[Useraccount007]

I have a 5 Speed, 6 Cylinder Camaro that will not start at all. Originally it came with some problems I could handle; every time I tried taking it off first gear it would jerk a lot (like it didn't want to move forward). and it would turn off constantly leaving me on the side of the road, and in order for it to start again I would have to move around some wires behind the ignition wires on top of the engine. I was told I could fix the jerking by changing the ignition wires, so I did, and I made sure to pull them out and replacing them 1 by 1 and I also made sure that they clicked in correctly (even the ones at the bottom of the engine which was almost an impossible task to do). I even got a new battery in it. but when I try and turn it on, all I hear is a thump like sound. It looks like its goanna turn on because all the sensors begin to move and the dashboard light up, but all I hear is the thump sound. One last thing I think you should know, before I began to change the ignition wires, I tried turning on the car with the new battery, and I heard the same thump and smoke began to come out from the section behind the ignition wires.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Everett#2390]

Welcome to the Club, Luis.
Reads like you may have two problems.
Too small of cables - cannot handle the current demand and insulation melts.
The other is the starter motor may need replacing. The thump you hear may be the starter engaging the flywheel to spin the engine, but the starter cannot handle the load, therefore, the starter is stalled, more commonly called locked rotor, and during this time of being engaged and not spinning, the current demand is at the maximum amount, usually 250-300 amps - a lot of heat is generated.
First replace both battery cables, the whole cable. Measure the length of the present cables, then go buy a pair of the same length or the next longer length. Make sure they are at a minimum 1 GA cable, read the package they come in. Wire brush the surface the cable touches.
During the time of replacing the cables, externally charge the battery, and/or let it charge overnight.
If changing cables and charging the battery does not fix it, then exchange the starter.
Once started, then check the voltmeter ensuring the alternator is recharging the battery. A properly charged battery will help the situation.