Gauging interest- Full PNP push button start
10-06-2010, 12:29 AM
#1
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Incline Village, NV
Posts: 2,034
Total Cats: 5
Gauging interest- Full PNP push button start
A buddy of mine who helped me BIG TIME going through my wiring harness has asked me to post this, and because I know how particular he is about everything he does that i know this idea will be built with quality and customer satisfaction.
PNP Start button harness
So having a start button, let's be frank, makes starting your car pretty damn satisfying. The biggest hurdle is you always have to do some wiring modifications to the ignition harness. Depending on your outlook this can be no problem or it may provide some slight trepidation all the way to completely ruling out the project.
Having done a *bit* of Miata re-wiring I thought, "Hey why not come up with a PNP start button re-wiring solution?"
What this would be is a little harness which would go in between the ignition keyswitch and the stock harness. No splicing necessary, all connectors would mate with to the OEM. It would also include a relay to ensure for proper switching when you crank the engine (accessory circuits turn off.)
The benefit to how I plan to build it is that it would still allow you the security of requiring the key to turn the cars power on, you just now have proper start button to kick it all off AND be full reversible at any time.
So the grand question: Anyone interested?
Currently we have only really worked with NA's so this would be for those but I'm not ruling out the possibility of making them for NB or C if the demand grows.
We are thinking the price would be somewhere around the ballpark of ~$75 shipped in the US. We can and would also be able to get rid of the key entirely and wire a switch and push button in as desired. The wires will likely be built to reach the farthest point on the radio shroud and can be trimmed/extended as need be.
So for a future customer one will unplug this:
Plug our harness in, plug the other side back into the ignition (where you just unplugged) turn the key to on and push the button on the other end of our harness and your car will start.
For anyone who hasn't see this, some of our wiring work is shown in a little video I made.
PNP Start button harness
So having a start button, let's be frank, makes starting your car pretty damn satisfying. The biggest hurdle is you always have to do some wiring modifications to the ignition harness. Depending on your outlook this can be no problem or it may provide some slight trepidation all the way to completely ruling out the project.
Having done a *bit* of Miata re-wiring I thought, "Hey why not come up with a PNP start button re-wiring solution?"
What this would be is a little harness which would go in between the ignition keyswitch and the stock harness. No splicing necessary, all connectors would mate with to the OEM. It would also include a relay to ensure for proper switching when you crank the engine (accessory circuits turn off.)
The benefit to how I plan to build it is that it would still allow you the security of requiring the key to turn the cars power on, you just now have proper start button to kick it all off AND be full reversible at any time.
So the grand question: Anyone interested?
Currently we have only really worked with NA's so this would be for those but I'm not ruling out the possibility of making them for NB or C if the demand grows.
We are thinking the price would be somewhere around the ballpark of ~$75 shipped in the US. We can and would also be able to get rid of the key entirely and wire a switch and push button in as desired. The wires will likely be built to reach the farthest point on the radio shroud and can be trimmed/extended as need be.
So for a future customer one will unplug this:
Plug our harness in, plug the other side back into the ignition (where you just unplugged) turn the key to on and push the button on the other end of our harness and your car will start.
For anyone who hasn't see this, some of our wiring work is shown in a little video I made.
Reply
0
0
10-06-2010, 04:51 AM
#5
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,175
Total Cats: 1,129
Button would most likely be up to you for mounting. S2000 starter buttons are ~$20 and fit nicely in the cigarette lighter. If that doesn't work for you, a panel can be made fairly easily.
Reply
0
0
10-06-2010, 10:44 AM
#10
Someone please explain the obsession over push button start. I'd be totally down if I could put my keys in my pocket and get in and hit start like you can in some newer vehicles. But in our cars you still need to put the key in the ignition and turn it, so why add in another step? I just want to go! What happens if for some reason the switch goes bad? Can I still start the car or do I need to disconnect it all?
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote
Reply
0
0
10-06-2010, 10:52 AM
#11
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,175
Total Cats: 1,129
If you could find and wire up a remote relay, that would go off as soon as some dongle got close to the car, it'd be easy.
I tried to simplify my wiring by putting the relays in the hood. The turbo melted the wires, and I could no longer turn the car off, had to pop the clutch with the e-brake on to kill the engine. This is the ONLY problem I've had in the ~3 years I've had my system rigged up. And that's with spade connectors shoved in the Miata harness, and switches/relays replacing the rest of the function of the ignition key, which was actually the part that went bad.
I feel like I'm the one who's trying to sell the product. I'll shut up now. Push button starts are fun.
I tried to simplify my wiring by putting the relays in the hood. The turbo melted the wires, and I could no longer turn the car off, had to pop the clutch with the e-brake on to kill the engine. This is the ONLY problem I've had in the ~3 years I've had my system rigged up. And that's with spade connectors shoved in the Miata harness, and switches/relays replacing the rest of the function of the ignition key, which was actually the part that went bad.
I feel like I'm the one who's trying to sell the product. I'll shut up now. Push button starts are fun.
