Short...?

[MNE30]

Ok, so after some spirited driving (car was running excellent) I drove home, parked, and decided to wash my car.

I washed it for about an hour and when I was done and getting ready to move it I put the key in, turned it and got the usually hum and click from the solenoid, but when I turned it to the start position I got nothing. I got the usually clicking noise but no cranking at all. After letting it click for a little bit I noticed a strange smell and very small amounts of smoke coming from under the hood, so I popped it open and saw that a wire was glowing red hot as I turned the key to the on position.

The wire in question is directly behind the alternator and runs to the top of the oil pan, and has a small plug between the main loom under the intake manifold and the oil pan.

Does anyone know what is going on here and how to approach it? I'm terrible with electronics and wiring.

[jlevie]

It sounds like you are talking about the oil level sensor. The sensor could be shorted internally or the wires may have gotten chaffed and then shorted.

[MNE30]

It sounds like you are talking about the oil level sensor. The sensor could be shorted internally or the wires may have gotten chaffed and then shorted.

I fixed the short in the wire, wasn't too difficult just cleaned the grounds and connections and spliced in new wire.

Now the car won't fire, cranking and occasional firing but won't idle or stay on.

[ak-]

Get a picture so we know what you're talking about.
The car won't run and or run like complete crap if the oil pan ground wire is disconnected/loose.

[MNE30]

Get a picture so we know what you're talking about.
The car won't run and or run like complete crap if the oil pan ground wire is disconnected/loose.

I fixed the short, no more electrical fires.

This thing is going to be the death of me, every time I fix one thing another is broken within a day...

Crank no start right now, occasionally it will fire on a cylinder or two for a second but dies immediately.