Two weeks ago at a stoplight, my car started idling very rough, and stuttered badly upon acceleration (misfiring?). Black smoke was coming from the tailpipes, and once I turned the car off, it took 5 long cranks to get it started again. I left the car alone and was gone on a trip until today. The battery went completely dead while I was away, so I tried jumpstarting it, but there wasn't enough juice to get the starter turning quickly. I noticed the battery was leaking, so I replaced it with an optima yellow top. The starter cranked quickly (normal) for a couple seconds, then a LOUD grinding sound followed. Now when I turn the key, all I get is the grinding immediately. I'm waiting until tomorrow morning to tow the car to a shop, and I'm not gonna touch anything. In your opinion, what could be the problem(s) with my car? I'll repost the actual diagnosis in the next few days.

 

For now, busted starter housing?

 

any other guesses?

 

the above, busted flywheel or starter teeth. And if its not that then you have a partially engaging starter solenoid.

 

Thanks for the resposnes. Any ideas on the misfiring and black smoke?

 

I'd get that Opti checked out . . . start with plugs, then wires, then wires coming from the battery. Since you said your old battery went under, maybe you have a short somewhere. Could be a $5 problem, or a $500 problem . . .