Symptoms of a bad starter

Yes, it could be the starter. It also could be the battery. I've replaced the battery three times in my 20 year old car, but the original starter is still fine. I'd have the battery checked before I replace the starter.
In another car, I had symptoms like bad starter, but in that car, the starter was really expensive, and on a hunch, I had the charging system tested. The "new" battery was defective, saving me hundreds when I didn't need to replace the starter.

Check all the fuses, you probably have one blown. If that's not it you could have a bad motor or a loose connection somewhere.

I haven't seen one of those starters in a long time! :) Check to make sure there is twelve volts getting to the starter when you try and crank it. If there is than try turning the engine over by hand just to make sure something isn't locked up. If it turns replace the water. You can also try tapping (key word is tapping) on the starter while somebody holds the key in the crank position or while you jump the solenoid. If the starter works after tapping replace it. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer them. Thank you for using FixYa.com!

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Sounds like the battery is dead. If the lights work and the horn blows at least it isn't your alternator!

If you took that battery to Auto Zone and they tested it and said it was good it may not be the battery but that would have nothing to do with it being the Alternator unless you removed the Alternator and took it in for testing and it tested good as well. If the the voltage Regulator is bad on that alternator it may not be allowing the proper amperage to the solenoid on the starter. It could possibly be the starter but if you pull the starter and take to Auto Zone they can put it on a test bench and load test it to be sure it is working. If the Starter is good and the Alternator test good as well as the battery check the cable going to the starter for a break in the insulation allowing it to ground and replace it if you find one. Also check the starter relay in the power distribution box or mounted on the drivers side fender wall, those are the locations for these on most vehicles. If all of that checks out then it will be time to look at the ignition itself. Through all of this make sure that any alarm you have installed is disabled to make sure the problem isn't a starter kill switch.

are you sure the engine isn't locked up can you manually turn engine??
try hitting the starter it may have a bad connections from a worn brush if by
hitting it starts cranking you no the starter needs replacing.

Sorry But What you Discribe IS an Indicater that the Starter IS FAILING, You Must Find out if the POWER IS Coming OUT the STARTER SIDE Of the SOLINOID With a TEST LIGHT, If it IS the STARTER is BAD___ SMACK Starter With A Hammer (Unconventional YEA) But Effective in Diagnosing Starter Problem. Also Be SURE of TIGHT MOUNT of Starter As GROUNDING Can ALSO Cause your Symptom

could be bad battery cables or bad ground check them good

Sounds Like the Starter RELAY is Bad After Exhausting All other Test, Go For The RELAY
A SURE-SHOT way Is to Jumper Wire From Battery to (STARTER SIDE) of Relay if starter Works then Its the Starter Relay if NOT>>Then Its the STARTER<) Relay Instruction Below. STARTER Instructions Very Bottom
REMOVAL
WARNING: WHEN PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE STARTING SYSTEM BE AWARE THAT HEAVY GAUGE LEADS ARE CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY. MAKE SURE PROTECTIVE CAPS ARE IN PLACE.

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
   1. Disconnect the starter motor solenoid relay switch wiring.
   1. Remove the protective cover.
   2. Disconnect the push-on electrical connector.
   3. Remove the nuts.
   4. Remove the cable.
      1. Remove the starter motor solenoid relay switch.
      1. Remove the engine sensor/generator wires.
      2. Remove the bolts and ground wire.
      3. Remove the starter motor solenoid relay switch.
      INSTALLATION
      
   5. Follow the removal procedure in reverse order NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to relearn the strategy.

REMOVAL

WARNING: WHEN PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE STARTING SYSTEM BE AWARE THAT HEAVY GAUGE LEADS ARE CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY. MAKE SURE PROTECTIVE CAPS ARE IN PLACE WHEN MAINTENANCE IS COMPLETED.

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Remove the starter motor solenoid terminal cover.
   1. Disconnect the starter wires.
   1. Remove the nuts.
   2. Disconnect the wires.Remove the nut and the starter ground cable
   3. Remove the bolt and the starter motor.
      1. Follow the removal procedure in reverse order. NOTE: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the vehicle relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to relearn the strategy.