My Solara died on me :\ (vid inside) UPDATE!

[LatinDragonXJC]

Story: I'm driving back home with my girl. And the headlights suddenly start flashing like cop lights. My battery warning light comes on. The whole cluster gets dim. I start losing power........and the car shuts off.

I roll it to a corner, it starts smoking. I pop the hood and see the following.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXNUVkg-v6M

Can anyone identify what's leaking?

I had to abandon the car for the night and walk home, since it was super cold over here (17 F). And waiting for AAA was out the question. I am getting it towed to a mechanic Monday morning.

[MisterTedster]

It looks like it may be coming from the tranny. Perhaps a cracked tranny case?

[no_escape]

I'm thinking the same

[ASG14]

Looks almost like the starter (+) wire shorted, and the smoke is the wire melting. Looks to me int he video there is black melted plastic dripplets. they would explain the (Battery) ont he dash. screwed the electrical system.

[MisterTedster]

Looks almost like the starter (+) wire shorted, and the smoke is the wire melting. Looks to me int he video there is black melted plastic dripplets. they would explain the (Battery) ont he dash. screwed the electrical system.

Good call, I didn't notice the black droplets. I agree, that better explains the battery indicator on the dash.

[LatinDragonXJC]

Looks almost like the starter (+) wire shorted, and the smoke is the wire melting. Looks to me int he video there is black melted plastic dripplets. they would explain the (Battery) ont he dash. screwed the electrical system.

That sounds about right, since I was experiencing starting problems. It would take multiple tries to start the car, especially when cold. So is this a new starter? Or could it have screwed my electrical system completely?

[ASG14]

New started AND (+) harness I think should be it. BUT, it needs to be looked at in person to make a determination.

[SleeperSolara]

Hmmm....
What did the smoke smell like??
Looks like what everyone else said.

[dug320]

If you look at the smoke it looks like it is coming from lower down. The color of the smoke seems a bit off for burning insulation but the air temp could be a factor. Smell, even at that temp would be a key.

But, I would agree with the others it is electrical.

[99BlackSandv6]

I'd say replace the mains wires from the battery and the battery itself, then determine if there is actually anything wrong with the starter itself. I could just be chafed wiring that shorted out. That seems most likely to me.

[SpeedySolara]

This is 100% your starter! Your starter got stuck and simply burned from the inside thats why it was smoking. This is a typical problem for Gen 1/1.5 Solara's with 90k+ miles so replace the starter and you'll be fine.

[sahuddleston]

sorry this happened man - how many miles are on your solara?

[LatinDragonXJC]

This is 100% your starter! Your starter got stuck and simply burned from the inside thats why it was smoking. This is a typical problem for Gen 1/1.5 Solara's with 90k+ miles so replace the starter and you'll be fine.

Bingo, my car has 97k+ miles. How much does a starter normally cost for our car? And how many man hours to replace?

Funny thing is that same day I was supposed to go car shopping, good thing it didn't happen on a highway. Today it's 21 degrees with 35mph winds.

[PhreakdOut]

Definately electrical unless something was leaking right onto the starter connections. (Doubtful) Begin with the wiring, make sure the battery is not loose and sliding around. Check to make sure it didn't ground on the hood or some other piece of metal. Then follow the positive harness. Look at the metal around where the cable routes. Look for evidence of grounding. If you don't see anything, then look to the starter. It's pretty easy to install. (Two bolts probably and wire connections. Which I hope were tight.) You can do all this yourself so have the car towed home. Good luck and keep us posted.

[ASG14]

Check AutoZone, PepBoys, Advance Auto etc for Reman starter prices. It's only like a 1/2 hour to replace. It;s the wiring if damaged thats the intensive part.