I engaged the starter while engine was running

I have been driving a truck for about 32 years and have only done this one other time. I was next to a loading dock and I was in the way of a truck making a delivery, so in my hast to give him room, I forgot I left my truck running. The only other time I have done this, there was a noticeable grinding sound when it tried to engage, but this time a could barely hear it try to engage. It did start on the first try after this happened and I don't notice any difference starting it.

Will I have problems with my starter in the future because it was engaged while running or will it shorten it's life? Would there be a way to tell if I damaged the starter?

 

Nah it's fine, I've done this a lot actually

 

Thanks for replying and it's good to know I'm not alone. I just pictured it not starting with the gears sheared off, kind of wish they had a way of not letting you engage it while running.

 

I've done it a few times. Maybe only once with this truck. Seems like you get a few free passes but don't let it be a habit...

 

You probably shaved off some metal from both contact surfaces, but don't worry about it.

 

Totaled, no fixing the entire truck.


Go with the above statements.....

 

The armature on the starter is actually the softer of the two. So if anything he just wore that down a little bit, but I've done it two or three times on this truck myself. All is well for him.

 

Ive done this once or twice with all my cars. The most memorable (cringe!)...In high school I had just finished smooth talking this girl, she was with all her friends, everyone was watching me. I go to back out and gloat in my awesomeness, turned the key to start the car and skreeeeeeeeee!

The only thing damaged that day was my ego.

 

Humor always helps, thanks

 

That's good to hear and I will try to think, even in hast.

 

hahaha the higher powers have interesting ways of messing with us dont they.

and OP. dont worry about it, it happens

 

Ive done it more than I wish. I was used to having a truck with a loud exhaust so when I got my second gen (stock exhaust) I would never know if it was on or not.

 

You mean the Starter Bendix Gear.

The Armature is inside of the Starter Motor.

 

Yes exactly. I was posting quickly before I had to get going to work.

 

You just had to be that technical guy, didn't you?....

 

Install a NC relay using the alt. output as the signal. Once the alt starts producing power, it opens the relay and kills power to the starter solenoid signal.

 

Yes, Actually I did.

My job depends on attention to details. There are a lots of people on this forum that do not know the difference between a spark plug and a drain plug, but they want to learn. They cannot learn properly unless we all use the correct terminology.

Does it bother you?

 

There are a lots of people on this forum that do not know the difference between a spark plug and a drain plug.

But my Toyota mechanic does. That's why he replaces all six of my drain plugs every 5000 miles whether I need it or not.......(He must know what he is doing since his house is a lot nicer than mine)

 

I have a remote starter and more often than I'd like I get in and mindlessly start the truck while it's on. Good to know there's a relay to fix stupid. Any links for how to do this mod?

 

I haven't done it on a tacoma or seen it done. But I have done it on other vehicles, usually when a buddy's kid just got their drivers license and had the habit of trying to start their vehicle twice.
With remote start, you should be able to wire it to kill the ignition when you press the brake. Just tap the brake every time before you put the key in.