(1987 Acura RS)

I agree - the big question is: has the timing belt been changed in the last
100K miles or so? If not, it is a big suspect.

Otherwise, the question is "why did the engine quit when it had been
running, and now the starter seems to spin?" If not the timing belt, I vote
for the battery being too low to engage the starter or to keep the engine
running. Charging or swapping the battery is a good place to start with
that.

But before going that far, watch the alternator/PS/AC belts to see if they
also move when trying to start the car and getting the whirring noise. If
they are moving, the starter is turning the crank but the valves aren't
keeping up... bad timing belt. I hope not.

Mike

Thank you guys for the feedback!!  In response to stating the year and
model I put it in the subject line, might have been overlooked.  There is a
good possibility that it is the timing belt.  I bought the car used at 170k
miles and now it is at 188k and I don't know if the belt was ever replaced.
Going to try and open the oil cap and crank the car to see if the
cam/valves are moving.