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No response when I tried to start my car...starter?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5.0 Nostalgia
  • Start date Start date Jun 23, 2004

5.0 Nostalgia

10 Year Member
Feb 28, 2003
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5
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CT
Jun 23, 2004
#1
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #1
I tried to start my car a few minutes ago and it would not start. It tried to crank for about a second and then nothing. Some white smoke started coming out of my hood. I opened it and smelled something burning when I stuck my head between the throttle body and strut tower. Could my starter have blown? Should I be worried about the smoke? I know it is not the battery because all the electronics work.
 
S

Shibbydude529

New Member
Nov 29, 2003
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0
Jun 23, 2004
#2
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #2
this happened to me just like 3 days ago and i thought it was the starter but it turned out to be a killswitch on the alarm system
 
8

87'GTstang

New Member
Feb 16, 2004
1,025
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0
Jun 23, 2004
#3
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #3
Does it continue to smoke when starting or just that one time? What types of noises does the car make while starting?
 

88POSLX

Founding Member
Sep 16, 2002
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Red Deer, AB
Jun 23, 2004
#4
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #4
I don't get white smoke, so this might not be it... but, I have longtubes and a couple times now the starter wire has burned through and grounds out on the headers... instant no start. One of these times I should redo that wire rather than keep wrapping it in fiberglass cloth
 
D

DJiCE

Member
Apr 2, 2003
117
0
17
Bloomfield, NJ
Jun 23, 2004
#5
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #5
happen to me once, but instead of in the engine it was in my interior.
Turn out my alarm brain burned up white smoke everywhere.

thank god gor fuses, my fuse blew...

anyway do you think clifford would warranty my alarm brain?
 

5.0 Nostalgia

10 Year Member
Feb 28, 2003
904
5
39
CT
Jun 23, 2004
#6
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #6
I just went out to start the car again and it started with no problems. The car does have an alarm. I know a couple people said that may be the culprit. When this happened, there was a faint attempt for the car to start, then nothing. I turned the key again and heard a soft pop. Then the smoke came out by the battery. But when I opened the hood, the burning smell was coming from the area by the throttle body and strut tower.

Also, should I disconnect the battery because the car is in the garage? I don't want to start a fire!
 

88stangmangt

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
1
48
Stafford,VA
Jun 23, 2004
#7
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #7
well if it wont turn over then your starter is prob going out.
 
V

v8only

Active Member
Jul 3, 2003
2,378
22
49
Jun 23, 2004
#8
  • Jun 23, 2004
  • #8
smoke under the hood, happens to me when I overheat the solonoid on the fender near the battery. Check your battery cables to be sure everything is tight and clean, could be a bad battery solonoid. I'm willing to bet it's overheating and smoking.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Jun 24, 2004
#9
  • Jun 24, 2004
  • #9
dont forget to check your cables, esp the one from the solenoid to the starter. you can do a drop test on it or check resistance. resistance in the wiring can cause smoke......(dont let the smoke out of the wires, as Michael Yount says. LOL).
 

5.0 Nostalgia

10 Year Member
Feb 28, 2003
904
5
39
CT
Jun 29, 2004
#10
  • Jun 29, 2004
  • #10
double post
 

5.0 Nostalgia

10 Year Member
Feb 28, 2003
904
5
39
CT
Jun 29, 2004
#11
  • Jun 29, 2004
  • #11
I tried to start the car again today. It hadn't been started since Thursday. This time I did it with the hood open. The first time I tried to start it the car wouldn't start and smoke came from the battery. It must have enough juice to run the electronics in the car, but not enough to start it. I did it again and the car started up. Must need a new battery.
 
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