I need some thoughts and advice from those of you in the know...

I have a 05 xB, that had some engine trouble last summer (possibly blew the rings). I found a used engine from an 06 that I bought and did a swap a couple of weeks ago. 2 sensors were different, one was a direct swap and the other is pending modification (engine knock sensor is different). After the swap, I had a battery charger hooked up to the battery, to shift the transmission into neutral, to trailer it. I got home the next day, Saturday, and then unloaded from the trailer on Sunday. I had to hook up jumpers to the xB to shift into neutral to untrailer. I never tried to start the engine, as I had not added any fluids yet. It has sat on the street for the last couple of weeks.

Today, I went out and put in oil, coolant, and checked the transmission fluid. I bought a new battery and installed it. I went to start it up and nothing. Only dash lights that come on are the oil pressure and battery lights, no dome lights, no open door chime, etc. (all of these were working when loading and unloading the xB after the swap). With a battery with charge, with the key turned off, the battery and oil pressure lights are dimly lit (never done that before). I tried hooking up jumper cables and still nothing.

I'm at a loss as to why it won't work now, when it seems okay a couple of weeks ago. I have the old battery back in, disconnected, and cannot get anything to work correctly.

Any thoughts, ideas, etc are greatly appreciated. I'm trying to resuscitate for my daughter to use for school this year.

 

Sorry for the late reply. I'd check the battery ground(s) to make sure it's properly grounded.

Did you get your alternator tested?

On the chance your starter is bad, tapping the housing with a hammer while turning the key might engage the starter.