starter turns flywheel only

1998 dodge caravan I changed the starter but it had the same problem.The starter turns the flywheel but not the engine,is there some kind of locking flywheel?:screwy:

It sounds like your flex plate is broken.
When you have a auto transmission, the starter drives the torque converter.
The converter is connected to the engine by a flex plate.

Thats the way it normally is but when I pulled the starter I can turn the flex plate easily,like its on a bearing. I just have to wonder if it is some kind of locking plate or torque converter thats not working?

The flex plate and torque converter must be solidly attached to the crankshaft of the engine in order for the engine to start and run. If you can spin the flex plate and torque converter freely when the starter is removed and the crankshaft and engine accessories don't move at the same time, then something has become disconnected, possibly a broken flex plate or broken crankshaft. This can be proven if you reinstall the starter and when you attempt to start the engine, the start just spins and whines at one constant speed, like it does when you try to start it with all the spark plugs removed. If this is the case, the torque converter is spinning on the input shaft of the transmission, your so called bearing. Your next step is to drop the transmission or remove the engine to find out what has become disconnected.

Could be a busted crankshaft. I had a Ford Thunderbird V-8 break in half years back, the front 4 cylinders would not turn while the back 4 turned while cranking. I didnt figure it out at first until I noticed that none of the pulley belts were turning while cranking.

Anyway, I hope that hasnt happened to you.

Good luck!