Is Secondary Ignition Harmful to the Car?

[LeCaden]

Secondary ignition after the car has started can cause significant harm to the vehicle, potentially damaging the starter gear or burning out the starter. Below are specific details regarding secondary ignition in cars: 1. Symptoms: The most obvious sign of secondary ignition is hearing an abnormal "grinding" noise from the engine area. This noise is produced by the starter gear clashing with the flywheel. The flywheel rotates at a much higher speed when the engine is running, far exceeding the starter's speed. Due to this significant speed difference, the starter's drive gear does not re-engage with the flywheel teeth during secondary ignition, thus preventing the starter from being damaged. 2. Hazards: Issues such as starter slippage, severe wear of the starter drive gear, and burnout of the starter coil are directly related to secondary ignition. Additionally, secondary ignition can also cause some wear to the teeth on the flywheel.

[LaEmilio]

Having worked in an auto repair shop for over a decade, I've seen many car owners damage their starters due to second attempts at ignition. The truth is, after the first failed ignition attempt, the engine flywheel is still spinning. If you immediately try to start the engine again, the starter's drive gear will clunk against the flywheel gear—the sound is downright painful to hear. Doing this frequently can easily chip the gear teeth, cutting the starter's lifespan in half. If you hear a clicking noise during ignition, stop immediately—that's the sound of the gears clashing. I always advise car owners to wait 10 seconds before trying again, allowing the flywheel to come to a complete stop. By the way, a weak battery is the most common cause of failed ignition attempts. Remember to check your battery voltage every six months and don't wait until it's completely dead to replace it. Developing proper ignition habits will make your car much more reliable in the long run.

[SanLevi]

Last time my car wouldn't start in sub-zero temperatures, and in desperation I turned the key twice in quick succession. The starter just made a horrible grinding noise. The mechanic later told me this can damage the starter's drive gear. I've learned my lesson now - if it doesn't start on the first try, I wait seven or eight seconds to let the engine flywheel come to a complete stop before trying again. Here's a pro tip: if your battery voltage drops below 12 volts, there won't be enough starting power, so it's best to test your battery capacity before winter. I now regularly check for oxidation on battery terminals and loose wiring connections. Developing this habit of waiting between starting attempts can save you a lot on repair bills.

[MacRuby]

From a mechanical principle perspective, secondary ignition causes the most damage to the starting mechanism. When the first ignition attempt fails, the flywheel ring gear is still rotating due to inertia. Forcibly engaging the drive gear at this moment generates severe impact. The gear surfaces are prone to fracture and deformation, and prolonged exposure to this condition can even lead to bending of the starter motor shaft. Test data shows that a single meshing impact exceeds 50 kilograms. The solution is simple: pause for 5-8 seconds after a failed ignition before restarting. Additionally, maintaining battery health is crucial—replace it promptly when voltage drops below 11V. During regular maintenance, don't forget to inspect the starter's mounting bolts.