So I have decided that I should install a push start ignition in my Fiero, its my little treat to me since I got her to pass inspection. I researched the idea and have seen that the implementation should be simple, my question is, has anyone else tried this before?
I couldn't find anyone that has thus far that has listed the task and the final troubles\resolutions for each. Checking into the parts, EBay has the best prices http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymot...tZRaceQ5fCarQ5fParts
At 30 dollars, its not a bad cost compared to the 100s and 70s I originally was seeing.
So that is where I intend to start. I have an empty panel to the right of my steering wheel which I plan to mount the button. Hopefully, as is my normal disclaimer, nothing blows up :-)
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05:59 PM
PFF
System Bot
Rafe Zetter Member
Posts: 277 From: Staffordshire, Great Britain Registered: Dec 2008
$25 looks a bit expensive to me, even here in ripoff UK I can get a suitable button for a lot less than that, and at the end of the day thats all it is a 'push to make' 12v 18amp button.... Hell I can send you a stainless steal vandalproof push button for half that or alternatively look here for the exact same button at £7.50 http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/...--pbsweng-1423-p.asp
Having a push button starter is a lot of fun. I have two mounted in the trunk area so that I can start the engine from the back end when I want to tune or whatever. In my current installation, when I installed the LT1 V8 and the 4T60 into my 88 GT, I simply added an additional wire to the starter terminal on the starter. Generally it is where the heavy purple wire is attached via a spade connector. I ran my spare wire up to the trunk area and tied it into a relay. I wired the relay to a cheap push button on a small panel. When I push the button, I close the circuit and the relay flows 12 VDC to the starter circuit.
Think of how the remote starter button from Wal Mart or Mac Tools or wherever works. You hook one side to the positive side of a battery and the other end to the starter solenoid start circuit (spade fitting with the purple wire) . Then when you push the button and complete the circuit, 12 VDC engergizes the starter circuit and the solenoid takes over. It does not take a button that can handle a heavy current flow. In fact, I use arcade game buttons that I got from ebay years ago. I have had this type of starter function available in the trunk area since my very first Fiero, in 1985. It really is handy and it looks trick when showing off the engine, to just be able to hit the button and fire it up. I do have mine set so that I have to have the key in the on position.
If you have a manual transmission, it would also be a good idea to lead the ground wire of the relay coil to the parking brake switch, or clutch switch. That way when you push the button providing power to the relay coil, the car won't start unless the parking brake is on, or the clutch depressed, since the coil's ground path will be interupted. This is especially important if you go with a remote starter in the trunk like tvelarde. If you don't wire in this safety circuit, then one day you could find yourself pressing the starter button in the trunk and having your car roll forward... at a show... where's there's lots of people... in front of your car. Again, this applies to manual cars only.
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09:12 PM
Aug 26th, 2009
americasfuture2k Member
Posts: 7131 From: Edmond, Oklahoma Registered: Jan 2006
One thing to consider is that there are two types of pushbutton starters. The first and most common is the kind that simply engages the starter for the time the button is pressed. The second type that's on new cars uses a start sensor, and when you mash the button, even if you let off of it, the starter remains engaged until the engine starts. I've been trying to decide which way to go when I do mine. I really like the second type, but the only way I could think of doing it was to integrate a remote start system, and cannibalize one of the remotes and install the components in the car as the start button. Obviously there's a power issue to the remote, but that's a pretty simple matter I think.
If you have a manual transmission, it would also be a good idea to lead the ground wire of the relay coil to the parking brake switch, or clutch switch. That way when you push the button providing power to the relay coil, the car won't start unless the parking brake is on, or the clutch depressed, since the coils ground path will be interrupted. This is especially important if you go with a remote starter in the trunk like tvelarde. If you don't wire in this safety circuit, then one day you could find yourself pressing the starter button in the trunk and having your car roll forward... at a show... where's there's lots of people... in front of your car. Again, this applies to manual cars only.
Actually it applies to automatics as well. when you bypass the Neutral safety switch the car will start in gear.
..oh, and I don't know about all cars with the button, but in our '09 Mini, the start button is a Start/Stop button. You can't remove the key without mashing the button to kill the engine.
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11:41 AM
whodeanie Member
Posts: 3819 From: woodstock,Ga.,USA Registered: Jan 2008
$25 looks a bit expensive to me, even here in ripoff UK I can get a suitable button for a lot less than that, and at the end of the day thats all it is a 'push to make' 12v 18amp button.... Hell I can send you a stainless steal vandalproof push button for half that or alternatively look here for the exact same button at £7.50 http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/...--pbsweng-1423-p.asp
One thing to consider is that there are two types of pushbutton starters. The first and most common is the kind that simply engages the starter for the time the button is pressed. The second type that's on new cars uses a start sensor, and when you mash the button, even if you let off of it, the starter remains engaged until the engine starts. I've been trying to decide which way to go when I do mine. I really like the second type, but the only way I could think of doing it was to integrate a remote start system, and cannibalize one of the remotes and install the components in the car as the start button. Obviously there's a power issue to the remote, but that's a pretty simple matter I think.
