Right ive got a 1.9 diesel scudo van,and earlier the starter engaged without any key or anything(it was just parked up) it was in gear and started to leap forward then it stopped an smoke came from the bonnet!The smoke was caused by the earth from the battery to gear box melting,as it was shorting out(on the body)...would his cause the starter to engage?

Or it could of been shorting on the positive terminal of the battery...im not sure

Anyways ive replaced the earth cable but now i think the batterey's flat...or do i have another problem! Ive never known anything like this!

Please help i need to get is sorted!

 

Oh yes i think its done this before,my Missus said she heard it turn over the other day when it was on the drive...but i thought she was just hearing stuff!

 

I'm no expert but I don't see that it could short circuit by the earth strap touching the body - both bits should be common earth. Sounds more like there is something feeding power to the starter.

Scary that it is possible all the same.

 

Is very scary,luckily no one was parked in front of it! Also none of the other wires are damaged! just the earth!

 

Its possible, thats the starter has gone tits up inside, and the earth wire has melting because of the heat build up, think about it, you only normally use the starter for a brieft moment.

 

I'd change the starter mate!!