My car is dead...

[GrandAmChick]

Not exactly sure if this is the correct section, so feel free to move this if it is...

1st some background info. Wed. my friend installed a bunch of neons n strobes n LEDs in my car. Everything went smooth until the key got stuck in the ignition. Finally when we get the key out, which ended up getting slightly bent, the battery was also dead. Jump the car n everything seems ok. Turn the car off, n the battery, oil, n security light remained on. Then I realize that the key wouldn't turn entirely to the "off" position, but remained 1/2way between "off" n "accessory." In order to get those lights to go out when the car was off, I had to pull 1 of the fuses out. Turn the car back on, put the fuse back in. Everything else seemed fine.

This morning I go to turn the car on n the battery is completely dead. 8 hours later after work, I borrow my friend's Civic to jump it. After a few tries, the car starts, but sounds really strange. I check inside n for the 1st time, the SES light was on. The other dash lights were working too, along w/ the exterior lights, however, air was not coming thru the vents, n my HU wasn't working.

As I'm explaining this to my dad (who was there the whole time), we hear the car suddenly start to "stutter" n then, while the key was in the ignition (the car was on n running), the car just DIED. Completely turned off on it's own. My dad screams for me to get the key outta the ignition, n as I do, the lower center of the engine (down by the starter n the air filter) is crazy SMOKING, n it smells like burnt everything.

Electrical fire perhaps? I dunno. My dad says I blew the electrical system, or the alternator, or the entire engine, n since I've voided every warranty blah blah blah it's gonna cost me $5k. Says I might as well just get a new car. Of course he was just ****ed (today was the 1st time he found out about the CAI n the springs...). So I call AAA n luckily the guy who came was also all into modding his Cougar, so he understood how I felt n was extremely careful. So he tows my car (saddest thing ever seeing her up on the bed) to Pontiac, where she will remain for the rest of the weekend.

Sorry for any unneccessary details n thanks for reading, but does any1 have any idea WTF happened?? I can't see it having anything to do w/ the neon install. My friend knew what he was doing. A few ppl I've talked to have said maybe the wire housing, the starter, or the selenoid in the starter, but no1 can tell me for sure since their ideas r just based on my description, not actually seeing it (or smelling it). Well, I'm hoping n praying (hey, it worked for Nick) that it's not gonna be too bad, n everything will be ok, but no1 seems to understand that my car means everything to me, n while it's just a car, it's upsetting me so much.

-Mel

Here's a pic of the area that was smoking if that helps any.

[GrandAmChick]

Here's a closeup pic of the area that appeared to be smoking. Of course, for all we kno, it could be wires or something from underneath.

[GrandAmChick]

n finally...here's a pic (kinda blurry) of my poor car as she was being towed away out of my block. (My dad n I followed behind cuz I wanted to make sure nothing happened getting off the flatbed aka scraping etc.)

[PGsGT]

Well that really sucks Sorry to hear about your car.

I was first going to ask you if you were sure if the gear selector was in Park and actually lit the light up. If you do not completely engage into park, you can not remove the key. But, I don't think that it would have given you a problem like this - well, I know it wont. I don't know much about those engines - but I doubt that you actually fried the engine. I doubt you fried the ECM either. But, you fried something - but I doubt that its something "big".

When do you find out?

[GrandAmChick]

Thanks for the input. Service Dept. doesn't open til 8am on Monday. So I'm getting there around 7:45 to talk to some ppl n explain what happened n make sure they don't pull some BS that 1 of my mods caused this so it's not covered. So I guess maybe sometime on Monday I might hopefully find out something.

[2002GT]

You should have removed all the electrical mods... They might try to pull a quick one over you... Easier to re-install then have to pay for something...

Sorry to hear about your car.... Best of Luck

[Mikey's GT]

I wonder if the starter failed to disengage from the flywheel....

I used a couplestarters in high school for an electric go cart, and they absolutely reek and bellow smoke once you get 'em good n hot!

Very possible, but I am just speculating hear. As far as all the lights, which fuse did you pull to kill the neons?

-Mike

[Ishan]

damn, that is sad, hopefully your warrenty will cover it.. and if they try saying cuz you got the mods it won't, remember that law.. whatever it is.. as long as it increases performance it doesn't void the warrenty, ^_^

next time worry sooner.. as i have found out the hard way as well.

