Automobile starter lockout

car starter is disabled while the engine is running. Why haven't they done this. Am I the only idiot that occasionally (maybe a dozen times in my 70 years) turns the key in my ultra quiet running auto?

They do make cars like that, but you could always do a add on with a vacuum switch to the starter solenoid (NC).

Jamie.

you car starter is disabled while the engine is running. Why haven't they done this. Am I the only idiot that occasionally (maybe a dozen times in my 70 years) turns the key in my ultra quiet running auto?

Vacuum switch, no that is truly clever! Thanks. Ivan Vegvary

Just buy an Australian made Commodore (GMs 6 cylynder). lol

car starter is disabled while the engine is running. Why haven't they done this. Am I the only idiot that occasionally (maybe a dozen times in my 70 years) turns the key in my ultra quiet running auto?

Or a relay driven from a signal from the oil pressure lamp. If you tap the circuit at the lamp, it will provide a 'high' to drive a suitable transistor or fet controlling the relay when the motor is running

Count one more idiot here. I consider myself to be a careful, methodical type. But I still do it, especially when I'm distracted - at roughly the same frequency as you.

starter is disabled while the engine is running. Why haven't they done this. Am I the only idiot that occasionally (maybe a dozen times in my 70 years) turns the key in my ultra quiet running auto?

Good point.

It is such a simple thing. My BMW MC had a starter interlock that wouldn't allow it to start unless the engine wasn't turning and it wasn't in gear.

But that wouldn't work so well because you can create oil pressure before it starts or if for some reason you are having first crank starting issues. This is especially true in the winter if your oil is thick when cold. If you don't get it right on the first crank, you'll need to wait for the pressure to drop..

Jamie

hmm, yeah, wire relay to disable the cutout in parallel with the starter relay. perhap also use a different measure (tacho or altenator aux output)

Well I guess I have to admit it is the use I have with a diesel motor. The motor is running for several seconds before the pressure is high enough to turn off the lamp in any weather ( Of course here in God's country we don't get freezing etc ) :-) .

starter is disabled while the engine is running. Why haven't they done this. Am I the only idiot that occasionally (maybe a dozen times in my 70 years) turns the key in my ultra quiet running auto?

Most of the cars I have driven have a mechanical interlock in the ignition lock. Once you have activated the starter, you must turn the key completely to "off" before you can try to start again.

car starter is disabled while the engine is running. Why haven't they done this. Am I the only idiot that occasionally (maybe a dozen times in my 70 years) turns the key in my ultra quiet running auto?

It's dangerous as hell, too. Once my engine would, occasionally, just shut off (took months to find the intermittent flywheel sensor). To restart one had to turn it to the OFF position, which also locks the steering. Together they are a *BAD* idea.

I was wondering whether car alternators still had a charge warning tag.

You'd need a delay before a valid signal locked out the solenoid to ensure a good start.

OTOH; with older motorcycles I sometimes give the starter button a jab while running to clean the starter commutator - can delay the dreaded stripdown for cleaning.

On most motorcycles; the solenoid is interlocked with the neutral light - if its in gear, the solenoid wont operate unless the clutch lever is pulled.

Some models also have a cutout switch on the sidestand - lots of fun when the switch gets full of road grime and becomes intermittent.

BMW used a relay that energized when the alternator began supplying power as well as the neutral switch..

There's various schemes - I've seen a Honda with a collection of diodes forming a rudimentary logic gate.

The operator's manual very explicitly states that you must not turn the key off while the car is moving.

Also, many cars don't engage the steering lock until you pull the key completely out of the lock.

Another interesting feature is that the steering lock does not engage until the steering wheel has been turned a considerable amount off center:

Was so in the "golden" days, I'm not sure about all cars now. My 2005 Q45 doesn't require any significant movement.

But my beloved 1961 Renault Dauphine... I used to park it on the yellow "end zones" in the giant parking lot at Motorola SPD on 52nd St.

Then the guards would tow it to the "south 40".

So I would turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and lock it ;-)

Guards would try to tow it and could only run it in circles.

They finally gave up on me and gave me a card for the executive parking lot >:-} ...Jim Thompson

I really don't give a crap what the manual states. It's *DUMB*.

Most do.

So you'd better be on a straight road? BTW, that's a dumb idea, too. The wheels should be straight when parked (it's hard on the power steering pump to leave them at an angle).

Huh? Power steering is a hydraulic servo, at _any_ non-movement position the piston is bypassed.

Ever rebuilt one? I have ;-)

I've heard that some new "power-assisted" steering is electric, but I've not see one. ...Jim Thompson