Starter replaced two months ago now will not and starter is smoking

ALLISA856

MEMBER
2003 NISSAN XTERRA
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
210,000 MILES

I just had a starter replaces about two months ago. Today when I tried to start it all it would do was click once then nothing. Put a jump box on and nothing the battery is fairly new. So as I continued to try and get it to turn over a lot of smoke came rolling from under the hood. The starter is smoking bad. What would cause this? The solenoid is clicking on I can hear it but it won't turn over at all.

3 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Hi Allisa,

If the starter is smoking unfortunately, that means the motor has failed. More than likely the motor got hot and it shorted internally. As long as the motor can turn over and is not seized which sounds like it is not, then the starter just failed.

Unfortunately, it does happen. It is rare that new parts fail but it happens enough that I don't over think it anymore. If the part failed, it failed. I would replace the starter (should have a part warranty if it was purchased new) and then test your voltage going to the starter just to make sure it is around 12 volts. If so, then the starter was just an inferior product.

Let me know if you need more info. Thanks