FYI, most of the remote starters that I've installed include a wire that will activate the "Start" sequence when you ground / +12v it. I've used that before. BUT, if you use that or the cannibalized remote, the engine will shut off when you press the brake, unless you disable the brake-off switch, in which case it will run until the timer runs out, which could be while driving... You'd need to start it, then put in + turn the key to "ON" before driving. Which kind of defeats the point of a "START" button. LOL Same with the other ones where you need to put in and turn the key then hit the "START" button. Looks nice, but what does it really do for ya?
A series of relays (similar to what's in a remote starter) could be engaged by the "START" button to turn on the IGN then start the car with no keys. But then you run into security issues..... Goes on and on... Now if you install an RFID reader near the gas pedal, and a matching RFID tag in your shoe so it starts when your foot hits the pedal........... Someone would have to know to steal your shoes to steal your car.
Whoops... Forgot about the "key needs to be in to turn the steering wheel" part..... Guess that'll have to be disabled too.... I once drove down to my buddy's to swap my Fiero for my beater Corsica for the week, and forgot the Corsica keys... "No problem", I've installed bunches of remote starts, I can hotwire this thing... That part was easy. Then I realized I couldn't turn the steering wheel. LOL Took an hour and a hammer / locking pliers to rip apart the column to get around that.
[This message has been edited by Riceburner98 (edited 08-26-2009).]
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07:36 PM
greasemonke50613 Member
Posts: 1005 From: Cedar Falls, Iowa, US Registered: Mar 2009
did this on my 86. had a toggle switch on the dash for the ignition and a push button on the underside of the steering column cover for starter. i left my keys in Viroqua Wisconsin, found out when i got 3 hours away into Dike Iowa to drop off the work truck and head home...my boss helped me with the column lock, and i did the toggle switch/push button when i got home after stopping @ advance auto for less than $20 in components and a strand of 10 ga wire
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09:06 PM
Rallaster Member
Posts: 9105 From: Indy southside, IN Registered: Jul 2009
I have a push button start on my '86 coupe and I love it! Just bypassed the start wire from the starter switch to the button, but the key still needs to be on run to be able to get the engine to start. BUT, me and Small town fool went through 3 12V buttons before we figured out that the starter solenoid draws too much power for most start buttons, so me and Small town fool added an after market starter solenoid from a Ford Ranger. The button energizes the solenoid which supplies the power to the stock solenoid/starter. It works, and it's a blast, especially since it's hidden... :evilchortle:
FYI, most of the remote starters that I've installed include a wire that will activate the "Start" sequence when you ground / +12v it. I've used that before. BUT, if you use that or the cannibalized remote, the engine will shut off when you press the brake, unless you disable the brake-off switch, in which case it will run until the timer runs out, which could be while driving... You'd need to start it, then put in + turn the key to "ON" before driving. Which kind of defeats the point of a "START" button. LOL Same with the other ones where you need to put in and turn the key then hit the "START" button. Looks nice, but what does it really do for ya?
A series of relays (similar to what's in a remote starter) could be engaged by the "START" button to turn on the IGN then start the car with no keys. But then you run into security issues..... Goes on and on... Now if you install an RFID reader near the gas pedal, and a matching RFID tag in your shoe so it starts when your foot hits the pedal........... Someone would have to know to steal your shoes to steal your car.
Whoops... Forgot about the "key needs to be in to turn the steering wheel" part..... Guess that'll have to be disabled too.... I once drove down to my buddy's to swap my Fiero for my beater Corsica for the week, and forgot the Corsica keys... "No problem", I've installed bunches of remote starts, I can hotwire this thing... That part was easy. Then I realized I couldn't turn the steering wheel. LOL Took an hour and a hammer / locking pliers to rip apart the column to get around that.
I have a pretty nice 2 way system, I'll have to see if it has that single wire feature, I don't remember it, but I wasn't really looking at the time.
Interesting you mentioned the RFID, as I recently ordered one for just this purpose, as well as for door unlocking. As for the steering wheel lock, I had already pretty much resigned myself to removing that, it would have to be done anyway if I relocate the starter switch, unless I can devise a cable release, but I don't see myself being that committed to that feature. If everything else I'm doing doesn't discourage any would-be thieves, I doubt that the column lock would be the thing to stop them.
Push button start has been on my lists of things I really wanna add to my fiero since I first got it. The toggle for ignition/button for start sounds like a cool idea, then move the key somewhere else and confuse everyone(if you keep the key)
I have a 2006 GP 3800SC motor install in a 87. I have two ignition switches, The regular switch on the column control all the fiero inside electric. I have another mounted by the left ashtray that starts the motor with a chip-key from Pontiac. With this kind of setup can a push button switch be installed?
thats cool.
Are you a supporter of Ralph Nader?
Someone would have to know to steal your shoes to steal your car. 
