Need advise about the starter (98 Rodeo)

For the last two weeks, I have been having troubles with my 98 Rodeo (S, V6, 2WD at 92K). Some mornings -or some evenings after work- when turning the key, all I hear is just a "click" and engine does not start. Then I turn off the key and try again. This repeats around 3-5 times and then engine starts. It runs fine and the battery was replaced about 2 months ago. Besides, there is no sign of loss of power... I searched the forum to confirm my suspicions about the starter, and it looks like the symptoms point to a "starter" problem. I assume it will get worse over time...

I took the truck to a local shop today. In the morning it started at the 3rd try; however, everytime they tried at the shop, it started at the first time.... They performed the battery and electrical tests and everything showed as "normal". They dont want to replace the starter, unless they see the "click", but I could not leave the car without arranging some alternate transportation. I was quoted $220 for the part + $83 for labor. Does this sound reasonable? Unfortunately, based on what I read so far on the replacement of the starter, I dont think I would be able to do it myself. I live in Southern California. I would appreciate if anybody could recommend a local mechanic shop around here (Los Angeles, Long Beach, Irvine area), where I can take my Rodeo for the starter replacement, as well as some other work (the big 100K maintenance is approaching).

Thanks in advance for the help!

I think that the starter is hard to get out and you have to drop part of the exaust to get to it. 83 bucks sounds like about 1 hour of labor.

If you are concerned about the start cost, call up st. charles isuzu (see the faq's) and see what it costs (they offer free shipping).

This does sound like your problem. You could also clean up your battery posts, and clean up the battery ground points (there are a couple of them, one to the alt bracket).

after you do that and you still have the problem then it is time to change the starter. Just tell them you want it changed.

Due to a recent experience I had with a starter I would say with 99.9% certainty that your starter is bad. What happens is the part of the starter that is responsible for pushing out the drive gear to engage with the flywheel is also responsible for making the connection to drive the starter motor. The problem occurs when the contacts are worn unevenly and sometimes make contact and sometimes don't. This accounts for the intermittant failure. Eventually the starter will fail completly.

Thanks for the replies! After searching around little, here are the prices I got from different sources:

dealer - $280 part (remanufactured, denso) + $190 labor (two hours)
local shop - $220 part (remanufactured, generic) + $83 labor (1 hour, but if they end up working on it longer, which is very likely for the starter, additional labor would apply)
pep boys - $210 part (remanufactured, generic) + $120 labor (2 hours)
St. Charles Isuzu - $260 (new, denso; can get $50 back if I send the old one back to them).
e-bay - $91.99 ($79.99 denso + $12 shipping; new, with 1 year warranty).

Of course, I purchased the starter from eBay after seeing the $100 difference and the "100% brand new" line... They seem to be a trustworthy shop with a great feedback (even some feedbacks are from Isuzu owners, who bought the same starter from them, and said "thanks, brand new as stated").
Here is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7968841908

Since I cant do this myself, now I am searhing for a shop that would install it for a reasonable $$$ and provide a warranty on the workmanship (the part is covered anyways). For instance, dealer does not provide any warranty unless you buy the part from them.
So, the search continues :roll:
In the mean time starter is still holding up (it has not taken longer than 5 tries to start, yet; I hope it will last until I get the part and find a shop to install it...