Hey guys new to the forum and new to jeeps. I picked up an 01xj yesterday the battery was dead (yes I bought it not hearing it run but the price was right) anyways I put my charger on it got a good charge in it and hit the key. I get a nasty grinding noise and I don't believe the jeep is even turning over. I can put a socket wrench on the large pulley at the bottom of the motor and turn the motor over so I know it's not locked up. Any help would be awesome guys!

 

jump red cable on starter to solenoid wire. it should crank. if not, starter huh

 

The starter is turning but is making a terrible going noise like hitting thr fly wheel and the engine is not turning over/starting

 

The starter motor is not making correct contact with the flywheel/flexplate. (You didn't say if it's an auto or stick.)

Could be as simple as the starter solenoid, could be as nasty as ground up teeth on the flexplate.

You'll need to pull the starter to find out.

 

It is an automatic. I just pulled the starter off. Is there a way to bench test to make sure solenoid is working? Flywheel has some wear but it doesn't look bad by any means.

 

Sure. Just use some battery cables to jump start it. Hold it down in a vise or something first, or it will get away from you.