Did I do something bad? Knocked key into "Start" position while driving
 

Keeping a long story short, while driving accidentally pushed the key into the "Start position" (the position furtherest clockwise, like cranking to start the car) while driving. My 12V accessories like dashcam, phone charger, and headunit rebooted. Didin't hear any nasty noises or anything. Could there have been any damage? what are the consequences of this?

Couldn't find anything in the manual, trying to learn. Thank you in advance.

Just don't do that no more - :slap:

Well, that won't be the first time someone has tried to "start" a car that is already running.

Back in the day, about the worst thing that would happen is that one would have ground a little metal off the starter gear and flywheel. Comments from bystanders might have been "grind me off a pound".

If your car's starter works fine after that, I wouldn't worry about it. If it don't, you might have to have the starter replaced.

In cars back in the day, when you turned the key, you actually engaged the starter. In modern computerized cars, all you do is ask the computer to please start the car. Computer knows the car is already started... No damage.

No noise, car started right up without issues. Definitely not a habit.
Nice to see that you're still around on the forums OG. :respekt:

Thank you for the information!!! learning as I go.

I was scared of the flywheel and starter the most. But this is a good explanation of why I didn't hear any noise or experience RPM fluctuation. only my accessories restarted, dash was still illuminated and uninterrupted.

Good information.

Answer me this about new cars. mrs humfrz's new vehicle (Honda CR-V) has a start button. Now, it also has this pesty feature that shuts the engine down when idling then starts back up when you hit the gas.

Now, while the engine is in this "rest" mode, what would happen if one would hit the start button again?

Asking for her, since she won't let me drive her new car - :(

TIA

I have no idea. I've never had a car with the start/stop "feature".

Can't speak for the CRV, but in the RAV4 if you hit the start/stop button again, it will shut the car off (or into accessory mode) but tell you to put it in park. Just try it when you are pulled off to the side of the road and see what it does.

You may be able to go into the CRV's settings and turn off start/stop altogether if you really don't like it. Barring that, just quickly releasing and then stepping on the brake usually gets the engine to fire up and it typically won't kick off again for a few minutes.

Thanks for the info.

If mrs humfrz catches me punching ANY buttons on HER new vehicle, I'll have hell to pay - :eyebulge:

Yep, the CR-V has a button on the consol that will disable the start/stop feature. However, it resets to default when the engine is shut down. I reach over and punch it when she ain't looken - :D

Keep in mind too, the starter won't engage unless the clutch is pushed in. the safety switch saved you.

Sometimes, just for fun, I push my wife's buttons.

Today I learned that some Twins have keys.. I was thinking it was fobs for all...

Yep, only a key here, no button.

How about cars that have both key and button!?

I do that sometimes, just looking for the "mute" button. Besides, there ain't nutten dirty with the flannel shirt I'm wearing, just because it has a little oatmeal dribbled on it.. :iono:

Car's a writeoff. Don't listen to these guys, it's a safety hazard. Drop the vehicle off at your local recycler.

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Yep, had that arrangement on my Caterham.. a bit stupid mind you..

Wasn't your Exige same? Mine is.... turn key on, press start button. Silly.

Yes, the Exige had a key and fob.. My Caterham had a key and a push button on the dash.

Back in the good ole days.... FYI: The button on the left is your dimmer switch.

Yep, turn the key to "on" and push in on the starter pedal. Pushing in the clutch was optional - :eyebulge:

If it was momentarily I don't think you could have caused an issue.

Way back in 1981 I was taking delivery of a brand spanking new Prelude and had my sisters boyfriend at the time tag along, he wanted to check out the new car...

I had just sold my tired 1977 CiViC with a few miles on it a few weeks before.
The idle by then was la bit lumpy & between the loose tach cable or gear would show a 200+- rpm variance at idle that I got used to.

After the Salesman did the walk around & familiarization of the controls he left & my friend got in and I looked around and clutched taking the parking brake off and automatically engaged the starter as it was way too quiet, it had been idling for the past 10 minutes... I felt quite sick hearing the starter engaging.

The car survived the idiot move that time...
2 years later I managed to roll it a few times in a ditch far from home on a rainy morning, that it did not survive!

So let me guess, you had an S1 Exige without a start button.

I had a very early series 2, don't recall a button.. key and fob..

Well, on a really cold day, in a vehicle with a 6 volt system, you had to push the clutch in or you might not get it started. That 90 weight lube in the transmission didn't want to move.

Fer sure, fer sure ..... ;)

NOW ...... you tell me - :sigh: