96 Caravan: Starting difficulty- linked to ABS?

[my2bits]

Just picked up my 96 Caravan from the body shop. They replaced the drivers side front door (wife was backing up with the door open- don't ask- high blood pressure).

The odd thing is, when I went to start it, the tumbler in the ignition seemed loose and was noisy, like a rattle. I turned the key, and got nothing. I noticed some clicks and a short hum, like a pump or small electric motor.
The click can be felt through the brake pedal.
Every 4 or 5 times I turn the key, it will start.
They were closing, so I took it home. They agreed it was odd, but suggested it was the battery, and insisted they didn't crack the steering collumn (why would they?)
At home I tried to start it numerous times, making notes as I went.
With the key in, turned to one click before ignition, dash lights up, ABS light on, the mysterious buzz, then a loud click that coincides with the ABS light going off. If I wait, it is more likely (not always) going to start. A fast key turn from off to ignition gets nothing.

This is NOT a problem that existed before.
But I have no reason to believe that they messed with the electrical much.
Could someone have crossed a wire/battery post and fried something?
I am taking it back, but am worried they will insist it has nothing to do with them.
Any ideas?

[webbch]

Can you wiggle the key in the ignition and get this behavior as well (trying to verify if its ignition switch related or not)? Do all the buttons on the door panel perform their expected function? Unless the repair shop chafed some of the wiring leading to the door or left off a connector that is dangling around inside the door, it may just be a coincidence that this started right after getting it back from the body shop.

Not saying they didn't have a hand in it, but I can feel for mechanics who end up owning every subsequent vehicle problem after working on a customer's vehicle.

[my2bits]

Yeah, the door works great. That is why this is so frustrating.
I'll gladdly accept that my problems are my problems, but this didn't show up while driving home, this was a drastic difference when I sat in the vehicle the first time. Unfortunately it was 5pm, and the guy said, "Drive it home and see what happens."

I've wiggled the key, I sat in the van with a clipboard, logging what happens every time for 20 turns. It is odd. It feels and sounds like a different ignition switch... not just a little, but a lot! And there were no ignition problems before. Not to mention the click and whirring that seems to be associated with the ABS.

That is why I posted this thread. I'm hoping someone might have some insight as to what would cause this difference. It seems like a long shot. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but this is too much of a difference to accept as a coincidence.

[webbch]

OK, lets start with the conspiracy theories then....

Did you happen to notice any other dodge caravans at the place, or even any other minivans? Who knows, could've had a work order to replace an ignition switch, got halfway through yours before realizing they were working on the wrong one, then hurriedly put yours back together without much thought, screwing something up in the process.....Or perhaps they actually completed the replacement....or.....

I'll agree...it's a long shot for sure. But you know your van the best, and from what you say the mechanical operation of the ignition switch is vastly different, implying a completely different switch, or someone put the wrong key in and did some damage somehow.