Engine shut off while driving and will not start, check engine, oil and battery lights turned on

2014 KIA OPTIMA
91,400 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BMW816
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Checked the oil and it was low. Grabbed a couple of quarts and it was then at a good level. Tried starting the car and nothing. The car has power, but I only hear a quick clunking sound, like one click and nothing else. A friend showed up and we tried jumping the battery. We saw sparking and smoke coming from the starter. Any ideas??
Dec 10, 2021 at 8:03 AM
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AL514
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Hello, this sounds like an interesting situation considering the vehicle is not that old. Have you actually checked down at the starter motor connections to see if something may have shorted out or are there any melted wires down there? And how low on oil was the car? If you had to put 2+ quarts in the vehicle that's a big concern. Are there any obvious leaks you can, see? I'm going to post the starter circuit wiring diagrams in a minute as well.
In the third diagram, I'd like you to check that Start Fuse (7.5amp) too.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-car-battery

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester
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Dec 10, 2021 at 11:52 AM
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BMW816
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I'll have to check the wires when I can, but no leaks that I saw.
Dec 10, 2021 at 11:55 AM
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BMW816
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My friend said he hopes I didn't seize the engine being low on oil, but I never felt anything or heard anything. And two quarts put it way up on the district. So, I don't think that's the case.
Dec 10, 2021 at 11:57 AM
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BMW816
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Dipstick*
Dec 10, 2021 at 11:57 AM
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AL514
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It is concerning though, being that this is a 2.4liter engine, it probably only takes 4.5 quarts and being halfway low on oil with no leaks at all is a major concern.
I'd recommend attempting to rotate the engine over by hand, with a socket and large bar on the crankshaft bolt. This is the way to assure its not seized up, which it may be.
I worked for Kia and these engines are semi fragile, running on two quarts of oil could have caused major damage, but I really hope it did not. The oil light did not come on before any of this happened.
Dec 10, 2021 at 11:59 AM
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BMW816
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No it didn't. It came on along with the check engine and battery light all at the same time when the engine shut off.
Dec 10, 2021 at 12:20 PM
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BMW816
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I don't know if this helps, but as you might know it's a push start. And when I tried to push the brake to restart it after the incident, the brake pedal was very resistant to push.
Dec 10, 2021 at 12:22 PM
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AL514
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I would definitely recommend trying to turn the engine over by hand at this point, if the oil pump failed or anything like that and you start the engine, it will destroy the engine without oil pressure.
Dec 10, 2021 at 12:23 PM