Something burning - help

This is what happened last night. I parked the car and get a coffee, turned the ignition, everything off, and I heard something was still turning. First I thought it was the fan, but the fan wasn’t on. I tried to start again, it couldn’t start just click. So, I lift up the hood, I heard the spinning noise but not sure where it came from, and I started to see some smoke came from the top of the engine and smell something burning. After around 5 mins, it shut off. It starts again after that.

What would you guys think the problem be?
What component would still running when the ignition is off?

Could be over heating, sometimes the boiling water/antifreeze sounds kind of like a motor or a rumbling type noise, that might explain why it wouldn’t start as the engine may have been too hot.

Unless you have replaced the original fan with an electric one the fan would not run after the engine is off.

I hope this helps.

PS. someone will be asking you to post in the new users section, You might want to do that before someone posts something nasty. Just a heads-up. -Welcome, though.

I ran the car for just around 10 mins, will it cause overheating?
Would it possible be the starter motor?

If the car was sitting for more than an hour before you drove it, then no, 10 minutes would not typically cause overheating unless you were driving at redline for 10 min. straight.

I guess it could be your starter, but you probably would have heard it running the whole time you were driving it. Check to see that none if the wires going to it are burned through and possibly hitting the exhaust.

I think its your starter burning.
Ive been in a 91 240, his car was running fine, he stopped for coffee.
Smelt something as well.
Once we left and started to drive, about 5 min after we were on the road and smoke was coming out from under the hood.
We pulled over and saw his starter on fire… Then put it out and rolled to car to Canadian Tire and put a new one in, in the parking lot…

I’ve checked today, the starter motor looks pretty new. I would guess the starter solenoid cause the problem. Does anybody has the part for sale?