When you turn the key do all the lights on the dashboard turn OFF? If they do then your battery is too weak. If they don't, and don't even dim much, then your starter is burnt out or you lost connection to your starter due to corroded wiring, blown fuse, or starter relay. One other slight possibility exists where the key switch assembly in the steering collumn is damaged and does not connect the starter wires when the key is turned. (I'm assuming you don't have an electronic ignition disabler security system).
This could be as simple as an shifter cable out of adjustment, or a bad neutral safety switch, or even some loose change in the H-ShifterGauge. If the car is not in Park or neutral, it will not start. If the car is not in park, the key will not come out. If the car thinks it is in reverse, the mirrors will lower automatically.
After a while the cable can get out of adjustment and just needs a SIMPLE, and inexpensive fix, although I'm sure you could pay someone a lot of money to look at it. (if you do not have the Rave 2003 CD, buy one, they're about $5 on Ebay. Rave is worth consulting before spending big bucks on a mechanic, many of which can't work on rovers, 'cause they can't...well nevermind...
Answers & Comments
When you turn the key do all the lights on the dashboard turn OFF? If they do then your battery is too weak. If they don't, and don't even dim much, then your starter is burnt out or you lost connection to your starter due to corroded wiring, blown fuse, or starter relay. One other slight possibility exists where the key switch assembly in the steering collumn is damaged and does not connect the starter wires when the key is turned.
(I'm assuming you don't have an electronic ignition disabler security system).
This could be as simple as an shifter cable out of adjustment, or a bad neutral safety switch, or even some loose change in the H-ShifterGauge.
If the car is not in Park or neutral, it will not start.
If the car is not in park, the key will not come out.
If the car thinks it is in reverse, the mirrors will lower automatically.
After a while the cable can get out of adjustment and just needs a SIMPLE, and inexpensive fix, although I'm sure you could pay someone a lot of money to look at it. (if you do not have the Rave 2003 CD, buy one, they're about $5 on Ebay. Rave is worth consulting before spending big bucks on a mechanic, many of which can't work on rovers, 'cause they can't...well nevermind...