We decided to rearrange the car in the drive, put the parts car up front, etc.
79 doesn't start at all, battery is deader than dead. We decided to go ahead and try to jump just for giggles and the strangest thing happened.
We have the cables on the battery of the 79 and we let the battery charge a bit while we clear some snow so we can move cars.
We try to start it but nothing, some lights but nothing even close to turing over. No clicks, it's like the starter is broken. That dead.
Then I smell something like an electrical short. Tom opens the door to the car and there is smoke and the smell is really strong!
We decided to stop trying to jump it, I water down the engine (just in case) and we end up pushing it up the drive with the Yukon and an old tire.

So, what was the smoke? Why would the INSIDE of the car smoke while trying to jump it???????

Also, what wire would have a fuse on it AND be placed on the pos of the battery? The 79 has (had, came off) and the 81 has this. What is it? I've got pics if needed.
Thanks!

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Ginny in Denver-ish
78 300SD, 265K (mine)

Could be the constant power line to the radio or it might be a line to the blower fan in an attempt to circumvent a bad hvac ( CCU ) button box. The radio line or other hot wire might have been touching body metal and causing a short. Need to have someone inside next time to try and pinpoint this before it all catches fire!!

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

Oh, this will never happen again. It's moved to the last place it will sit.
Sad baby, hate to see a 116 go to parts, but it's what going to happen. We disconnected the battery so the short couldn't catch in the middle of the night. Never did start. We pushed the car into it's final resting place.

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Ginny in Denver-ish
78 300SD, 265K (mine)