rick_tj

Well, not sure what he did to get it to start today, but dad got my car started. Not long after, he and mom said that there was HEAVY smoke, and a smell of burnt rubber or something coming from under the hood. I'm guessing since you guys told me the starter was going, that it was the starter that did it. I'm just glad it didn't catch fire. Sucks too, today was supposed to be paint day.

SureShot

Sstarting a flooded rotary normally makes a lot of smoke.

That by itself is not a worry.

buttsjim

Your earlier problem sounded like your starter solenoid based on your description, but I wouldn't say that for sure without seeing/hearing it first hand. I'd be really interested to learn if, when you heard that rapid clicking sound, the starter was actually turning the motor over.

You were definitely drawing a high electrical current with your earlier problem. Now, you have smoke, and potentially burning wiring (or something). You definitely need to find out what your problem is before driving your car much more. If it's a manual transmission, you could possibly push start it to avoid the smoking/burning activities.

Look under your hood for signs of burnt wiring or connections. Especially, look at the starter from underneath the drivers side of the car.

buttsjim

Was the heavy smoke coming from under the hood, or the exhaust?

SureShot

Oh, there is more to the story - under the hood smoke - I should read more carefully.

How about a loose connection or weak primary cable?

buttsjim

Yeah--the rest of the story (lol). He's got another thread titled "Odd Start Issue".

rick_tj

I checked both battery cables and terminals yesterday when it wouldn't start, they're nice and snug.

SureShot

I assume the source of the smoke is still a mystery.

Here is a simple quick voltage test to catch any hidden problems:
-With a digital voltmeter
Engine running, headlights & heater fan on high:
Alternator post to alternator frame = 13.5-14 volts (verifies the alternator output)
alternator post to battery (+) = 0 volts (verifies the primary + wire)
alternator frame to battery (-) = 0 volts (verifies the primary ground)
Turn off the motor, but leave the lights on.
Battery (+) to battery (-) = ~12.5 volts and holds steady. (verifies battery)

Then visually check the cheezy clip-on ground tha goes from the top of the bell housing the the firewall.
If the primary ground is not perfect, this #10 wire will smoke.

rick_tj

Well I just went and fired it up after checking the wiring and anything else that might smoke. Fired it up, and it started right away. No smoke or strange smell this time. What I don't get it is that I told mom that it might just be the engine unflooding, but she insists that she smelled rubber burning. I don't get that.