Brendan Hughes

Old cars used to have a push-button engine start. I believe Honda S2000s have this as well.

Old diesel cars used to have an engine stop (fuel cut-off) separate from the key. Modern ones don't have this, it's somehow linked to the ignition key so you can treat it like a petrol engine.

Dad's damaged his finger and says turning the ignition key and holding it was too much for him. I said he'd have to fix a lever on the key, he joked "yes, or get a button start".

Given the above, is there any reason why a modern diesel car can't have a push-button engine start?

grpbrallyfan

iTrader: (1)

Should'nt be, My uncles 2006 RAV4 XT5 has a start/stop button, then again it has that keyless entry and no key malarky.

Shark Man

No issue at all, all you need to do is re wire the cranking output on the back of the ignition switch to a push switch (heavy duty 20-30amps at least ).

Still need to turn the ignition key to turn off the engine and turn on the acessories.

Other alternative which is common for people with arthritus is to bolt a large fabricated plastic handle to the key to get more leverage. Just becareful to ensure that when its drilled that the key does not contain a immobilser chip (most modern cars do) which my get damaged, or it is drilled so that this is not damaged.

gingerboy

New shape passat's have a push key that starts and stops the engine.

i.e. you insert the whole key into a slot in the dash, depress it and hey presto away she rattles so I can't see any reason why you can't rig something up as mentioned above.

Regards

GB

MarkWRX

Renaults Meganes/Lagunas use a key card with a push button to start as well......

Jeff Wiltshire

New Honda Civic's have a button to start, including the 2.2 turbo diesel.

Diablo

Brendan, my 120D has a push button start. All 1 series do.

billythekid

Not wanting to sound off but if he is struggling to start the car due to his injury maybe he should not be driving? If he had an accident it could go against him.

Brendan Hughes

Thanks everyone, looks like I should go back to reading my newspaper (headline "England Wins World Cup!")

billy, not off, he shaved half a square inch off the outside of his right forefinger tip, ie exactly that part that you press against the bottom of the key when turning it! I've no doubt ins co will be notified etc, he's not like that

billythekid

Sounds nasty! But hopefully he will be back to full use of his finger soon.

FWIW you can get aftermarket "push to start" kits, or you could build your own for very little cost.

CrisPDuk

My XR4x4 has a push button start done that way, using a Telemechanique pusbutton & contactor ordered 'extra' when we built some big panels for a power station upgrade a few years ago.

Saves the bother of keep having to replace them stupid Ford hexagonal keys when they start rotating in the handle

Looks too

RON

Seen this...??... not allowed to link, but the item no is
110014048860

dsmith

Even my 1973 MG managed to work out that routing starter motor current through the ignition switch was "a bad thing" and uses a solenoid/relay to switch the cranking current.

I doubt very many cars have 20-30 amps anywhere near the ignition switch

RRH

BMW have given us a new 320D whilst the wifes car is in for warranty work, and that has push button start; you don't have to hold the button down until it starts, just press and release- is this the normal way with push starts?

Shark Man

Don't be so sure, the solonoid on the starter on most cars is are still wired directly to the starter switch, these do pull about 20amps - just look at the thickness of the wire on the back of the switch next time you have a steering colum cowl off (usually 5mm guage)

The last thing you want is to wire that to a cheapy switch from Maplin. Where the contacts will weld together from the arc - with interesting conseqences.

hail-hail

Just pull some wires out from under the dash, touch them together and the car will start, just like they do on the telly