Car won't start - won't even crank. is it battery or starter

[SYAWEDIS]

Hello,

I recently took my car to the mechanic to give it a 'once over' as its been sitting for almost a year. Got the car back and the very next day, car won't start. It wouldn't even crank over, as if the battery was dead. I sat in the car for like 15 minutes taking the key out, retrying to start it, and repeat. After 15 minutes it finally cranked, and actually started. Went to the store, turned it off, came out 10 minutes later and it started fine.

Few days later I went to start it again, same thing. Wouldn't even turn over. So i pulled out the jeep and gave it a jump start, and it fired right up on the first try. From there I went straight to the mechanic.

Called my mechanic today and he says it was the Starter. Does that sound right? What are the symptoms of a bad starter? It makes me think more that it's the battery since it started right up after getting some juice from the jeep....

So my question is, does it sound more like battery or starter or could it be either?

[SYAWEDIS]

I have a 91 civic, by the way.

[Sandman]

Does the CEL stay on when it refuses to start?