The battery is fine/new.

I checked the voltage on the device that had a coil inside it - in front of the engine, to the left of it as I am facing the front of the car (starter? alternator?) and that was 12V as well. So I think the connections are fine. Does that mean the starter is broken? What do I need to check next?

I also opened up the ignition switch area of the car, near the steering wheel well - but I am not sure what to check in there to see if the ignition switch is broken. Is there any way I can get a diagram of the wires in that area, to see what should go where - to determine if anything's loose.

Thanks a lot for all your assistance.

bump

Do you hear a click when you try and start the car? It may be the starter... try and tap it with a hammer while someone is starting the car.