explorer smoking and wont start

[mrowley1]

i have a 2001 explorer and it was running fine all day yesterday on my 11 hour drive(850 miles) but today after i drove for 8 hours(380 miles) i stopped to get gas and when i tried to start it up it wouldnt turn and smoke started coming out of the vents i need help please and soon

 

[jlsparky7]

Start with the basics. what are all of your fluid levels (oil, transmission, coolant)? When was the last time the oil was changed (was the oil filter changed as well?)? When was the last time you changed your fuel filter? Can you hear the fuel pump kick on when you turn the key forward (not to start)?

 

[mrowley1]

when i tried to crank it theres no noise nothing the smoke was white coming from the vents all the fluids are good i havent checked the fuel pump though and i just bought the vehicle so i dont know if the fuel filter was changed or not but i did get the oil changed on it a month ago

 

[KPT]

Are you sure it was smoke? Could have been steam if the heater core went. Was the engine overheating at all?

 

[my98nnj]

Does it smell like burning electrical?
Could be the starter, check the cables to the starter.
Check the starter for a short or open circuit.

 

[mrowley1]

it could have been steam. if so then how do i get to the heater core? and no it wasnt overheating at all. ill have to check the startr line to see of thata the problem. when i looked there was a hose that was torn, i dont know what it.goes.to yet.so ill have to look and see where it leads to.

 

[marragtop]

Start with basic electronics... like does anything electrical work? If the answer is yes, then see if you are getting power to the starter (use a test light/multi meter).

 

[mrowley1]

i fixed the problem thanks to all who helped it ended up being the starter. now i have another question while i was druving on the highway i would reach 70 and the whole car would start to shake real bad it doesnt need an allignment and the tires are all new so what could be the problem with it?