2008 Accord 4 cylinder, automatic. Original owner 170k, excellent running condition. Just passed smog with great numbers.

Ran an errand and on the way home, radio shutoff, then A/C fan shut off. About 10 seconds later, engine shut off, coast to a stop. Have dash lights etc., ignition switch goes to ‘ON’, but won’t start, (don’t even get a click or turnover) in N or P.

Have a strong burned electric smell. My first thought is alternator failed and battery ran down. Open the hood and smoke is coming up from the driver’s side front of engine from the area of the starter. Have it towed home.

Next AM, I check the (2 yr. old) battery = 12.4 volts. Try to jump start = no starter click or turnover. Under hood fuses all look good. Tediously examine all the wiring harnesses and confirm no obvious damage/rat chews.

I’m leaning away from the alternator because the battery is not discharged. If the alternator was bad, the starter should still crank with a jump? Would have to remove alternator to bench test it.

I replaced the starter about 3 years/20k miles ago (not fun). I’m thinking maybe the starter melted down but looking for some advice before I tear into it. Can a starter melt down on its own or could a bad starter relay in the under-dash fuse panel or a bad ignition switch locking open have caused the starter to melt down? I don't want to swap in a new starter just to have it also meltdown because of another bad component.

 

Smoke from the starter means that the starter bendix didn't disengage or the solenoid somehow shorted inside. My 05 TSX has a similar engine as your 08. I was able to replace the starter by just removing the upper part of the intake manifold.

 

Thank you! Though I'm not sure if the starter 1) melted down on it's own or 2) melted down because the starter relay or ignition switch froze open, sending continuous voltage to the starter.
I'm going to pull the starter. Before I swap in a new starter I think I'll have someone turn the key to start then turn the ignition back to ON (run), while I have my voltmeter connected to the starter wire. This should tell me whether or not the ignition switch or starter relay are correctly releasing voltage to the starter after the start process. If it's not releasing voltage then I know what smoked the starter and I have other parts to replace. I don't want to replace the starter just to have it get smoked again.
Does this process sound good?

 

It sounds like a good plan.

 

Got the new starter swapped in and all is well! Before I hooked up the wires to the starter, I clipped on my voltmeter lead then turned the ignition to 'start' which revealed 12.2 volts going to the starter. When I released the ignition back to 'ON' the voltage dropped to zero. So, the ignition switch and starter relay appear to be operating ok.
BTW, I watched a Youtube video as guidance before wrenching. I was able to skip removing the battery and skip removal of the air duct behind the radiator and still had plenty of room to access the starter. Tip: pull the old starter, then remove the battery cable from it. Attach the battery cable to the new starter then slide the starter in place and bolt it in. This will save you work/time removing/installing the cable while the starter is mounted to the engine!