A starter motor takes a very high current and needs a very robust switch to handle it - the starter solenoid. A small wire activates the solenoid switch which delivers the big current to the starter motor - the big red wire will run to the starter solenoid and from there to the starter itself - in the engine area.
If you hear no click from the starter solenoid it might be defective - the wire that activates it may have come adrift or be broken - the switch that asks for it all to begin may be defective - there may be no power arriving at the switch to be sent out - a fuse may have blown.
You suggest that you have a meter so get checking. A good place to begin is at the starter solenoid - not the big cable but the control wire.
Just follow the big cable - it will only go to one place - the starter solenoid - always close to the starter motor itself.
The hammer idea is not sensible - hammers tend to break things - not mend them.
I have no special experience to offer these suggestions.
Good Luck...
May 2016
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