The car wont start .... i have power to turn on lights

There are several things that must happen for it to work. My first thought is the solenoid circuit. IF that's good, then a relay isn't giving the go-ahead for the starter circuit to engage. Assuming the brake circuit is working, and the car really knows it's in PARK (I had a Dodge that had a misaligned linkage and the key wouldn't engage the power to the starter) then the ignition switch might be the problem.

There is probably something else going on - a malfunctioning MAF should not immobilize the engine, but trying to clean it is a bad idea as it is very sensitive to failure with the wrong cleaning procedure. Check the power at the starting motor solenoid with the ignition in start position - if missing, check fuses, and wiring back to the ignition switch, and the switch itself.

First thing to check is turn your key on and look for a amber light that say check engine. Make sure that light come on and go out after about 3 to 15 sec with the key in on position. If you don't have the light on the most likely your car computer do not get power recheck the fuses and fusible link.

If you have the light on then listen to the fuel pump running when you turn the car on, it should run for about 3 sec. and turn off. If you don't hear the sound of the fuel pump then it would be your fuel pump or relay. obd2 scanner tool

check to make sure the main wire going to the starter is tight mine was corided and did the same thing ..just a thought

sound like starter,have you can have starter checked out at any auto parts stores for free.replace both battery cables if they are old as vechicle bad battery cable will cause start problems. turn off radio first before removingnegative battery cable

this sound to me like at first I thought it was a fuse, as the problem went on it shifted more toward a weak cell in the battery, if a weak cell sits for a little while the battery will not hold the charge in that cell and that will cause loss of power, "its charge", in tne other cells. you had mentioned you used another battery and it ran great but when the battery was removed, things went wrong. You may check to see if there is water in your battery

because aaa can jump start it and you can't sounds like maybe the battery cables are curroided (dirty)
in-between the battery post and the clamps, clean the battery terminals and charge your battery as a loose conection can run down even a new battery

START WITH CHECKING THE FUSE LABELED INSTUMENTS,GAUGES OR CLUSTER IN THE FUSE BOX ,JUST TO SEE PUT ANOTHER FUSE IN ,AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK ,LOOK FOR A LOOSE GROUND WIRE,OR IT MAY HAVE AN AFTERMARKET ALARM,BUT DOUBTFUL IT WOULD KEEP THE WARNING LIGHTS FROM COMING ON , YOU MIGHT CHECK YOUR WIRING HARNESS AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY PLACES THAT LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN HOT ETC,BUT IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION LIKE IF YOU JUST PUT THE ENGINE IN THE TRUCK ,OR DID IT JUST START DOING IT AFTER YOU DROVE IT & GOT BACK IN & IT WAS NOT WORKING ,OR ????

Read your comment on 8/18...Kzactly what I thought. always look at the basics...more times than not, you will find problems there, and , by checking, you eliminate false readings when doing other tests.

Some things to check:
Does it have fuel getting to the engine ? (fuel pump is located in gas tank: check fuses)
Does it start if you spray some starting fluid into the air intake? Is there any spark when it is cranking over ?
A 2000 model? Might be old enough for a corroded power wire splice point. Might just be a bad computer.
Start by checking the fuses.