Driving around today, just running errands and suchlike, when all of a
sudden I hear a horrible noise from the engine compartment. Slow down,
getting ready to pull over, changing gears seems to make it worse. Gunning
the engine is bad too. Get to a parking space, try and turn off the car,
it won't turn off. Well, let me amend that, engine turns off, but starter
motor just keeps going. I think I've got the problem pegged now, so I get
it to a final resting place before it totally drains the battery. It
appears that the wiring harness is OK, however I believe the starter motor
to be toast and the connections appear to have melted insulation on them.
I guess I'm lucky not to have a car fire here. I have disconnected the
battery. What happened to cause this, and what should I check (besides the
starter motor) to make sure I don't have some kind of electrical problem.
Some extra info, new battery and rebuilt alternator installed end of 1999.
This car sat for a few months earlier this year, while I figured out rugs
and upholstery. Maybe that's when some of the smoke escaped? Thanks in
advance. Nina
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