Chevrolet Repair: starter/ignition switch, starter solenoid, sign time

Question
I have a 16 year old Geo Tracker (before it became Chevrolet). It's not driven much and has only 85k on it. How long can I expect the starter and ignition switch to last? When they do fail, will the car just not start and I'll be stranded somewhere, or do they first show warning symptoms?  Thanks

Answer
HELLO MR LEE, WELL LETS START OUT WITH THE STARTER,MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THE STARTER STARTS TO FAIL IT WILL JUST CLICK WHEN YOU TRY TO ENGAGE IT. SO CLICK, CLICK WHEN EVER YOU TURN THE KEY TO THE CRANK POSITION. BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT WILL START. JUST KEEP CLICKING IT. BUT WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT IS A WARNING SIGN. TIME FOR A NEW STARTER. I WOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THEY WILL ALWAYS BE ABLE TO REBUILD YOUR STARTER OR GET A NEW STARTER FOR IT..THERE ARE TIMES HOWEVER THAT THE STARTER WILL JUST FAIL. NO RESPONSE AT ALL. THIS HOWEVER IS RARE. AS FAR AS THE IGNITION SWITCH GOES IT HAS LESS OF A CHANCE OF GOING BAD THEN THE STARTER..BUT AGAIN IT CAN HAPPEN,BUT,, VERY ,VERY RARE..IF THE SWITCH GOES BAD YOU CAN ALWAYS JUMP THE STARTER SOLENOID TO GET IT RUNNING..IF YOU HAVE A AUTO-MATIC TRANSMISSION THIS WILL HAVE A NUETRAL SAFTY SWITCH WHICH PREVENTS THE TRUCK FROM STARTING IN GEAR. THESE SWITCHES GO BAD AS WELL. NOT TO WORRY YOU, BECAUSE THEY ARE PRETTY RELIABLE. JUST THOUGHT YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW.. THERE IS ALSO A STRATER RELAY,THEY FAIL AS WELL.[[BUT RARE]] THIS IS A GOOD QUESTION BUT IT IS LIKE ASKING [MY TEETH ARE OK NOW, BUT HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS ????]]YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE.DO YOU SEE WHERE I AM GOING WITH THIS ???.BUT,, DO NOT WORRY ,BECAUSE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PARTS FOR YOUR TRUCK...IF IT RUNS GOOD KEEP IT..SAVE YOUR MONEY.. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU,IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS PLEASE LET ME KNOW..PLEASE WHEN YOU LEAVE THIS SITE WOULD YOU MIND RATING MY ANSWER.. THANK YOU,,, TOM..