Chrysler Repair: Car not starting, solenoid switch, tow truck driver

Question
Roland....my sons lebaron did not start last night.  AAA was called and the tow truck driver hit something under the hood with a hammer and the car started.  When he got home the car did not start again.  I tried to start the car but it did not turn over.  It sounded like something was spinning and then it stopped.  The car has power the windows and lights all work.  It was dark where the car was parked so I have not been able to look at the engine yet. Also am not that experienced with auto repairs.  I was told by my coworkers that the starter is bad and needs replaced. It is a 1992 (I think) lebaron convertible.  Please help as I am trying to help my son save money in repairs if it is something that he and I can do ourselves.  Thank you Roland.

Answer
Hi Kasey,
If the battery is reasonably charged, and you can hear a soft click in the power distribution center box under the hood behind the battery (or better yet a louder click from the underside of the motor (which is the solenoid switch that connects the battery power to the starter motor and also activates the gear that connect the starter to the engine flywheel) then you know that the circuitry to produce cranking is present. If you don't get the loud click and only the soft click then it is probably the solenoid or the battery is too weak. If you get the loud click and no action, or just spinning sound, then it means some aspect of the starter motor (motor itself or solenoid) is bad, unless the battery is just too weak to turn the motor armature.  Try a jump start if practical or recharging the battery if you have a charger and some time to wait. Otherwise, he can trade-in the starter unit for a rebuilt one at an autoparts store or independent rebuilding shop (I prefer the latter).
Removing the starter is not too difficult, but I can't be very specific because you didn't say whether it is a 4 or 6 cyl engine. Always begin by disconnecting the clamp on the - post of the battery so you aren't dealing with live wires at the starter which come directly from the battery and can produce burns if you short them to ground. It is pretty much a matter of removing two wires and about three bolts from under the car, with the car jacked up and supported by jack stands.
If you want, write back with the year and model and I can check for anything unusal that you need to do to remove and install the starter motor.
Roland