my 96 850 won't even turnover

Post by **red_baron** » 27 Sep 2011, 14:06

1996 Auto 850GLT SW NA w/255K+. Always fired right up at the turn of the key. Today came out of a store, hopped in the car turned the key, almost started, tried again nothing, then a puff of smoke came out from under front of hood. AAA came out, battery is ok, starter getting voltage, no flashing or illuminated dash warning lamps. Towed home. Now the fun begins. Bad starter/solenoid??? Suggestions?

Post by **Matty Moo** » 27 Sep 2011, 14:10

The puff of smoke isn't good, but says that it's something electrical.

kendpotter · Post by **kendpotter** » 27 Sep 2011, 15:32

Pull codes.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 27 Sep 2011, 16:12

Definitely sounds electrical. Are there any burnt wires around the starter area? Will the car turn over freely but just not start?

Post by **red_baron** » 27 Sep 2011, 17:24

FCPGroton wrote:Definitely sounds electrical. Are there any burnt wires around the starter area? Will the car turn over freely but just not start?

No burnt wires that I can see. No noise from the starter/solenoid at all. No clicking, no attempt to turn-over the engine at all. Connected my code reader: no codes reported.

Post by **red_baron** » 28 Sep 2011, 18:36

Followed diags in Haynes manual re: STARTER/SOLENOID. As a result , determined starter was toast. Pulled starter out of my donor 96 850 (PITA) and installed (PITA). Started right up. On inspection of the "bad" starter the grounding cable from the solenoid to the starter had rusted thru, maybe shorting out and blowing the solenoid. Back on the road 255K+ miles and counting!