lights flickering on and off and then lots of smoke!

[Widget]

oh dear :eek:
its me again!

well we replaced the fuel filter and it seemed to help the stuttering problem then this morning it went catastrohpically wrong. Van started fine but then the lights flickered on and off, drove it a few metre then there was smoke pouring out of the front of van :eek: and an awful burning smell. Then I stopped van and turned engine off and now it wont start at all.

All ideas/tissues/shoulders to cry on welcomed!

[muply]

You are lucky my Berlingo has not started yet this morning lol flatted battery trying to get it going

[Widget]

Oh dear!

[Landmark]

Hi Widget, When you say "the lights flickering on and off" which lights do you mean? Side/headlights or instument panel lights. Has something like a pulley seized causing friction on the fanbelt, hence smoke and smell? What could you see under the bonnet when it happened?
Are you sure it's smoke and not steam. If steam do you have fresh/sufficient antifreeze in?
Griff

[Widget]

Hi,
Sorry you can tell im not mechanically minded! It was the head lights that flickered the lights on the dash were fine. It was definately smoke accompanied by a burning smell. To be honest I didnt look under bonnet as was already late for work and it was dark so got a lift with OH. Going to have a look later and maybe ring AA. Fingers crossed my little bingo is fixable : (

[adam3rdcanvey]

Alternator malfunction would cause this. Sounds like an AA investigation job to me!

[Widget]

Thanks for all of your replies, it turned out to be the wire that connects the glow plugs that had rubbed on the side of the vehicle and shorted, thats why it wouldnt start again!

I now have a new issue - see my new thread!