Some starters have a solenoid mounted on them to move the starter pinion in to mesh, others use a 'bendix' mechanism, a spiral thread that throws the pinion in to mesh as the motor turns.
Either way, you need to remove the starter and check the engagement mechanism.
Update - yes, it could be a dead cell in the battery. If the starter does not have enough voltage / power to engage, it will still spin and you will hear the whirring sound.
Very unlikely though, if a jump start had no effect.
It seems like an electrical wiring problem. Your friend disturbed the connection to one of the fuses which got it to start. Most likely the wiring from the ignition to the starter solenoid.
Hi so it is going to cost money to get it sorted.
Take the battery to any store other than Auto Zone where new ones are sold. Ask for a free 15 second *load test which will tell you the reserve amperage capacity. Amperage spins starter motors not voltage.
First, check the connection to the starter motor. They can get corroded.
also check the earth strap that goes from negative on the battery to the slam panel.
You are not getting power to the starter motor.
I have a Rover 25 1.4 Impression 2001
Yesterday it would not start. Has always started 1st time. Ive had it 6 yrs very little use.
When I turn the key to the on position I am able to use the radio the lights, indicators and have tested the alarm and immobilizer work fine. On the dash 5 lights come up; red-SAS, red-battery, red-handbrake, red-oil and yellow-looks like a plug. Also I hear a whirring sound for about 1 second and then that stops.
When I turn the key all the way nothing happens, no clicking no noise at all.
So I called my mate who is NOT a mechanic, but knows a lot more than I do about cars.
While he was on his way I attempted a jump start from my neighbors car. No joy.
My mate turned up and checked the battery connections. We then got it running with a push start. Turned it off and again it would not start; same problem. We did another push start and it was running. While it was running he opened the fusebox under the bonnet and removed 3 fuses (smaller fuses at the top right, going down 3 fuses on the same side) then put them back in. When he took out the 1st fuse (possibly 2nd as i was on the phone at the time) the engine stopped.
He closed the fusebox and attempted to start the car. It started! Turned it off, turned it on again, no problem.
Today, same problem. Lights work, no start with no noise.
He thinks its the starter motor or a loose/bad connection somehwere.
What do you think it is? Hopefully Ive given enough detail for a diagnosis and some ad
