Accidently turned ignition at wrong time...

[satek]

Hey guys,

I just got back from the dealership to have them do an oil change on my Highlander.

Problem is, I kind of turned the ignition several times thinking that my car was not turning on, but it was already on (I had the window down and I couldn't hear the engine). Should I be worried about any damage to the car?

[9volt]

Worst case is you broke one or more teeth on the starter or flywheel, but chances are nothing bad happened. If you did break a tooth you might find that sometimes you go to start the car and it starts funny or possibly the starter just spins and doesn't engage the flywheel.

You should be fine, just don't make a habit out of engaging the starter while it's running.

[jgayman]

I agree, you're probably fine. On my previous Highlander when I would take it for a car wash they would have you pull in and let the engine run. An attendant would then jump in and pull the car around to the wash entrance. Well, the HL idled very quietly so needless to say on more than one occasion the guy would hop in and turn the key only to get the familiar starter grinding sound. So I quickly adopted a policy of turning the engine off no matter where I took the car. Better to get a mean look for having stopped the engine than have them grind the starter.

Bottom line, odds are it didn't hurt anything.

[deadrx7conv]

No damage. If engine is running, starter won't even engage. Computer is in control and key just signals computer.

[becks]

Nothing to worry about. Enjoy your weekend.