BMW: bmw e30 320 no ignition, bmw e30, dash engine

Question
HI,WHEN TRYING TO START MY E30 YESTERDAY THERE WAS NO IGNITION LIGHTS ON THE DASH AT ALL SO I CHARGED THE BATTERY. WHEN I PUT IR BACK ON THERE WAS SPARKS AT THE TERMINALS AND STILL NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH,ENGINE WOULDNT TURN AND SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM ALTERNATOR.ANY IDEAS?? CHEERS,
DONALD MARTIN

Answer
Donald,
Something is shorting out.  If your alternator is smoking that's a bad sign.  I've only seen that happen when someone hooks the battery up wrong.  Recheck the battery to see that it's hooked up correctly.

 When you look at the battery the red wire should go to the "+" terminal, and black should go to the "-" terminal.  Double check the wires as well.  Follow the black wire, and make sure it connects to the body of the vehicle (its a ground wire).  The red cable should run uninterupted to the starter and other electronics.

 Good luck,
 Josh