'94 wagon 3.8 engine doesn't crank

Just to be certain, I just had the starter tested and verified good. I placed a brand new battery into the car and verified 12.59 volts as well as verifying nearly no resistance between the post on the battery and the post on the solenoid, much less just the cable itself.

When I turn the key, all lights come on, yet absolutely nothing extra happens when the key reaches the furthest forward point. Additionally, if I let the key rest in it's furthest forward resting place and jump the starter with a cable running directly from the battery to the inside post on the solenoid, the starter spins like crazy, yet if it's spinning the flywheel, I'd barely know it based upon the lack of resistance it sounds like the starter experiences.

Another odd point is that when I pulled the starter, there was something resembling insulation tucked up in and around the flywheel. Did I mention this car has sat for several years? Could something have taken up residence in there? How would they have gotten in there? These questions are far less important to me than what to try next. I have no service manual on this car!

sounds like a starter bendix not pushing gear into flywheel

I'd agree with inafogg that the solenoid doesn't seem to be engaging. You also need to figure out why the key switch is not activating the starter relay. You might start by shifting the car to neutral to see if that has an impact. Maybe the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) is not working properly, or maybe whatever is living in the flywheel/bell housing has also snacked on some of the car's wiring.

-Rod

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'll have a look at this tonight when I get home!