Pushbutton start.....
 

Does anyone use them? I've always like the look/feel of the pushbutton starts (reminds me of sitting in a cardboard box "race car" when I was a kid with some old toggle switches and buttons stolen from dad's garage). They seem to be making a comeback in many street cars. I just installed the high torque starter from Pelican last week. Seems like all I'd need to do is take a line that's hot with the ignition on and route it through a pushbutton and on to the solenoid. The start function of the car seems to be routed through the DME right now. Am I going to cause any problems by doing it this way?

Thanks!

Had starter button in a '73 Bavaria (I kinda miss that car), and liked the feel too. I can't comment on the wiring though.

I installed a longacre push start button.

2 reasons. 1. The key switch will wear out sooner or later and it's often the start position that goes first. 2. I do a lot of track days and I have heard of people breaking off the key starting the engine after a spin with gloves on etc...

All I did was hook into the yellow start wire. Some folks add another relay but that really sounds like overkill to me.

new VW's come with a modern version of the pushbutton start...

Old news.. this was standard issue on many cars from the 50's & 60's..

My old 65 E-Type comes to mind..

I had a marine starter button on one of my 928s. Worked well, and saved me the cost of a new switch.

Oh yeah. It was installed in the lighter hole. Don't drill your dash if you can help it.

You mean like this on the SC, because the key start was getting hit or miss (and try living with "miss" when on the grid):

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275780739.jpg


Or this on the track only car. It had an ignition switch when I got it which worked fine, but I started wondering about what would happen if someone reached in and took it, just for grins:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275780861.jpg

It is an open car (no windshield or roof), so it would be easy to play such a prank. Plus I like having things simple and positive for track use.

this one is going in my car:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1275782772.jpg

Link:
Custom Cars Classic Hotrods Streetrods-Watsons StreetWorks

I use a momentary toggle switch with a relay. Yep. The external switch saves the crank position of the very expensive and in some cases, NLA ign. switch. The relay reduces voltage drop due to corrosion and long distance between switch and solenoid.

B.g. and project here:
Remote Starter

Sherwood

Shoot, my Dad's 1950 Chevy had a start button. From the factory. It was chrome.

I used your diagram it was very helpful. Thanks.

You have a point about voltage drop, I didn't think of that. However, I would suggest for many cars where the existing wiring is working just fine using a relay to power a solenoid is not absolutely necessary.

If you are having issues with low voltage at the solenoid then adding a relay would be an alternative to simply replacing the offending wires.