$250 for New Starter - Dealer Price - Is this fair?

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Redraven

The re-man electrical parts (starters, alternators, etc.) I buy have a lifetime warranty. If it fails, I take it back to Checker Auto Parts and they give me a new one. That was real nice when I was driving AMC vehicles. The Ford starters that AMC used on their I6 engines had a high failure rate (they lasted about a year), but it only took 10 minutes to remove the fool thing, and a fresh rebuilt was free, so no big thing.
I installed a re-man alternator on my Dodge CTD about 5 years ago, it is still going strong.
Ask about the warranty. Re-manufactured parts are often just as good, sometimes better, than new, and much less expensive.

It depends largely on who re-manufactures them, and to what standards.

Years ago I needed to replace the alternator on a '90 Cutlass Supreme, with the 3.1 V6. The parts man showed me two alternators - an new one from AC Delco, and a re-manufactured one.

The new alternator carried a 90 day warranty. The reman carried a limited lifetime warranty. The reman was also about $50 cheaper.

What the parts man showed me is that the re-manufactured alternator actually had significantly larger bearings installed, and on that particular alternator that was what always failed.


So sometimes reman is better than new.

[stanman13]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

So sometimes reman is better than new.

Not to mention you are doing your part with the "recycling" bit. I have generally had good results with remanufactured parts.

On this vehicle, though, I still have suspicions about the battery.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by stanman13

Not to mention you are doing your part with the "recycling" bit. I have generally had good results with remanufactured parts.

On this vehicle, though, I still have suspicions about the battery.

The OP vehicle? Yeah, I'd agree.

On first glance, based on her explanation of the "clicking" sound, it seems like a no-brainer that it's either the starter solenoid, or a bad connection. If it's a bad battery connection, that's easy enough to remedy. If it's the solenoid, that comes on a starter any way.

This shouldn't be a very expensive fix.

[Deez Nuttz]

Originally Posted by tstone

Good luck, and buy a brand new starter unless you want to change it again in 3-6 months.

Not necessarily so. The "remanned" starters are usually pretty good too. It's the "rebuilt" starters you have to watch out for.

[Linson]

Originally Posted by Ortegas80

I drive a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 38,000 miles. And this is the following frustrating story... need your advice and expertise.

Sarurday - Driving around from 9:00am until 4:00pm when it dies outside the store. I was in there 15 min or so. I come out and "click" the car won't start. Across the street a Just Tires... I run across and borrow a battery charger. I connect it "click" still won't start. Left car in parking lot overnight.
Sunday - Go back try to start with two different keys... "click" wont start. I call a tow truck they bring it to closest dealer (1 mi. and they are charging me $130 ... I digress.)
Monday - Service Advisor will not give me straight answers and finally calls back and says it started fine!! It could use a new starter though. I say how much $250... I do not ask if this includes labor ... realize this after I hang up phone.

Should I get the starter?
Is this a good price?

Thanks for any and all advice I can get!

my advise: buy one from a discount auto supply store, like Autozone, and keep the receipt as the part will probably have a limited lifetime warranty. then put it on yourself if you are physically able. it really doesnt take much mechanical inclination to replace a starter.