300D won't start, whines

[djm74]

83 300D won't start. when i turn the key to the last position, just before engaging the starter, there is a loud whine from a little box just inside the driver's front fender in the engine compartment. the tachometer goes nuts, bouncing back and forth across the gauge. when i turn the key all the way, it makes a clicking noise and the starter VERY slowly turns. i tried jumping it both with and without the battery to no avail.

so, do you think it is the relay for the starter or the starter itself. the loud whine from what i guess is the relay is making me hope that that is the issue.