Anyone ever not turn the key the right way like in a rush and the car goes "ehhhh" and then turns over. Like the noise when you turn the key when the car is already started ...What exactly is happening? Does this really hurt the starter? Sorry guys just getting all my old newbie questions out that never got answered

 

this will cause it to go if not already on it's way.

 

If your starter is making a grinding type noise, even quitely, get that shit checked out. Could rip some shit up in there if the gear is going bad.

 

One time will not do much damage.

 

Here is the reason for the noise.

Your flywheel (manual transmision) has a set of teeth on the outside that is used to start the car. Your starter has another gear with teeth that is alot smaller than the flywheel. This gear is recessed. When you turn your key to start the car, the small gear slides out of the starter and engages the teeth on the flywheel. Its designed so that no matter the orientation it will engage the flywheel in any possition, if its standing still. Once you let go of the key the small gear comes back from the flywheel into its housing. Why the sound? If you activate the starter when the engine is one the small gear tries to engage the flywheel but cant due to the high speed of the flywheel. The small gear then crashed into the flywheel teeth and you hear all the grinding. The teeth are designed to take some abuse but you never know what can happen. Hope this helps.

 

He has an automatic, just to let you know.