Series 3 dead electrics then smoke from component on jump starting

sjr202 · Jun 19, 2023

Hi all
A few weeks ago had to jump start the S3 which was fine but coming to do it today connecting the jump leads and got spark from the negative connection which was unusual but then once connected saw smoke coming from the near side depths of the engine bay. It has a 2.5 NA engine. Can you tell me what the circled component is causing the burning? Thanks
Simon

tottot · Jun 19, 2023

It is the starter motor. And the wire is a chassis to engine earth line, more usual for it to be connected to an engine mount bolt. Smoke in this situation is a sign of poor connection.
Remove from starter, clean connection, refit to bolt on the engine block.

sjr202 · Jun 19, 2023

tottot said:
It is the starter motor. And the wire is a chassis to engine earth line, more usual for it to be connected to an engine mount bolt. Smoke in this situation is a sign of poor connection.
Remove from starter, clean connection, refit to bolt on the engine block.

Thank you. Guessed it was the starter motor but wasn’t too sure. Couldn’t tell if the smoke was coming from the motor itself or the wire. It didn’t turn over do maybe the starter motor is jammed?

tottot · Jun 19, 2023

Could be a jammed motor or just not a enough current getting through.
Check the point where the battery earth is attached [ usually near battery box] A good mod is to have it direct to engine block.

sjr202 · Jun 20, 2023

Thanks @tottot the info is much appreciated, I'll see what I can do and failing that its trailer and winch time!

Colthebrummie · Jun 24, 2023

You cant have enough earth connections on a series. Make sure any new cable you use for earths is good and thick. Welding cable is good and tends to be cheaper than battery connector cable

Col

sjr202 · Jun 26, 2023

Thanks Col, its gone to a specialist to figure it out now

probably for the best given the amount of sparks which came off the jump leads when connecting them! This one is for the experts now

Dorset_dumpling · Jun 28, 2023

This might be a stupid question, but are you sure your landy hasn't got a positive earth? This would certainly explain the sparks when connecting the leads.

sjr202 · Jan 24, 2024

Dorset_dumpling said:
This might be a stupid question, but are you sure your landy hasn't got a positive earth? This would certainly explain the sparks when connecting the leads.

Sorry, revisiting old threads!
Well the specialist stopped the smoking and sparks, since then the starter motor packed in (which might have been one of the issues) so replacing that has made a big difference. I also found the earth from start to chassis covered in oil/mud so after cleaning and replacing that its been better still.

tottot · Jan 24, 2024

Put what you have learned in memory banks and save some dosh with similar issues in future.
If earth from batt is still to the tray a good mod is new one direct to engine block.
Use a new cable. Had a problem on my 2a, turned out old cable was well corroded inside resulting in greater resistance.
We here like to know outcome.

dag019 · Jan 25, 2024

tottot said:
Put what you have learned in memory banks and save some dosh with similar issues in future.
If earth from batt is still to the tray a good mod is new one direct to engine block.
Use a new cable. Had a problem on my 2a, turned out old cable was well corroded inside resulting in greater resistance.
We here like to know outcome.

Also you can never have too may earths so if you do add a new one to a different location keep (or replace as well) the old one to the old location.

Series 3 dead electrics then smoke from component on jump starting

sjr202

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tottot

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sjr202

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tottot

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sjr202

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Colthebrummie

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sjr202

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Dorset_dumpling

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sjr202

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tottot

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dag019

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