The car is a 1987 Mustang GT Convertible, 5.0, auto trans, speed density, no electrical mods other than a headunit and XM tuner.

I let my car sit for a while as I was renovating my garage and went to start it the other day and found the battery to be dead. I go to jump the car off and get smoke coming from the positive terminal of the battery.

I pull the battery and give it a charge and hope its just a one-time thing (yes, I know smoke is bad).

After I get the battery back in, the car still won't start. I pull the key out of the ignition and then I hear the car trying to start with no key in it. The interior lights strobe a bit and the fuel pump comes on and the car acts like it wants to self-start a few more times. The parking lights were also flashing.

I feel like the wiring might have been attacked by a mouse/rat. My question here is where should I even start looking? I can't imagine how a rodent would have gained access to the interior with the windows up and doors closed.



Thank you for any feedback.

 

First spot I'd check is the ignition switch wiring + terminals, inside the steering column. Nothing you mentioned works without that switch, and its the first spot each of them get power.