1999 Toyota Camry Logo
Nina Sunshyne Williams Posted on Nov 06, 2013
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Possible electrical problem?

While driving there was a slight rattling sound the all the interior lights when dim and the battery light came on as if the car cut off. I pulled over and parked as soon as i cut the car off big clouds of white smoke came from under the hood. when i popped the hood it smelt like burning plastic The smoke appeared to be coming from somehwere low kind of from the left of the battery but a little bit further back. I am unable to crank the car back up. when i turn the key nothing happens no noise no lights no anything. What could be wrong?

1 Answer

Hayward Cowan

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  • Expert 59 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 06, 2013
Hayward Cowan
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Joined: Jan 06, 2009
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Diagnosing something from a description is far from an exact science, but this is what it sounds like to me may have happened. If your battery was not tie down it could have gotten against something hot or moving (like a pulley), or what ever was rattling may have created a spark somehow and caused the battery to exploded, either way the battery fluid spashing onto hot metal could explain the cloud of white smoke, as you did not mention seeing any flames.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 19 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 10, 2009

SOURCE: 1994 Toyota Tercel Starter Problems

sounds to me that you have an igniton problem not a starter problem and or if you have or had an alarm system could be cause if u do give me feedback and i will explain but seems that your starter is fine from what u say but if you think in terms of the elemts to start a vehicle batery gives pwoer to ignition which sends to starter which gives spark etc i would check you ignition system something is causeing a short and not alowing starter to function

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Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Mar 08, 2009

SOURCE: tacoma won't start, or shift out of park.

Try putting foot on brake, or is key in ignition, also over-ride button by shifter. Auto's have safety micro switches in these places so not to have car in drive and start, "extremely dangerous" Try this first easily missed. lol

Anonymous

  • 1959 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 19, 2009

SOURCE: smells like burning oil, oil is running out under

Most likely cause is a leak in the valve cover gasket. Under pressue, a good sized leak will spurt and burn off on the manifuld, causing the smell of burning oil you're getting. This also would cause the presence of oil throughout the engine compartment. Best of luck on your problem.
Greg

Jonah Oneal

  • 14092 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 28, 2009

SOURCE: Toyota Corolla 1995 starting problem with loud noise

CHECK THE STARTER.MAKE SURE ITS NOT LOOSE.IF ALL IS GOOD.THEN THE STARTER COULD BE BAD.IT COULD HAVE WORN DRIVE GEARS OR THE FLYWHEEL COULD HAVE WORN OR BROKEN TEETH.IF YOU REMOVE STARTER TO CHECK IT AND FLY WHEEL MAKE SURE TURN OFF RADIO SO YOU WONT LOSE PLAYING CODE.WHEN YOU REMOVE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.

Boole5555

Chris Briggs

  • 160 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 05, 2010

SOURCE: Car wont start

Sounds like the starter solenoid, gave out.

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