Broken down in Boise, weird symptoms, need help.

Just broke down in Boise in my 97 2.7L Tacoma. Started the truck, then realized I needed to get out real quick, so I tried to turn it off. When I took the key out, the truck went from running to trying to start. As if it’s trying to turn over. This would happen even if I removed the key. Then when I turn the key to start it, it started back up. This happened several times, essentially the truck would not STOP.

So I decided my best option would be to just drive, so I drove about a half mile. Out of nowhere, the truck starts sputtering and smoke coming from the hood.

I pulled over, the truck sputtered and died to a complete stop.

I got it to see where all of the smoke was coming from, and it looks like it’s coming solely from the starter?? How could this be?

The starter looks like it is burnt to a crisp, black on the outside, and the plastic attachments have been melted off. What’s the issue here?

I just tried to start the car again, it makes a clicking noise and then a very long strange and loud noise in what seems like the transmission. Similar to small gears grinding. It’s hard to tell what is happening. Doesn’t sound good though.

 

Sounds like you had or have a short at the starter and burned it up. You need to replace the starter and take a look at the wiring running to it and find the short to fix it.

 

starter contacts/plunger got stuck, or electro-welded together,

then it never disengaged, so when you drove it, you really wound the shit out
of it (far exceeded the rpm's that starter could handle) then the starter seized and
your motor could not overcome the starter seizing, and coughed to a stop

need all new or reman starter

and hopefully the tranny flexplate (ring gear the starter engages) is OK
from all that crap. teeth may be missing and then it is not a simple repair


super easy fix just need to find new starter. Also ---test starter relay before trying it for real---, relay may also be kaput (sticky)

 

Auto or 5 speed?
How far are you from home?
If it's a 5 speed can you remove the starter & push start it to get it home?

 

That sucks. Starter is cooked as noted above. Cause for the failure is either short in the starter causing it to remain engaged & turning, or ignition switch failure leading to the same outcome.
Disconnect battery ground cable. Remove starter, inspect ring on flex plate/flywheel for tooth damage, inspect wiring for burns from heating up.
If wiring and teeth are good. Install replacement starter. Tap ground battery clamp to top of battery post. If starter doesnt turn, install clamp on battery. If start begins to turn, time to look at ignition switch.
Either way, starter is cooked and needs replacement.

 

@ausbran before you go this route, make sure you remove the ignition or EFI fuse, so it doesn't actually start on you by accident.

 

Your solenoid stuck. It happened to me with an '86 Jimmy I swear that thing acted like a ghost was trying to jack my truck-freaky to say the least.
Anyway, new starter will do it.

 

@ausbran this post has the info you need