UK Car Repair: Rover problems starting, rover metro, starter problem


Question
I am hoping you can help here.  I have a Rover Metro which is now refusing to start.  Approximately two weeks ago the car would not start at all, breakdown was called and they could not find the problem at the time.  Once the car was towed home it started with no problem.  This has happened again, only now it will not start at all.  When I turn the key all I here is a clicking noise and nothing else.  Battery has been checked and is fine, all lights work along with the wipers too.  Each time I try it is just the constant clicking,  I tried moving it back and forth in top gear with handbrake off incase it was a stuck gear, tapping the starter motor and also tried a bump/manual push start.  All of which have so far failed.  Any ideas what this could be?  Thank you in advance :)

Answer
It might be a starter problem, the clicking sounds like the solenoid is trying to engage.  BUT, you say you tried to push start it, but it didnt work!  Did you get it going fast enough to spin the engine sufficiently?  It could be that the clicking is not the solenoid, the only answer is to test with a light to see if there is a feed to the solenoid when the key is turned to the start position, if there is, then the starter is faulty. If not, check the line back to the ignition switch.