Jul 10 2008
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.
And here’s a picture of the S2000 button, just for reference:
Wire the stuff in there not too prettily just to make sure it works. Here’s mine half done:
Another shot with indications and all that on it.
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.
I put this little cone over the button to paint the washer.
Painted shots, looks decent to me:
Wrap your crippled, burning hand in wet stuff:
Mount up the button itself into the center console part.
Finished the install with the new button, check it out:
Here’s a final shot having actually put the interior back in my car:
I’m very happy with it, piece of cake, as well.
Hey, sorry about your hand, but the finished product looks pretty nice. I was wondering earlier when you said that “any button that is normally open and only connects when pressed.” I’ve got a momentary-on button that I’m looking to try out for this sort of thing, but it’s only rated at 50mA @ 24VDC.
Now, I know the voltage side is handle-able, but I’m a little worried about the amperage side. I don’t feel like spending 20-30 bucks for nothing, much less starting an electrical fire in my car.
How far are you willing to stand behind your “any button” statement? Do you have the rating of the button you used?
Thanks for your time, your injury, and your final product!
I honestly couldn’t tell you. I’m just using a little dinky thing I found in my high school physic teacher’s room. It does the job. If you want to sign up on ecomodder.com and ask though, you’d get a more intelligent answer,
Benjamin
Practically any button. The amount of power traveling through the momentary switch is only enough to throw the relay. I don’t have any automotive relays on hand, but think of a little electro magnet. Can’t possibly be more than a few hundred milli-amps.
Check the relays coil rating. They usually have part #’s you can google for datasheets that will tell you exactly what they draw.
Practically no any button will not work, only those rated for 12v and possibly as much as 100 amps. i used a “ignited” engine start button that costs $50 off of ebay and is rated to start motors. Mine works quite well and looks much better than “any button” outside of the one i have and an s2000
I wanted to comment and thank the author, good stuff
man your relay was cheap. mine was like $11. i just got done and i have to say i like it alot.
P.s. If you are worried about what button to use just get a starter button from an auto parts store they are for the most part under 10 bucks unless you get a fancy one