i have a viper 791 2-way remote start system. i was putting my car into a mode where you can leave it running but take the key out and lock the car. i have done it many times before and it was never a problem. a second ago, i did it and the starter activated while the car was started. it sounded like the starter was working against the engine for a second or two. i turned the car off and started it with just the key this time and the engine turned over fine. i tried to do the let the car take over mode again and everything worked fine. how likely is it that any damage was caused to the starter or engine?

 

Don't worry about it chief nothing more than small metal shavings. Won't hurt your car engine one bit.

 

As long as it doesn't happen repeatedly you should be all right. You definitely want to get the system straightened out so it doesn't occur again. If it happens several times it is possible to grind enough of the teeth off the starter drive and/or the flywheel that you will have to replace one or the other, or if you're really unlucky, both.