lol, yah, the starter is going to have it's main dedicated positive, and sometimes everything else comes off that, but newer cars just have different runs, one solely for the starter, and current is only passed through it when you crank, otherwise there is nothing pulling off that run, so eveything else would work. i would bet that smell was coming from you trying to start it, and the solenoid was just pasing current without the comutator turning, some starters even complete the circuit through the comutator. either way, there was probably a build-up of arcing marks in the starter, and it only clears out and vents when it turns over, and into the flywheel housing, so you would get all the smell coming out when you start it. if you doubble checked all the connections, then i would just pay attention to it and watch your voltages for a week. it should go back to sounding/working normal when it cleans up with use. if not, then keep in mind you may need to replace it anytime in the next few months, so as not to get the supprise bill. and about the battery comment, most (normal) batteries will stand 13 full discharges just fine (without freezing, or electrolyte boil-off) before suffering performance loss.
