Starter replacement at only 51k miles?

[Katner]

Yesterday I got a call from my wife saying she was stranded at the shops because the car wouldn't even attempt to start. Dash lights come on, air blows, music plays, does not start.

Incidentally the closest auto service was the Mazda dealer across the street. We towed it there and got the diagnostic today:

Starter replacement required? The car has 85,000kms on it and just went out of warranty this past summer so this is troubling to me.

Is it normal for this kind of replacement to be necessary at this point in the car's life? I didn't notice any strange symptoms leading up to this. Car started instantly and without issue every single time until yesterday when it suddenly wouldn't even attempt to turn over, just silence.

What's more troubling though is their cost estimate: $690 plus tax. Son of a b...

Now normally I would say 'screw you' and go to a reasonable mechanic, but the car does not start so I would have to pay $150 to get it towed to another shop where I may have to wait days for the car to be prepared for driving.

 

[Silentnoise713]

For a 2008 with 51k, that's way too early. You made the right call to get it done there, even at a premium b/c you are stranded. You should ask them to break down the $690 charge to see where it is coming from. If they overcharge for part, bring your own. If over estimating man hours, check with another shop and talk down this one reasonably. Replacing a starter is not difficult. Involves taking parts out of the way to access the starter, followed by a part swap (may need breaker bar to get it loose), and reassembly <- cliff notes directions.

Did you try whacking the starter (not always easy to access but a thick long rod can help) to see if it help to turn? This is a good reason to own a manual so you can bump start and not worry about being stranded due to starter

 

[was98strat]

+1 on the mtx. Bump starting is becoming a lost art as new gens of drivers are being fooled into thinking auto is more efficient and versatile than mtx!!!