Does this cause any significant damage?

[Kangaaz]

Has anyone accidentally turned the ignition switch while the car is already on? Sounds silly but the new car was running so quietly and it was parked and forgot it was on. Obviously the starter made a churning noise.

Only done it once, does it do any great damage/permanent damage to the car?

[shadou]

no, if you keep doing it you'll root your starter motor teeth, but once is fine as long as it wasn't for a stupidly long duration.

[dsp26]

^^^or chip the flywheel

[shadou]

either way is good =p