What do you think is wrong with this '93 Ford Bronco?

Question

It's my boyfriend's Bronco. A few weeks ago it broke down. He had got $40 worth of gas and then was stopping at a different gas station to grab a bite to eat before work. When he was driving in the bronco gave out. It stopped mid-driving, it wasn't that he cut it off and it wouldn't start back. He had said that he thought he could jump it. So I took him to work and when I got off I drove over there and called my brothers to jump it for me. Before jumping it when you tried to start it the engine would just click...not a trying to turn click, but just a steady click, click, click. So we tried to jump it and right behind the battery started smoking. We stopped and got it towed from the gas station to our house. We haven't had the time to get it looked at yet, I know it's a little difficult to determine what's wrong based on my account of it...but any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I have to take off an hour of work every day to take him to work and I'm very anxious to get it running again.

Answer 1

I would say your most probable cause is a stripped battery wire. the rubber on the cable might have come loose, and when you start the car or move it, it causes a bit of vibration, making the bare wire hit the frame causing a short. (and some nice smoke). i would say check and replace(if needed) the battery cables, and the battery as well

Answer 2

is it possible that the jumper cables were hooked up backwards? if not then I would check the starter solenoid switch, located on the fender behind the battery, part numbe  F492 at www.autozone.com if it is bad it would click and possibly smoke. good luck, hope this helps... also if you  remove the solenoid and take it to the parts store they can probably test it for you.

Answer 3

It sounds like a short circuit.