Starter won't turn

[Timothy]

So, I replaced the engine in my 1997 Wrangler (myself). This is all the starter will do. It did it in the jeep. I pulled it to test it with another battery (jumper cables direct to starter then using a screwdriver to jump power to ignition), in case the one in the jeep was not charged enough-same result. I thought it was a bad starter, so I replace it with a new one. Same result in the jeep with new starter. I’ve never seen such a thing. Any insight?

Also, it's a 2.5 with manual transmission.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Could be a weak battery connection, possibly a bad battery sucking the life out of the jump start battery. Enough power from the battery to extended the Bendix but not enough to power the starter so it can rotate the engine.

 

[Davidtj]

Is motor grounded properly?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Is motor grounded properly?

The starter gets its ground connection from being bolted to the engine.

 

[Chris]

It seems to me like it's got to be a weak or bad battery. Especially if you've tried it on two starters with no luck.

 

[CodaMan]

It seems to me like it's got to be a weak or bad battery. Especially if you've tried it on two starters with no luck.

X3