DIY: Push Button Start
 

Everyone envies the person with the push button start. Perhaps it's that cool cat with the S2000 or the fuel miser with the hybrid, but they envy is still there. With this write up I intend to show everyone how easy it is to add this to your own vehicle. This was done using CRX wiring, but with a simple check of wiring this can be duplicated for almost any vehicle. If you do this don't forget to send me a picture of you setup!

Purpose: There's the bling factor of having a push button start (especially if you use the s2000 "engine start" button, the anti-theft factor if you wish to hide the button, and the convenience factor of having the button near the shifter if you are using it during engine off coasting.

Time: 1 hour

Tools:
- Soldering Iron
- Wire Stripper/Crimper
- Screw Driver

Supplies:
- 1 SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) Relay - 3.99 at my parts store
- Some female quick connect ends - 2.99 at the parts store
- Wire
- Solder
- The button!

Check out this schematic and look at your SPDT relay, pretty simple. Figure out which wires are which and wire the stuff up. I labeled this with the colors that are actually used in my CRX. This write up is applicable to almost any car, but you'll need to figure out which wires are which if you want to do this to another car. Pretty simple. Most people use the S2000 start button, but you can use any button that is normally open and only connects when pressed.
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxm...uttonstart.jpg

And here's a picture of the S2000 button, just for reference:
http://www.burtmanindustries.com/s20...tart_close.jpg

Wire the stuff in there not too prettily just to make sure it works. Here's mine half done:
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00066.JPG

Another shot with indications and all that on it.
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00068.JPG

Get your button and figure out how to mount it. I am going the way of small button skirted by washer and then mounted in my cigarette lighter hole. Here's the washer pre mounting and painting. I hot glued and burnt myself quite a bit, be careful.
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00069.JPG

I put this little cone over the button to paint the washer.
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00071.JPG

Painted shots, looks decent to me:
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00076.JPG

Wrap your crippled, burning hand in wet stuff:
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00077.JPG

Mount up the button itself into the center console part.
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00078.JPG

Finished the install with the new button, check it out:
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00079.JPG
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00080.JPG

Here's a final shot having actually put the interior back in my car:
http://crxmpg.com/edrive-images-crxmpg-com/DSC00095.JPG

I'm very happy with it, piece of cake, as well.

so how do you go around your steering lock with no key?

^^ You still need the key -- but the button makes restarting a button push :)

True enough! I mainly did it for the bling factor, even though I didn't end up shelling out for a prius/s2000 pushbutton.

Must subscribe, I keep losing this thread and forgetting about it.

It's not that hard to just do and be done with, :)

SVO, if you want extra ecomodder bling factor, put a normally closed push button in series with your ignition line. Push that and your car shuts off, push the other one and it start up again.

good thread

is it possible to repost the pics again?

So how does the button change the actual operation of starting the engine? Is it on-off or do you still use the key for that?

This is new to me and I'm not sure I understand how you wired it up. Is it just for activating the starter?

You turn the key to the "on" position then push the button instead of turning the key one notch farther to the "start" position.

I will try to find the pictures somewhere, they spent a good deal of time bouncing around too many servers. :p

I really like this concept. I want to know more.

Hmm, now if you can convert this engine start button to an injector kill button, I would be interested.

Leave it labled start and you still have the bling factor but instead end up with a more usefull button.

what I want is the wireless enable. IE an RFID dongle so once your "in" the car the RFID dongle in your pocket or around your neck would "enable" the car then you just push to start.

the key would bypass all this so if you let someone else drive you don't have to give them your dongle.

Go one step further and have the RFID unlock certain functions/settings, something like a valet key. Without the RFID the start/kill switches (and any other ecomodder gizmos) would not work, so only the ignition could be used. And maybe the max speed could be limited?

that would take a rocker switch. for the sake of things. push left for the kill switch and then push right for the starter.

Nah, I would just need it to kill the engine not start it, we were only going for looks anyway, its not like it would actually need to start since I wouldn't use that feature.

I know this is an old post but do you still have the pictures? all the links are broken :(

My 37 Ford had a push button starter. I used it to prelube the engine before turning the ignition on. Best for a car that sits for weeks at a time. It also had a steering column lock.

Factory built.

regards
Mech

I feel like engine start buttons aren't really good for this, but how about a race-car style toggle switch for the injectors instead of the fuel pump? :D Even more bling!
Chrome Red Toggle Switch Cover Guard

Yeah trying to hook this up in my KIA