the starter motor is located on the driver side, it is attached to the side of the gearbox. the best way to get to it is by jacking the car up an taking the wheel off (driver side front wheel) and sliding underneath the brake caliper, if you look up you should be able to see it clearly.
i had the same problem with mine a little wile ago and found that the bolt holding the starter in place had threaded, youl find the reason its probably making that tapping noise is because flywheel is catching on the gaurd plate of the stater motor.