Just last night, on the way to a friends, car started smoking from under hood, headlights went out (parking lightswand dash lights still worked) , and there was a weird smell present. For the last few days, car has sounded weak at start up and a few times, we thought it wouldn't start at all.

We just got our old battery replaced but it was with another used battery from a local shop(lucky there is a warranty). Since getting this battery, have had to jump our car three times in the last month.

Does the issue of no headlights, smoke, and the smell sound like it's related to the battery being bad or is this problem a result of something else, like an electrical problem or (god forbid) the alternator?

Our car is a '93 Volvo 240 sedan

Hope someone may be able to shed some light on the problem, ty

 

So when you stopped and opened the hood where was the smoke coming from.

 

[QUOTE=jagtoes;447995]So when you stopped and opened the hood where was the smoke coming from.[/QUOTout.

The smoke was not coming out anymore after we stopped the car. My other half was driving and said it seemed to have been coming from under the hood, but I don't think that was an 100% sure assessment. I didn't see the smoke because.I didn't have my glasses on and he pulled over immediately after noticing the headlights going out and the smoke coming out. So, it seems to have been a temporary burst of smoke.

 

Update: car won't start at all now...

 

and you expect us to perform magic and tell you to replace part 3241321321 and poof it will be perfect again?

it sounds like you had a major wiring meltdown. first step should be a thorough visual inspection of the key wiring, followed by some basic volt meter tests.

 

Probably electrical, though