[Mark Ugrich]

I’ve seen alternators short and drain a battery, plugging in a new starter probably wouldn’t fix that.Short to ground in the starter field windings/armature would make sense.I don’t think a shorted solenoid would cause what you describe.I have seen shorted or worn solenoids engage the starter until the battery runs out of current though.What orientation is the battery mounted in? Like was said , I’d try slowly recharging the battery. It might come back if nothing melted internally.