My 2001 Blazer LS 2 Door would not start this morning. When I turned the key, the dash lit up but it would not crank. However, it sounded as if something was running even after I removed the key. The sound lasted for a good minute or two and then stopped.

I got out and tapped on the starter while a friend jumped it and it started! As I was driving home, my entire dash lit up (air bag light, seat belt, check engine, everything) twice. When I pulled in my driveway, I could hear that same thing running even after I turned off the vehicle. Also, it looked like some smoke was coming from the starter area as well as a bad odor. Not sure what's going on, as the starter is very new!

Any thoughts? Thanks guys.

 

Based on what you're saying my vote is your ignition switch is failing. It sounds as if the section that makes contact in the "start" key position is migrating together (5 sections in there) and you saw the bulb check twice you normally receive when starting. If (probably) the starter is engaging with a running motor it's not so new anymore.

 

Yup, agreed sounds like a ignition switch.