Reply
0
0
10-06-2010, 02:59 PM
#15
Someone please explain the obsession over push button start. I'd be totally down if I could put my keys in my pocket and get in and hit start like you can in some newer vehicles. But in our cars you still need to put the key in the ignition and turn it, so why add in another step? I just want to go! What happens if for some reason the switch goes bad? Can I still start the car or do I need to disconnect it all?
Is there some performance benefit or is it just an extra step?
Reply
0
0
10-06-2010, 03:45 PM
#16
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Incline Village, NV
Posts: 2,034
Total Cats: 5
So my friend who started this project (NeilMG) just joined the forum so he'll be able to answer some questions too.
Here's his intro post:
https://www.miataturbo.net/meet-greet-40/newbie-worked-miatas-yet-doesnt-own-one-52375/
Here's his intro post:
https://www.miataturbo.net/meet-greet-40/newbie-worked-miatas-yet-doesnt-own-one-52375/
Reply
0
0
10-06-2010, 05:57 PM
#17
I can say push button is nice in autox when you spin and kill the engine. A lot nicer to just push the button instead of fumbling for the key to restart. That is about my only functional logic behind it though.
S2k start button in the cig lighter hole would be baller. Fits perfect.
S2k start button in the cig lighter hole would be baller. Fits perfect.
Reply
0
0
10-06-2010, 06:18 PM
#18
Newb
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Lake Tahoe, CA
Posts: 10
Total Cats: 0
Hello all, I'm Neil! As mentioned I'm going to chime in and hopefully answer all the standing questions so far. Here we go!
I'm thinking we could have some options, default would be to include a quality button but we could offer it with the S2000 button or as a harness-only option if you already have something in mind/on hand.
I'm thinking something like one of these:
I'm also working out something cool with a light up version of those.
I took a look at their kit, price is still $75. From what little I can tell from just the picture, it doesn't look like it disconnects ACC circuits when cranking. Do you recall from yours?
I wouldn't consider it a performance benefit, but then again big stickers add at least 10whp, so I'd say this button should get you at least 15. 
Seriously, they really just add some fun. In a full track car there isn't a key so you kinda have to go this route. I guess the idea is you're adding a bit of a "race car" element.
If the switch did go bad just like the stock one, you'd have to replace it. Fortunately here you could just unplug the harness and restore to "normal."
I agree, toggle switches for on + start button = really satisfying.
Keyless dongle and biometrics, now we're into the future! Not impossible, just for kicks I may look into this at some point. Just because...
I agree, it looks a bit underwhelming. I definitely would want to use a nice sized, solid button which has a nice feel/action to it. (Like those above.) For me quality is key for me, there's no point in making a shabby product because then you won't go very far with it.
Hmm good point. S2000 button does fit quite nicely.
Ok! I hope so far that takes care of most things. I'm still pondering on the price, $75 is kinda the ballpark but we've still got to see about getting all the various bits and such.
Given the pretty positive response I'm going to order some stuff so I'll hopefully have prototype photos for everyone in the near future.
I'm thinking something like one of these:
I'm also working out something cool with a light up version of those.
Someone please explain the obsession over push button start. I'd be totally down if I could put my keys in my pocket and get in and hit start like you can in some newer vehicles. But in our cars you still need to put the key in the ignition and turn it, so why add in another step? I just want to go! What happens if for some reason the switch goes bad? Can I still start the car or do I need to disconnect it all?
Seriously, they really just add some fun. In a full track car there isn't a key so you kinda have to go this route. I guess the idea is you're adding a bit of a "race car" element.
If the switch did go bad just like the stock one, you'd have to replace it. Fortunately here you could just unplug the harness and restore to "normal."
If you could find and wire up a remote relay, that would go off as soon as some dongle got close to the car, it'd be easy.
I tried to simplify my wiring by putting the relays in the hood. The turbo melted the wires, and I could no longer turn the car off, had to pop the clutch with the e-brake on to kill the engine. This is the ONLY problem I've had in the ~3 years I've had my system rigged up. And that's with spade connectors shoved in the Miata harness, and switches/relays replacing the rest of the function of the ignition key, which was actually the part that went bad.
I feel like I'm the one who's trying to sell the product. I'll shut up now. Push button starts are fun.
I tried to simplify my wiring by putting the relays in the hood. The turbo melted the wires, and I could no longer turn the car off, had to pop the clutch with the e-brake on to kill the engine. This is the ONLY problem I've had in the ~3 years I've had my system rigged up. And that's with spade connectors shoved in the Miata harness, and switches/relays replacing the rest of the function of the ignition key, which was actually the part that went bad.
I feel like I'm the one who's trying to sell the product. I'll shut up now. Push button starts are fun.
Keyless dongle and biometrics, now we're into the future! Not impossible, just for kicks I may look into this at some point. Just because...
I can say push button is nice in autox when you spin and kill the engine. A lot nicer to just push the button instead of fumbling for the key to restart. That is about my only functional logic behind it though.
S2k start button in the cig lighter hole would be baller. Fits perfect.
S2k start button in the cig lighter hole would be baller. Fits perfect.
Ok! I hope so far that takes care of most things. I'm still pondering on the price, $75 is kinda the ballpark but we've still got to see about getting all the various bits and such.
Given the pretty positive response I'm going to order some stuff so I'll hopefully have prototype photos for everyone in the near future.
Reply
0
0
