560sl won't start, Help!
 

Hey all.
A few days ago I was on my way home around 11pm, and my car began to jerk and the lights began to flash on and off.
I freaked out and pulled over on the shoulder.
As I sat in my car in a daze, smoke began to form under my hood, next thing I know the inside of my car is smoking too.

After the smoked died down I attempted to start the car again.
The engine seemed fine.
Nothing happened when I turned my key in the ignition.
I had to get it towed back to my drive-way and I'm beginning to think if I should just sell the car.

Anyone know what might have happened?
I assume it was a wiring situation? but i could be wrong.

I changed the spark plugs a few weeks ago and even got an oil change, I have no idea what happened that night..

Well the first thing to do is look under the hood for burnt wiring. Especially look on the right side inner fender just foward of the mono valve. There is a large main wire comming in from the battery going to a large plastic junction block with a plastic flip up cover. Make sure everything is in tack in this area. If not you must find out why, before proceeding.

John Roncallo

lights flashing and smoke....never good.
Agree that you need to check for burned wires and evidence of electrical arcs.........
That is a pretty big problem......I would start with the battery cable coming in from the trunk.......and follow around - anything with the draman mentioned would have to be a pretty big short.

Shouldn't be to hard to find
 

But it might be a pretty big repair. I would suspect it burned the wiring right to the back of the ignition switch. The wiring should show burn marks and blistering, could also be very melted.