My car is not cranking, but the fuel pump is running. Is it likely to be the starter? I was going to go auto-x tomorrow too

 

Also, smoke start coming out from the left side of the engine... Since the starter is there, it should be the starter

 

it's not cranking? as in you don't hear it turning over at all? Or it cranks over, but doesn't start?

 

Smoking is usually a sign of battery cables getting hot and melting due to either too much electrical resistance or the starter/engine is locked up. Start with a fresh set of battery cables and see if that helps.

 

The car is not cranking, you don't hear any turning over at all. This morning, I tried to start it, it would turn over a couple time and die again. I thought it might be the battery, but it still won't crank when i try to jump start it.

 

Starter, had the same problem. working fine one day. The next, no crank at all. New starter in, started up fast.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

as trochoid said, there's something not right and drawing too much resistance. either you have a bad battery cable or it doesnt have a good ground or the starter is seized from age or clutch dust buildup. or maybe the starter got too hot from cranking at some point and failed or just plain went bad. it happens. i would first check the cables and grounds. then i would check the connections at the starter. if nothing happens there, replace the starter. if still nothing, go through those cables again.