1998 dodge durango running fine when parked. next day, battery low would not jump start, changed battery, new battery cranks good but won't even attempt to start.

I call that chatter and means the starter solenoid
sees only 8vdc from the battery , cranked.
there are 6 causes, due to 6 things(parts) make cranking go.
why do all that,and not do jumper cable jump starts first. if works then battery is NO GOOD>in car.

posted this 100s times.
both cable ends (x4) not loose or rusty.to bat.
1: battery good means alternator not bad too.
load test the battery or jump cable jump it.
we know the starter is good, last words of your post.
2: then key switch good, and ST pin sends 12vdc
to the PRNDL switch.
3:PRNDL on/in the tranny must work in park and neutral both so all techs and tow truck mean test neutral cranking next or gets egg in face.
4: next up (it is a series path of DC ST )
the starter relay closes, called energizes.
and sends 12vdc to the soleniod and starter cranks.
5: starter bad , no it is not.
6: wires bad.(and or connectors)
did not jump start your car
did not charge battery and load test it. oops

comments:
NO 15 year old battery is good, my 50 year record is 10 years life, (and not common)
did not crank in N neutral PRNDL.
did hot wire starter and starter is loaded for bear (good)
and wires. yes can fail #6
so all techs know that and out pops Mr./ DMM set to volts to find where the path fails easy.
normal cranking voltage is 11vdc.
the 1 volt loss is battery internal resistance at 300amps load.
8vdc the solenoid chatters like mad. a huge key fact.
it only takes a voltmeter to find this failure.
after jumper cable jumps fail,
if not fail Jumped, the battery is bad,(or rusty lugs)

good luck , be happy for 6 and not 50 engine failures and lots of tests. that.

we charge the battery first then load test it , a tool..
or have shop test your battery ,even walked in.
or find a good battery out of 2nd good car. TRY IT.
or jumper cable jump start your car off 2nd running car just like AAA Auto club tow trunks do endlessly.
day by day.
or the voltmeter across battery terms (clean) show 8vdc cranking is a bad battery.

not withstanding driving car the battery dicharged dead , alternator dead.

vivian check if cables are loose including both terminals. If the battery works on non-rainy days, it could be ok.

At www.reliable-store.com get complete guide on whether to repair or not,
service it, and how to repair etc, along with wiring diagrams, electrical diagrams, torque specs, error codes, everything.

Battery being drained & won't run? Is it starting fine or do you need jumps to start? Not sure because your explanation was vague but sounds like you may have an alternator problem.

Your friend has probably blown a fusible link ( usually in the low-tension (thin) wires from the battery close to the terminal)

What happens when you attempt to start the engine? If nothing happens when you turn the key,you need to check the battery to determine its state of charge. Many starters won't do a thing unless there is at least 10 volts available from the battery. A low battery does not necessarily mean the battery is the problem, though. The battery may have been run down by prolonged cranking while trying to start the engine. Or, the battery's low state of charge may be the result of a charging system problem. Either way, the battery needs to be recharged and tested. If the battery is low, the next logical step might be to try starting the engine with another battery or a charger. If the engine cranks normally and roars to life, you can assume the problem was a dead battery, or a charging problem that allowed the battery to run down. If the battery accepts a charge and tests okay, checking the output of the charging system should help you identify any problems there.

Is the ground for the engine and the battery clean and working properly check at point of connection with test light to see if all grounds are OK and make sure no positive cable are bare and touching metal causing a ground fault and blowing fuse . check wires at battery and going to starter some times wires will burn through and touch other wires or metal causing a direct ground. good luck

you must have crossed the battery cables. check all fuses under hood

Its likely having problems because of how cold it is. A block heater is beneficial during these times. I recommend getting some starter fluid. Have someone spray it into the intake while you try to start the vehicle. This should get your engine back up and running, if not you may have water in your fuel from the cold weather. You can also try disconnecting your fuel supply lines from the cylinders and trying to crank the car. Once an observer sees fuel flowing in steady spurts reconnect the lines and try starting it. Good luck!

Does your durango have a security system? Sometimes it may require a keyed entry of the drivers door, but i doubt thats your problem. One thing Durango's are cleptic on is their ability to act all sorts of awkward on a low battery. Maybe a good idea to try a known good battery before we jump into anything further. Any CEL's btw?