[GrandAmChick]

Originally posted by 2002GT
You should have removed all the electrical mods... They might try to pull a quick one over you... Easier to re-install then have to pay for something...

I kno, but my friend who installed everything is down in Myrtle Beach on vacation w/ his family n isn't coming back for 2 weeks... =/

Originally posted by Mikey's GT
I wonder if the starter failed to disengage from the flywheel....

I used a couplestarters in high school for an electric go cart, and they absolutely reek and bellow smoke once you get 'em good n hot!

Very possible, but I am just speculating hear. As far as all the lights, which fuse did you pull to kill the neons?

-Mike

That's what my dad is thinking now too...maybe when we were jumping it the starter never disengaged n burnt. (It was still reeking approx 1 hr later when the AAA guy came.) Would that cause the car to COMPLETELY stop tho?? Dad was saying that once the car is started, the starter can be removed n the car should keep running...hotwiring cars etc...but he says he's not positive on our cars...I couldn't even arm my alarm after it was towed.

Also, the fuse I was pulling wasn't for the neons, it was the 1 which would turn the accessory lights (oil, security, battery) out, n which also made the speedo n RPMs not turn on at all--I guess the entire dash... (The lil red 10amp 1 directly below the blue 1 in the driver's side fuse panel.)

Originally posted by Ishan
next time worry sooner.. as i have found out the hard way as well.

Yeah...me too. Shoulda been brought in Thurs. morning once I was yanking fuses...

[sarahs00ga]

Originally posted by GrandAmChick:
no1 seems to understand that my car means everything to me, n while it's just a car, it's upsetting me so much.

I feel ya girl....I'm the same way about my car. That really sucks that its broke down. I hope everything works out for you n you get ur car back soon (with as little $$$ out of ur pocket as possible)!

[mr_eh]

dont even bug, if its electrical its not a bad fix, nothing mechanical should be wrong... most a start/alternator... not like you need a new engine

[Pacman]

first of all, i'm sorry to hear about your car. what i can tell you is that in picture #2 the starter is located in the green circled area

[Molson]

Mel. CHeck the started power line, should be a 6ga or 8ga wire running from the battery, then to a ground, these HAVE melted off on other cars before, which would explain your problem. AND if that happened, especially the ground, that killed the body based ground and you whole electrical system died, which would kill the engine due to the fact that there is no injector pulse anymore. If thats the case, no big deal, couple new wires and you're back pimpin again.

(I know its at the shop, and you can't actually check) but that what I think it is.

[Dr_Kyle]

I agree that it sounds like the starter. The situation and order of events you described would verify that. (and yes, I know the smell of a fried started). However, if the key/ignition switch has a problem, it may have caused the starter malfunction/stick.

[Molson]

They key needs a negative pulse to go back to off. If the battery is completely dead, or there is a bad connection, it won't. Its part of the VSS.

[badassgrandam99]

...sorry about your car mel... and sorry i couldn't be more help when you called, but i really don't know anything about problems like that... i was at a complete loss... i know how u feel though with the car being towed cuz mine was towed when it was 2 years old cuz the alternator died ...sad day when all of your neighbors come outside to see a new car being put onto a flat bed...

[DumpsterDamon]

mel that suck! besides the starter (it's been covered real well) i'd sugeesting either replacing your battery with a yellow top or adding a yellow top to your current set-up.

[gagt13]

Mel sry bout ur car... hopefully its nuthin to crazy and its just a couple of wires...but then again u were saying that ur car hates u.....hope for the best

[GrandAmChick]

***9AM Monday morning update***

So after leaving my keys at Pontiac this morning n talking to the service guy n explaining to him what happened, n suggesting that it might be the starter or something w/ the wiring, I ask him what he thinks. "Sounds like it might be the alternator." Everybody else says it's probably the starter...he says alternator. Funny.

I handed over my keys about an hour ago n my car is still sitting there untouched. Hopefully I'll get a call soon. I have work at 12...

I went driving around after to buy a red top Optima battery cuz I've wanted to get 1 anyway, n here's the perfect opportunity, but at 8:30am nothing is open.

Thanks everyone who offered advice/opinions. u guys have been real helpful, cuz it's giving me a better idea what I'm in for, plus I don't sound like some dumb blonde when I offered my opinion n I sound like I somewhat kno what I'm talking about.

**prays everything will be covered under warranty**

[gagt13]

glad they found wut the problem might be..... but how does that explain ur key getting caught in the ignition??