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[david036]

Has anybody had a similar experience to this with a starter motor?
Was wiring up one of our MK2 Granada's with the 2.8v6 in.  Had it wired and running, no major dramas there!!  Until for some reason car just continued to crank over, and we noticed that the starter had got read hot, as had the earth leads.  Few seconds later got a puff of smoke from earth leads and starter with a horrible smell!!
Left it, moved couple of things with the earth lead, went to earth it again and the sparks we immense - enough to short a small city!!!!!  Had a suggestion that the starter is shorting a makin the whole car? 
Does this sound possible?  What couyld have caused this to happen?  Look forward to your suggestions!!!

[bigegg]

Dunno if this is plausible - is the main feed to the starter switched by the solenoid?
Is the solenoid jammed on?

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Never had this myself, but it sounds possible your started has got jammed onto the flywheel and the engine ends up turning the starter motor at engine speed, thus producing a current back along the leads.

I'd certainly remove the starter motor and inspect it

[millwall]

i had similar on a volvo 460 a few years back  it was a faulty starter solenoid   crapped me pants when it happend as there was smoke pouring out the bonnet  changed the starter and  a bit of the wires that go to it and never happend again

[djac]

Saw an episode of 'The Garage' where a beemer had been brought in after a fire in the engine compartment.

Turned out it was just this problem, the starter had jammed on the flywheel and turned into a large dynamo, causing the main wiring to melt and then catch fire! 

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Saw an episode of 'The Garage' where a beemer had been brought in after a fire in the engine compartment.

Turned out it was just this problem, the starter had jammed on the flywheel and turned into a large dynamo, causing the main wiring to melt and then catch fire! 

Yes, I thought that was possible

[bigegg]

If you're getting sparks when the engine ISN'T running.
Then you have a direct connection from live>earth across the starter.
which probably means you've let out the magic smoke from the windings, and they've all melted together.

Is the amount of sparks about what you'd get if you shorted across the battery terminals directly?

[Kevin Wood]

Sounds like the solenoid has jammed on to me. A sharp tap with a hammer might free it, although, if the smoke has escaped, it's probably best to just chop it in for a refurbed one.

Kevin

[david036]

This start problem really caused us some issues!!  Turned out started was *****d!!!!
Managed to fix that problem then the flywheel let go!!  Looks like somebody has fittted the wrong bell housing!!