Our 2001 SSEi without warning failed to turn over last night, our mechanic looked at it, says it needs a new starter assembly, however:

1: strange "humm" coming from the steering column when ignition is turned, could it be the VATS system?

2: How difficult is the starter assembly to replace myself? before I spend $$ I really don't have?

Before you do anything or spend any money. Do you have lights, radio, etc? But when you crank there'* nothing? Do the lights dim when you turn the key? If yes, pull both battery cables and clean them real good. Both at the battery, and at the starter and where the ground attaches to the block. See if that fixes the problem.

thank you for the prompt reply!

Connections were the first thing he checked, no luck there.....