Q: Several warning lights came on and the car is overheated, making a weird noise, and giving off a bad smell after being jump started.

asked by on October 13, 2016

It wouldn't start after I made a stop and shut it off. Battery, ABS, air bag and brake lit up on dash prior to stopping. Now ESC and ESC OFF are flashing, can't move shift from park, engine overheated and weird noise plus bad burning rubber smell

My car has 131000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

There are a few possibilities with the symptoms you are having. The most common with what you have described is you may have attached the jumper cables incorrectly. This could cause a number of issues including the symptoms you are having now. In some cases, it will short out the connections in the ECM, Another possibility is the timing belt could be broken or jumped timing. This would cause multiple lights to appear on the dash and vehicle to not run or not run correctly. If you need assistance, please feel free to set up an appointment with one of our mobile technicians who can come to your home in order to properly diagnose the warning lights and the other symptoms you’ve described to avoid any unnecessary repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Battery grounded power wire - 1980 Chevrolet C30
Your first starting effort probably created enough heat within the starter motor to melt the windings, shorting them. This just causes more power to be directed to an already hot starter motor. Kills the starter. Take it out and have...
Car will not shift and stalls - 2016 Subaru WRX
Hey there. Considering the burning smell, there may be a problem in the hydraulic circuit of the clutch system. A failing clutch master (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-master-cylinder-replacement) or slave cylinder (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/clutch-slave-cylinder-replacement) can cause the problems you are having. To have this diagnosed more...
Where is this leak coming from or what part do i need to fix it?
There are a few components that run to the rear of the vehicle in that location. There are heater and air conditioning pipes that run the system charge from the front of the vehicle to the rear if your vehicle...
My recently purchased used vehicle is now reading "Engine Power Reduced". What does this mean and what is the repair and costs? 2010 GMC Terrain
Hi - the "Reduced Engine Power (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/what-does-the-reduced-engine-power-warning-light-mean)" message is an "aggregate message", sort of like "Check Engine", which can be caused by both engine or transmission problems. Engine performance is cut back, in theory to avoid further damage. First task...
grinding noise under your right foot, because of wheel bearing bub?
Hi there. Usually this type of grinding noise as you've described is due to a wheel bearing that is failing. However, it can also be a warped rotor, damaged brake pads or a CV joint issue. It's probably best to...
I have code P0305 on it. Ive heard it's cylinder #5 misfiring but I don't know what the issue may be.
The code P0305 is indication that cylinder number 5 is not firing all the time. When you see the check engine light flashing then the cylinder is actively misfiring. You should have the spark plug and coil checked for problems...
Hi , my Acura TSX 2010 has 61000miles when do I have to change timing belt and water pump? Thanks
Hi there. Generally speaking, Acura recommends replacing the timing belt and water pump on their 2.4 liter four-cylinder engines at 80,000 miles. However, among the two, the water pump tends to wear out quicker and show signs of damage. If...
My 2006 dodge dakota has stared making a clunking or poping noise when i turn
If the rubber boot on the ball joint is torn, that boot, or the entire assembly, should be replaced promptly as the ball joint will deteriorate quickly if exposed to the elements, dirt, and so forth. You can schedule a...
Speedometer light does not work but all other dash lights do. The bulb is good
When you have cluster back exposed you need to recheck the bulb sockets and bulbs and test contacts for bulbs to make sure they get power and ground. The other lights and speedo and rpm gauges all use same circuit...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Realtor or Real Estate Agent
If If you make your living as a realtor or real estate agent, you may have a number of considerations when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle. The most common considerations are budget, ability to transport people, and comfort....
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Evaporative Emission Control Canister
Common signs include the Check Engine Light coming on, raw fuel smell coming from the back of the car, and a collapsed or leaking fuel tank.
How Long Does a Muffler Last?
A A car is a very complicated piece of machinery. In order for the car that you have to run as intended, all of its components will have to work as intended. Taking the time to have a car inspected...