Like the title says, out of nowhere my engine decided it did not want to start and when I do try and start it, one of my batteries smokes. Obviously I didn't want to let it try and turn over for a lengthy time because of the smoke. Before this is fired up perfectly.

Does anyone have any clue as to where I should start looking for the problem?

 

Cables, connections and the starter itself.

You may also want to perform a load test on the battery with a battery tester if you can find one.

Cables can corrode inside the insulation, and especially at any junction with a connecter.

 

Sounds like a dead short while cranking to me. Look at starter and solenoid.

 

X2 on that last line for sure.

Very true. They can look fine and have all kinds of corrosion in there on the copper.

 

Thanks for the input. I'll go check it out soon.

 

Granted everything is rusty as hell, the connections seem okay. Is anything supposed to go on the empty post in the front? I did have one loose wire near everything.

 

Well I replaced all the connectors and cleaned the hell out of everything. I guess this story has a happy ending.

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With all that rust I'm surprised that the solenoid was still grounded.
For that matter If (when) you have other electrical problems on that vehicle always check your grounds.

 

Starting "Operation Destroy All Rust" in the morning.