white smoke from starter motor

[apples76]

Hi Guys
306 2.0 hdi 1999
I think this maybe terminal.. Starter motor made grinding/squealing  noise on start up then stopped drove about a mile and it came back... This is what followed.. Lights dimmed radio and electric windows failed,lights completely failed followed by power steering(pulled over) and lots of white stinky smoke from front of engine around starter motor... 
checked oil level fine oil cap fine no white gunk.. coolant level low was topped up last month never had a problem with coolant.Fuses fine. Tried to turn over lots of noise and friend said big sparks under car...

Any ideas guys??????

[welshpug]

alternator seized possibly

[apples76]

there has been a whining noise over the last week when accelerating.. but that dont account for the starter motor noise and stinky white smoke smells electrical/chemical

[Magenta Sunset]

alternator??

[apples76]

The white stinky smoke from arrowed area. Alternator over on the left side of engine

[Poodle]

The noise/sparks/smoke at start could be a shagged starter, but the rest of your description sounds like alternator. Maybe two issues.

[Uberderv]

Could it be starter failed causing direct short to earth? There is a cable from the alternator to the starter then up to the battery.

[Magenta Sunset]

The white stinky smoke from arrowed area. Alternator over on the left side of engine

not sure, but I think the starter is at the back of the block. Anyone confirm/correct this?

[welshpug]

nope, its on the front.

[Magenta Sunset]

nope, its on the front.

cheers

[Uberderv]

Any news?

[apples76]

not yet charged battery up, turned key lights windows and radio work until you fully turn key then its just a click and everything goes off and all dials sweep to full.
not been able to do much as dont really have a clue and non of the mobile mechanics will come look at it for a quote without a charge(being skint dont really want to pay somebody to tell me its scrap)

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any ideas on were i should start??...fuses ok battery charged

[Poodle]

Just start testing stuff - will it go with a bump start? If so - starter. What happens to battery voltage when you try to start? If it drops like a stone when you turn the key that points to starter too. Does the starter go if you short the terminals? (Make sure it's out of gear first).