My car didn't start yesterday. Instrument did not lit up. No click. No try to turn. Jumping it and still nothing. Pay to tow it to repair shop. Today they tell me it's $745 to replace the started. They also said that is if they don't find anything else in the electrical system after they put the starter in and get the car started.

I don't have much choice. To get another estimate I will need to pay another tow to take it to another repair shop.

2017 Hyundai

By "starter" do you mean the alternator? If yes then I remember paying around 300 bucks for a new alternator for my Chevy Cavalier. This was in 2001.

The starter that turn the car on when I push the start button.

Could be a dead battery, could be a bad starter, could be a bad fuse. Could be all or none of those things.

In my experience, when I switch the car to ACC mode, and there are no lights - that's a bad battery.

I am no car mechanic, but when you say that your dashboard (instruments) did not liight up, then that's for me not explained by the starter. More like electrics (maybe just fuse?) from the battery. Even without starting the engine, you should still have dashboard, radio, and other such appliances that are not linked to a running engine...

We told the mechanic on phone why not the battery cause it didn't start when we jump it and he said the broken starter left a circuit open so battery juice was not reaching the instrument panel and lights.I don't know if he is lying or telling the truth. I ain't a mechanic.

Sounds like you are very much at the mercy of the place you got it towed to. Limits your options somewhat. Is there a Hyundai dealer local to you?

Nah, that also makes some sense - the startet coil causes some strong disturbances and needs a high load, which is why you cut all other appliances during starti up.

It is a Hyundai dealer. I go to the Venezuela shop for tires and quick oil change but never needed repairs. Do not know any honest mechanic shops and another tow will be more $.

$745 is a good price at the dealer?

I can't say NFB. I'm a retired motorcycle mechanic and never had much to do with cars.

If they say it's the starter and replace it that should be the end of it as they are Hyundai dealers and should know their own models the best but I know from experience that some mechanics just throw new parts at a problem rather than do the actual proper diagnosis. The result is an ever growing list of parts that the customer is expected to pay for.

$745 is very expensive for a starter. What model of Hyundai is it ? How much of that is labour ?

Two completely different parts. The alternator is what keeps your battery charged.

That's the whole bill with tax. Elantra.

How much does a Car Starter Repair cost?
On average, the cost for a Hyundai Elantra Car Starter Repair is $238 with $143 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

Also https://repairpal.com/estimator/hyundai/elantra/starter-replacement-cost

I don’t know where the labor rate is so low that it’s only $95 to replace a starter. Even up here you’ll pay a minimum of $110ish/hour for labor.

I agree that the symptoms aren’t indicative of a bad starter. Dead battery, blown fuse or fusible link, corroded battery cables, or bad ignition switch/actuator would be my diagnosis.

Thank you all for insight, opinion, advise. It's done. $745 for a new starter with labor and 2 cables and a fuse. Battery and alternator looks good. Waterpump has a tiny leak, tell me to check the water level regularly.