Accidentally turn ignition when engine is running

[tenpercent]

Hi folks,

I have a 8th gen 2009 Honda Accord V6. I have had a couple of incidences that I forgot the engine was running because it was quite quiet when the engine was at idle and the turned the ignition key. As soon as I heard the cranking noise and knew the engine was actually running, I immediately released the key. I would like to ask you folks to see whether I have caused any damages to the starter motor and/or engine/transmission due to my stupid mistake.

Thanks,
Own 2 accords

[drowned12]

I can't imagine on a modern car that it's possible to do engine damage by making such a common mistake....ratchet gear to prevent the starter engaging the crankshaft?

[Pete240z]

Once or twice might not hurt. Worst case new starter and/or flywheel.

Just like at a restaurant when they drop a platter of plates - gets everyone to yell and scream WHOA! LOL.

[Aviography]

You will ALREADY have known if you've actually caused damages, just smile and keep on driving.

[fastball]

One feature GM makes standard on their cars now and I would like Honda to have is starter protection. When you turn the key on any GM car made in the last couple of years, it's completely computer controlled. It only turns the starter for the absolute minimum amount of time it takes for the engine to fire up. If you hold the key long, you will do absolutely no damage as the starter stops turning the second the engine is running, no matter if you're still holding the key or not.

And if you turn the key while the engine is running nothing happens!

[2010accordv6]

Originally Posted by fastball

One feature GM makes standard on their cars now and I would like Honda to have is starter protection. When you turn the key on any GM car made in the last couple of years, it's completely computer controlled. It only turns the starter for the absolute minimum amount of time it takes for the engine to fire up. If you hold the key long, you will do absolutely no damage as the starter stops turning the second the engine is running, no matter if you're still holding the key or not.

And if you turn the key while the engine is running nothing happens!

Being a gm you turn the key when its not running and nothing happens?

[ZeroTX]

Originally Posted by fastball

One feature GM makes standard on their cars now and I would like Honda to have is starter protection. When you turn the key on any GM car made in the last couple of years, it's completely computer controlled. It only turns the starter for the absolute minimum amount of time it takes for the engine to fire up. If you hold the key long, you will do absolutely no damage as the starter stops turning the second the engine is running, no matter if you're still holding the key or not.

And if you turn the key while the engine is running nothing happens!

Yep, my 2004 Chevy Colorado was like that. You just basically bump the key and it will start the truck, whether it takes 3 cranks or 10, it figures that part out. Also makes for flawless remote start.

[bc626]

I do that myself once in a while. You won't damage your engine unless you do it everytime you start the car.

[glen e]

I think we can agree if you do it more than once, you are an idiot. If so, then practice looking at your tach before turning the key.

[ZeroTX]

I have to admit that it's a little disappointing that the Honda electronics don't automatically prevent you from doing this.

[Bandigo]

Originally Posted by glen e

I think we can agree if you do it more than once, you are an idiot. If so, then practice looking at your tach before turning the key.

shit happens :]

[glen e]

Originally Posted by Bandigo

shit happens :]

Correct... Happens to idiots....

The key here is "more than once"....

[MacLeod]

That is weird that in this day and age you can still grind the starter like this. I did this a time or two on my old Ford Edge and if you turn the key with the engine running, nothing happens. I need a safety feature like that cause I have the attention span of a 4 year old and if anything distracts me after Ive cranked the engine, Ill likely try to crank it again.

[Bandigo]

Originally Posted by glen e

Correct... Happens to idiots....

The key here is "more than once"....

subtle.

[tenpercent]

It is not like that we do that on purpose. Over about three years of owning my car, I could remember I have done it twice partly because the car engine is quite quiet at idle and partly we could at times get distracted. Say for example, we start our car twice a day on average for 300 days per year on average. The percentage of that happening a couple of times over three years is about 0.1%. With that said, however, having it happen once is already one time too many and is bothersome especially for people who take good care of their cars. Certainly, it is always good that Honda can incorporate electronics in future models to prevent such an accidental ignition turning.

Own 2 accords