2003 Dodge Caravan 3.3L 6v with 68,000 miles. For no known reason, the anti theft light came on the last time I drove the vehicle and when I start it, the light comes on and stays on - it does go out for a few seconds when the other lights go out but then it comes right back on and stays on. So far no trouble starting the car as others have reported but I don't know why the light came on, why it is staying on or what I should do about it.
I've tried using both of my keys (one I use all the time and one I rarely use) to lock, unlock the door in ways suggested as "fixes" online. And I've tried checking for a Fault Code by turning ignition On, Off, On, Off, On but no code appears on the odometer.
I haven't tried disconnecting the battery because I'm afraid that might trigger starting problems and have read online that fuses should not be pulled to check unless the battery has been disconnected. If next step would be to disconnect battery, and/or check fuses I can do that. I haven't been able to figure out which fuse might need replacing so any info on that would be appreciated.
I would appreciate any suggestions re. what I could try next. Money is extremely tight so please don't say take it to a dealer. When they see a 70 year old woman, they see $$$$. Information, ideas would be much appreciated. Thank you

 

I'm following up on my own post since no one had any info to share. Here's what I learned:

An automotive locksmith explained why my early 2003 Dodge Caravan continued to start even after the anti-theft light came on and remained on. The remote keyless entry in my early 2003 Dodge Caravan operates by magnetic resonance (MRD) and is separate from the anti-theft security system. My keys do not have chips in them so, unlike later model 2003 Caravans that have keys with chips in them, my early 2003 Caravan continued to start even though the anti-theft light remained on.

The most likely 'cause' of the anti-theft light coming on and staying on in my case was having a low battery. However, even after a new battery was installed **without saving any of the settings**, the anti-theft light remained on.

The first dealer I went to wanted $119 just to diagnose the problem. That's beyond my budget so I went to another dealership where they looked into the problem more carefully and discovered that there is a Service Bulletin on the problem - TSB 08-009-02. They "reset the learned features in the MIC per TSB 08-009-02" for $49. And at last the red light disappeared and has not returned.

So, after spending far too much time on this, here's what I'd recommend:
1. Take both cables off the battery and cross the ends of them for at least 5 seconds. According to a good automotive locksmith, 40-50% of the time this will clear the problem of lights remaining on in Dodge (and Ford) vehicles.
2. If the battery is low, recharge it or replace it **without saving the settings so you lose your radio station settings***. The reset and the improved battery often clear the problem.
3. Take it to a Dodge dealer, tell them about TSB 08-009-02, and bargain re. the charge for resetting the learned features in the MIC.

 

thank you for sharing. 49 is a reasonable price, happy for you!

 

I remembered that TSB (superseded by 08-015-04). Unfortunately, it states other lights coming on implying all need to be on for the TSB to apply. Thank you for clarifying Chrysler's mistake. Good to know it applies to any of the lights coming on.