What could cause a starter to smoke?

[Catch and Grease]

Went to go start my engine this morning and the starter was really weak, like it tried to turn but barely... Then I smelled something burning so I hurried and took the cover off and smoke was coming from the bottom of the starter! What could cause this? Its probably not fix-able right?

[tander]

I would check connections, that would make it smoke. Other than that, I don't have a clue.

[Catch 22]

How old is it. The brushes may be worn and arching instead of making a good contact. It may not be dead ,just in need of rebuild.

What model engine? I have a few good ones.

C22

But then  it could be this. Your smoke is escaping== lmao

Electrical Theory- A Treatise on the Importance of Smoke
by Joseph Lucas (Prince of darkness)

All electrical components and wiring harnesses depend on proper circuit functioning, which is the transmission of charged ions by retention of the visible spectral manifestation known as "smoke". Smoke is the thing that makes electrical circuits work. Don't be fooled by scientists and engineers talking about excited electrons and the like. Smoke is the key to all things electrical

We know this to be true because every time one lets the smoke out of an electrical circuit, it stops working. This can be verified repeatedly through empirical testing. For example, if one places a large copper bar across the terminals of a battery, prodigious quantities of smoke are liberated and the battery shortly ceases to function. In addition, if one observes smoke escaping from an electrical component such as a Lucas voltage regulator, it will also be observed that the component no longer functions.

The logic is elementary and inescapable! The function of the wiring harness is to conduct the smoke from one device to another. When the wiring harness springs a leak and lets all the smoke out of the system, nothing works right afterward.

theres more

Starter motors were considered unsuitable for British motorcycles for some time largely because they regularly released large quantities of smoke from the electrical system.

It has been reported that Lucas electrical components are possibly more prone to electrical leakage than their Bosch, Japanese or American counterparts. Experts point out that this is because Lucas is British, and all things British leak. British engines leak oil, British shock absorbers, hydraulic forks, and disk brake systems leak fluid, British tires leak air and British Intelligence leaks national defence secrets.

Therefore, it follows that British electrical systems must leak smoke. Once again, the logic is clear and inescapable.

Sometimes you may miss the component releasing the smoke that makes your electrical system function correctly, but if you sniff around you can often find the faulty component by the undeniable and telltale smoke smell. Sometimes this is a better indicator than standard electrical tests performed with a volt-ohm meter.

In conclusion, the basic concept of transmission of electrical energy in the form of smoke provides a clear and logical explanation of the mysteries of electrical components and why they fail.

"A gentleman does not motor about after dark." - Joseph Lucas, 1842-1903

[Nick B]

I had a starter burn up on me years ago, something in the coils burnt. I got it rebuilt, that saved me a good bit of money compared to buying a new one

 

[Smokinal]

A couple of things can cause that. Like mentioned above, burned out brushes will arc and cause smoke; if oil or other fluids have gotten in there, that could cause it; or, if the armature in the started has gotten warped over time, it will cause binding, therefore cause the starter to draw more amps and heat things inside the starter. Either way, it needs to be taken apart, find the issue, rebuild it; or just buy a new one...