My CRV sometimes starts on one click and sometimes takes 20 clicks to start. battery is fine. 129k mileage, is the starter the obvious culprit or can this just be an electrical issue? I wish its just a relay issue but Honda mechanic insists that its the starter....Help please because so expensive to replace the starter. Thank you.

 

If you can put a wired remote starter and crank the engine every time easily then it is not the starter
Wired remote .. is basically a wire with clips on the ends and a switch in the middle.
One side is connected to the "S" post on the starter solenoid and the other is connected to the positive post of the battery
Pushing the switch a few times will let you know if the starter is good or if there is another issue that needs to be looked at (starter, wires, relays, etc)

You can take a multi-meter and do voltage drop tests (current must be flowing .. loaded test)