starter points, hard to do urself? Options

[CelicaST_CALI]

hey guyz,within the last 4 or 5 months the celi has been having starter problems....When it trys to start it, it clicks,so i pump the clutch and try to start again and it does the same thing for around 5 times,but once i do it,the next 4 times it starts fine,i took it to the mechanic and he said it was the starter points,and he said it would take over 6 hours to fix,and over 300$,the points are cheap im pretty sure,anyone got the part #?Then today my dad said that if i bought the part he would help me to install,anyone have a how-to,is this mechanic full of **** with 6 hours?

This post has been edited by CelicaST_CALI: Nov 23, 2007 - 2:43 PM

[Bitter]

the 'points' are the copper pads that are closed when the solenoid kicks the starter gear out. if you get a clang but no turning then the points are worn/pitted and dont make contact. replacing those points will often repair the starter, and the kit costs less than a new starter. however some starter problems are not easily repaired. if your starter spins down with a winding growling noise after starting the car then its probably worn out its bearings (mine did this) and will eventually seize and not rotate, but still kick out and hit the flywheel. bearings are not easy to fix and the whole starter should just be replaced.