Does a STAR always lead you to your first point on the approach?

[meatlover]

I have found that this isn't always the case.
Sometimes the STAR will guide you to a point that is your IAF, and this will be the same point where you start your approach basically.
Other times this is not the case, and the STAR basically brings you in a point, and the ATC will gie you vectors.
What happens though when ATC can't give you vectors(radar is down) and the STAR doesn't exactly lead you to your approach?

Thanks guys.