12 replies to this topic

[Down&Out]

Hello all,

After reading all the threads i could find on this subject, i am still mystified.

Ive got a twin terminal button ready and waiting, just need to know what to do. Im still interested in keeping the ignition key, i'd just like a push button as well, similar concept to old jags and that.

I'd like it in simple terms, i.e. take the such and such wire etc etc.

Many thanks,

D&O

[tiger99]

Permanently live feed (brown) from starter solenoid to one side of the button. Other side of the button to the terminal on the solenoid where the white/red wire currently is. That is all. If you leave the existing white/red in place, you can start with the key as well as the button.

But for safety I would add an in-line fuse in the new brown feed, close to where you pick it up at the solenoid, to protect against your new wiring shorting somewhere.

Wire thickness to be same as the existing white/red wire, fuse if used to be 10 amps, and if you stick to the same colours it will be easy to follow if it ever needs to be fixed.

You may want to think about adding another button, connected to the same two points, under the bonnet for turning the engine over during maintenance. Starter solenoids used to have a button on the end for that purpose, but it went in a cost-saving attempt many years ago.

[lrostoke]

You don't say what year. What Tiger says is correct except on later models the white/red wire doesn't go direct to the solenoid, it feeds a relay first.

Probably easier to find the white/red on the steering column and splice into that cable with the feed from the button that way it will power the relay or the solenoid which ever system is used.
The other thing is if you use the Brown as the feed for the button, then it will have a perminant live feed and you will be able to spin the starter without the ignition switch on.
If you only wan't the button to be live when the ignition is on you would need a feed off the white wires.

One thing I can see though is if the key is also still able to spin the starter, Then you may find out of habit just turning the key to start which makes the button pointless.
If you want to disable the key from turning the starter then cut the white/red on the column, the half that goes towards the key tape up. The half that goes to the loom attach to your push button.

[Down&Out]

I apologise, should have been more specific, although it was late.

Its for a 1977 mk4, and what i wanted was for the key to turn the ignition on, but not start it, and to use the button to start it, if you see what i mean.

Still a bit lost, the idea behind keeping the key rather than just fitting some switches like ive seen some people do, is security purposes. I dont want to be able to spin the starter without the ignition on, thats for sure

[lrostoke]

OK real easy

Look at the steering column find the multiplug with the white/red wire , brown wire, white wire in it.

Cut the white/red wire, the end that goes to the ignition key tape that up. The other end attach to your push button.

The white wire splice into that and run it to your push button.

Use the same gauge of cable your are joining onto.

this will give you push button start , will disenage the starting off the key, but the key will be needed to send power to the push button and the rest of the car.

Shouldn't need any seperate fuses because all you are doing is replacing the key switching of the starter with a button using the exisiting loom mostly.

Edited by lrostoke, 22 March 2012 - 09:38 AM.

[Masoa010]

you want it as a sort of novelty, so you can still use the ignition as normal but a have a switch to use aswell? Ive wanted to do this to so im trying to understand as well ha

[lrostoke]

 push button.JPG   16.79K   138 downloads

see if this helps, ignore the colours read the labels :) , I just chose colours that stand out :)

[1275GTS]

I did this a while back when my ignition switch broke and you couldn't buy new switches. I cut all the wires to the ignition switch and worked out the sequence of the turns the key did and the circiuts they turned on. I then wired up 2 switches to turn the circuits on and then wired a push button to start the car. The only thing the key does now is unlock the steering column. I have also wired in an immobiliser so the car cannot be started. It sounds more complicated than it is.
i used this diagram to help me work out what circiuts are activated by each turn of the switch. Please make sure you use the correct gauge of wire to avoid any electrical fires.

[tiger99]

Interesting. I was assumimg everyone would want the button to be independent of the ignition switch as it was on many old cars, including the early Minis with the floor mounted button. But fashions seem to have changed. It is just personal preference, both ways are technically correct, and legal.

I don't know if anyone here will remember the Ford Pop E93A, with the pull starter knob, rather like a choke control, or the Bedford CA van, with the black bakelite button on the dashboard. The Bedford must have had a solenoid, because it was a very lightweight button, but the Ford was purely mechanical, and if you did not pull it hard and quick enough, you ended up having to file the contacts where they were burned. It was a 6 volt system, so the current was about twice what we are used to.

I hear that some so-called supercars ("super" price but I hear interesting tales of build quality!) have gone back to the seperate button.

Talking of which, does anyone remember the staring handle conversion which was available for early Minis? I have no idea how many were sold, but it used a normal starting dog, replacing the crankshaft pulley bolt, with a bracket on the edge of the wheel arch to locate the handle. I would imagine it needed one slat cut out of the inner wing vent area, and the steering on full lock, but even so, I can't quite picture how it actually fitted and worked. But it would be a great accessory for anyone with an early Mini.

[Spitz]

What sort of button are you usinf and where will it mount?
Pictures please

[Down&Out]

OK real easy Look at the steering column find the multiplug with the white/red wire , brown wire, white wire in it. Cut the white/red wire, the end that goes to the ignition key tape that up. The other end attach to your push button. The white wire splice into that and run it to your push button. Use the same gauge of cable your are joining onto. this will give you push button start , will disenage the starting off the key, but the key will be needed to send power to the push button and the rest of the car. Shouldn't need any seperate fuses because all you are doing is replacing the key switching of the starter with a button using the exisiting loom mostly.

Ah brilliant! this is bang on what i was after. Super thanks to you for putting it into simple terms and the diagram will help too.

Interesting. I was assumimg everyone would want the button to be independent of the ignition switch as it was on many old cars, including the early Minis with the floor mounted button. But fashions seem to have changed. It is just personal preference, both ways are technically correct, and legal. I don't know if anyone here will remember the Ford Pop E93A, with the pull starter knob, rather like a choke control, or the Bedford CA van, with the black bakelite button on the dashboard. The Bedford must have had a solenoid, because it was a very lightweight button, but the Ford was purely mechanical, and if you did not pull it hard and quick enough, you ended up having to file the contacts where they were burned. It was a 6 volt system, so the current was about twice what we are used to. I hear that some so-called supercars ("super" price but I hear interesting tales of build quality!) have gone back to the seperate button. Talking of which, does anyone remember the staring handle conversion which was available for early Minis? I have no idea how many were sold, but it used a normal starting dog, replacing the crankshaft pulley bolt, with a bracket on the edge of the wheel arch to locate the handle. I would imagine it needed one slat cut out of the inner wing vent area, and the steering on full lock, but even so, I can't quite picture how it actually fitted and worked. But it would be a great accessory for anyone with an early Mini.

What im trying to pull off is similar to that of original early minis, jags etc. I.e. you turn the ignition on at the key, then start it with the button. My dad had an e - type 2+2 with a starter button which is probably where i get my inspiration from. All this would be doing is removing the 'turn to make' so to speak, and replacing it with a button!

[Cooperman]

I have a push-button in my rally Mini as I can't easily reach the key when strapped in. It is a Mk.1 with a centre mounted switch/key. All I did was run a lead from the back of the ignition switch where the wires go to the 'IGN' powered services and run that to one side of the push button, then remove the wire from the starter switch to the starter solenoid and connect that to the other terminal on the push button so that it runs from push-button to starter solenoid.

Edited by Cooperman, 22 March 2012 - 10:50 PM.

[Cunnymonster]

I just fitted mine thanks to this thread :) thanks guyssss