Re: smoke from engine, about the starter (archive)

Here's a theory. Normally the starter doesn't come into play until the key is turned, because the solenoid kicks the gear in, and connects the starter to the power, directly from the battery. If the solenoid is working normally, the motor doesn't get power. But if the previous owner quit driving the car because it wouldn't start..maybe (here comes the theory)....

The starter motor seized while cranking, and the solenoid jammed in the "on" position. So now when you connect the battery, power is feeding directly into the windings of the seized starter motor, heating things up and causing the smoke.

I just can't think of anything else that could be drawing any current with the car off and key out, unless your positive battery cable is directly shorted to something.

Is there a big spark when you connect the battery?

Mike L

Just a guess, but could be a dead short in the starter motor???

Mike L.
Bear with me, I'm a novice. I just replaced a dead battery on a '86 528e that had not been cranked in 3 months. The car belongs to my neighbor and I am considering buying it. After connecting the second terminal, smoke immediately came from underneath the engine. I disconnected the battery immediately. Out of morbid curiosity I tried it again with the same result. What could be causing this?

you observed proper polarity when connecting cables? positive to positive etc. MikeL may be right, but the starter shouldnt come into the picture until the key is turned. id check the main cable connections including the engine to chassis ground strap. wierd things happen to cars that sit. does owner have any clues? its prolly something simple, try not to let out any more smoke, electrical things need very nearly all the smoke that was packed into them at the factory in order to function at top efficientcy. ;)

Follow Ups:

Re: smoke from engine, about the starter thomas 14:48 11/27/2000 (8)
- Re: smoke from engine, about the starter MikeL 15:08 11/27/2000 (7)
  - Re: smoke from engine, about the starter thomas 15:42 11/27/2000 (6)
    - Re: smoke from engine, about the starter thomas 00:46 11/28/2000 (3)
      - Re: smoke from engine, about the starter Richard Beaver 10:54 11/28/2000 (0)
      - Re: smoke from engine, about the starter MikeL 08:19 11/28/2000 (1)
        
        Re: smoke from engine, about the starter thomas 12:42 11/28/2000 (0)
    - Re: smoke from engine, use a meter MikeL 17:38 11/27/2000 (0)
    - Avoid smoke-use an test meter RonW 16:05 11/27/2000 (0)

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