ok...so i thought i had turned off the car in the parking lot...since my car is very quiet...so i try turning on the car again while it's on...then i realize it's already on!...i freak out...how bad is this...

 

I've done it 2-3 times in my 89 Camry and once so far with my tC. It made a bad screech sound in my Camry but I didn't think much of it. Check the RPMs next time!

 

There is a gear that pops out of the starter that turns the engine to start the car. Most new cars should have a senser that tells the starter not to turn if the car is already on. I believe new Toyota's have them, I may be wrong...

The grinding noise is the gear in the engine that is already turning and the gear from the starter pops out and grinds agaist it.

 

thanks...but one question. How bad is this?

 

You're not the first to do this. Trust me. As long as you're not doing it daily, I wouldn't worry about it at all.

 

Yes, its bad for the car, but you'll have to do it ALOT to actually mess up the gears.

what he said.

 

ya, I have done it once. I know it sounds bad, but it shouldn't be a problem unless you make it an usual thing.

 

If you do it again, your car will explode.

 

the sound is your starter gear engaging your flywheel, once the car is started the flywheel continuously spins. when the starter gear hits it, it makes a noise because its grinding together. it isn't going to kill your car if it happens once or twice but try to avoid it as it is a bad thing.