravan for about 9 weeks. The problem is that 4 times now the van has not started when turning the key. No lights, no cranking, nothing. This goes on for a time, 5 minutes to 45 minutes. It also has a problem with shifting into gear. With the engine running, when you shift the tranny into Reverse or Drive, nothing happens even though the gear shift indicator light moves accordingly. I think that the two issues are related somehow. The dealer has looked at it twice now and told me there is nothing wrong with it since there are no computer error codes. Obviously a brand new vehicle that doesn't start or shift into gear has something wrong with it. Does anyone have any insight or experience with this issue? I am thinking that it is a problem with the electronic shifting mechanism since it would probably prevent a key start if the transmission isn't in park, or the computer doesn't think it is in park.

The vehicle is at the dealer as I write this, but if the computer can't tell them what the problem is they can't/won't fix it. It is getting rather annoying. I am getting the response "if I can't duplicate the problem I can't fix it".