[Tyler Durdan]

Starter is located underneath the car at the flywheel (at the front side of the tranny).  I've never heard of hitting it to get a car going, but why not give it a shot.  You can rule out the fuel pump, cuz it would try to crank over, but just won't start.  I'd check the starter first, then maybe the distributor.  More than likely the starter if you say its not the battery or alternator.