i need the e30 fairies (again)

[debse30]

HELP!!! My car wouldn't start so i tried to jump start it but LOADS of smoke appeared and there was a smell. My boyfriend thinks its an electrical fault, just wondered if anyone else had had this problem. This car has been more trouble than it's worth. And no it didn't start!!!

[craigieeb]

have you checked the obvious, like is it sparking? is there fuel getting to the engine? whip the rotor arm off to make sure there's going to be a good conection, and check the points inside the cap,


what sort of smell was it??

and what colour was the smoke?

[debse30]

The smoke was a bluey colour and there was like a melting smell!! It's not ticking over so can't really tell about the other stuff!! Will get boyfriend to do the rotor arm..

[DAN]

was the jump leads connected to the right connections......

[bootyman]

I was going to say the same as you Dan. It sounds like the smell of the lead melting when you connect them backwards

[Karan]

ive done the leads backwards thing....
very embarassing it was too

[debse30]

nah the smoke wasn't coming from the leads?! more in the center!!

[Geeman]

In the centre of what...?

[debse30]

not too sure yet goin out there to have another look....

[Jhonno]

ive done the leads backwards thing....
very embarassing it was too

same here!! biiiiiiig sparks

[debse30]

the smoke wasn't comin from the leads boyfriend seems to think it was something to do with the electrics?? But the car hadn't turned??? He's now out there (bless him) taking out the battery to charge it but that doesn't solve the problem.

[320Touring]

Is it a light blue, almost grey colour?If so, may be oil thats burning?!

If you got no BIG sparks, then you wont have connected the jump leads incorrectly

Check that the battery is'nt damaged (no cracks or splits etc) and that it has enough water in it..

Also check that teh earth strap (from the battery neg (-) terminal) is coonected correctly and not damaged/rusty

Does it make any cranking noises-or do you not even hear the starter motor kicking in?

[M3RAGS]

she said it wouldn't start! So its hardly going to be oil as the engine was never running!

MY bet is the retarded switching of the leads causing the 'smoke'.
Also, continual attempted started will make the lead to the starter get extremely hot and the same can occur.

You will have to be more specific please.

[Widge]

If you connect jump leads the wrong way around it'll fry the alternator which will then produce whisps of smoke. Other electrical components can get fried too so I should think it was that.