on the starter assembly u should see a plate with 3 bolts holding it there is a washer copper or brass in there try pulling it out and cleaning it with sandpaper i did it to my truck when it was clicking and it worked havnt had a prob yet and its been a year. to all do that before spending money on a new starter those old starters hardly ever quit
those 3 cables are the same on all vehicles, one coming from the alternator, one going to the starter, and the last going to the fuse box.
The battery has gone "flat" and doesn't have enough voltage to activate the solenoid/starter relay and spin the starter, hence the single click and no spinning of the starter. Try charging the battery.
The starter.
I am not completely sure on why you battery in your Mustang would be smoking only when connected to the starter. I would take into a shop and have them look at it.
The wire that goes to the starter button can be connected to the power wire coming from the battery. Just tough the wire quickly. If the solenoid engages the starter, then it is ok. If not, then there is either no power from the battery of the solenoid is bad.
your starter is pulling too much energy from your battery. Either the battery is too small or your starter needs attention.
Its one of the wires coming off the positive (+) terminal of the battery. Don't burn yourself on the exhaust manifold
It can be a dead battery, or a bad starter, the click sound you hear is from the starter relay mounted on the inner fender near the battery, use a test lite and make sure power is coming out of the relay and going to the starter, always replace both the starter and relay if either is found to be bad
Little box just above the battery area on the engin bay wall with wires coming out of it.
check your positive on your battery. verify if no power is coming from the battery OR from the ignition. hard to answer without knowing if the problem is coming from battery or ignition. look for burnt wires going to the solenoid. hope you get a more precise answer. good luck. it could be worse!
Look for a loose or corroded battery cable. If the cables are ok at the battery, check the connection at the starter and at the starter solenoid. Otherwise, the solenoid may need to be replaced.
If the 2000 Cavalier has no lights an will not start, there is an electrical issue. Check the battery, alternator, and the wiring from the battery all the way to the starter to find the problem.