Here are some possibilities:
* Transmission damage: This is the most likely culprit. Turning the engine off while in gear puts immense stress on the transmission. You could have damaged the transmission's internal components, potentially causing significant and expensive repairs or even a total transmission failure. You might experience unusual noises, difficulty shifting, or slipping gears.
* Starter damage: While less likely than transmission damage, the sudden stop while in gear could have overloaded the starter motor. It might be weak or intermittently failing.
* Other electrical issues: The forceful shutdown might have affected other electrical components in your vehicle's system.
* Park/Neutral switch problem: It's possible (though less probable given the severity of the situation) that the park/neutral switch is malfunctioning and wasn't properly registering that the car was in drive when you turned it off.
What you should do immediately:
1. Do NOT drive the car. Attempting to drive it could cause further, irreversible damage to the transmission.
2. Have it towed to a qualified mechanic. A professional diagnosis is essential to determine the extent of the damage. Ignoring this could lead to far more expensive repairs down the line.
3. Describe the situation precisely to the mechanic. Tell them exactly what happened – that you turned off the engine while the car was in drive.
Attempting to diagnose or fix this yourself is strongly discouraged. The potential for further damage and the complexity of the transmission system make professional assistance necessary. The cost of repairs will likely be much higher if you continue to drive the vehicle.
