300M will not crank

Maybe it thinks you're in gear (ie not park or neutral) ?

Thanks, but I do not think that the problem is the transmission interlock. My wiring diagram indicates that this interlock would prevent voltage from the battery from reaching the coil of the start relay. In fact I do have voltage there when the ignition switch is in start and the transmission is in park. The PCM interupts the part of the circuit from the relay coil to ground. That is why I think that the problem is the PCM or one of the sensors.

Which would mean a bad transmission range sensor - this problem does occur. The PCM is looking for the shifter to be in park or neutral before it enables the starter relay.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my adddress with the letter 'x')

The PCM has to see a signal from the *tranny* *range* *sensor* saying that it is in park or neutral before it will issue that ground to the starter relay coil to enable it (so that when the start signal comes from the start contact of the ignition switch to the other side of the relay coil, the relay hits the starter).

MoPar Man was right: The PCM thinks the tranny is not in park or neutral and so is not grounding the starter relay coil. Probably the tranny range sensor has a problem.

Bill Putney (To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my adddress with the letter 'x')

William Stephens> Thanks, but I do not think that the problem is the transmission interlock.

OK Thanks.

Is there any way I can check the sensor without dismantling the transmission, or should I just give up and have it towed?

Why don't you run the stick shift up and down the range a few times, or try starting it in neutral (or find the ground connection on the starter relay and temporarily hard-wire it to ground?).

This may sound too simple, and you've probably checked it, but you'll want to make sure that all of the wiring on the transmission is properly plugged in. I've never looked at a 300M, but I've noticed that the wire to the sensor comes unplugged sometimes on the front of a Dodge Caravan transmission, causing exactly the symptom you're describing.