Adventure, Starter maybe / maybe not Options

[Stef914]

Hi all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

I left early this morning for my beautiful beach ride. Drove all the way from Pasadena thru downtown to Santa Monica and then all the way to Ventura county line.
Had a brief stop then headed back thru the Malibu Mnts. around Simi Valley and back to Pasadena with the 210...

Car drove flowlessly as usual ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Had to stop to fill up some gas watching the $meter going almost like back home in Europe... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

When done I turned the key half way: pump sound check - all gauges check - but on the final key turn ooops car not starting... engine not even cranking (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

Disconnected / reconnected the battery a couple of time since I obviously have no clue about anything and I though I might as well try this procedure a couple of times, clearly with no success (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

While sitting at the gas station and trying to think a solution I asked this nice gentlemen if he could help me push the car to see If I could get it started in first gear, just like I used to do with my Vespa back in my teens ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Turns out that this gentlemen used to have a '72 914 from back in the days when you could get them for $500 ( yes $ 500 ... at least so he said )

Mine it's a late "73 2.0 FI all stock...

Now while he pushes under the hot heat sun of almost noon o'clock, when I release the clutch into 1st gear comfortably seating in the driver seat, the car starts just fine with no hesitations (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

"Starter! Definitely the starter!!": he says. Or something else that I've now already forgot ... something that started with the letter "b" ... if I try to remember...

Anyway long story short I drive the car back into my garage, kill the engine, try to restart it just for the sake of it and/or to see if it was just a nightmare I had tonight or if it really happened and guess what ... the car didn't start hehehe (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Now, you guys seems to know all about those cars, for sure more then I do ( I'm just a driver ) but does it sounds to you, based on my description that this could potentially be
a starter issue ??

I know it can be about 2.8 million different reasons but I'm just trying to narrow my search down (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif)

If you agree with the verdict would you be kind enough to tell me how much ( more or less ) such a repair might costs ? I'm in LA, so one way or the other I'm gonna get screwed over for sure but I tent to enjoy when I know HOW much I get screw over for (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

I already check online and a starter seems to go from about $200 to $300 plus he labor , the tax, the tips, the tools, the love and all the nice things that happen @ the mechanic ...

This said I'd like to thank you all in advance and looking forward to roll down the hills sometime soon (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

Stefano