Pontiacguy18

ok so first off all my guages are broken but with new guages i can just connect to the old wires right? all my guages worked until one day they just stopped for some reason. Now to my more important question.

I just bought an 84 camaro with a 350 swap and a 5 speed, the car starts without the key so instead of fixing that I want to go with a push button. How the I wire that, and does any button work or do I need a special one, because I want to go with a button on my center consol near the radio that has a flip top... hard to explain but if any button will do I dont need to explain it =) thanks for any help

brandotron

iTrader: (2)

About the gauges, I doubt replacing them all would fix your problem. If they ALL went out at the same time, you might want to check out your wiring. Are they totally dead, or do they just not light up? If it's the latter, you probably have a short in your headlight switch--and that's a quick fix. If it's the former, something may have come loose.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

While I like the idea of a Starter button, I question doing it. It would look meat, but be more trouble than NOT having it, unless you defeat the steering lock too.

With it, you still have to insert the key, rotate it to unlock the column, then stop turning & push the button. It would be easier to just key the key starter.

Defeat the steering lock, & I'm all for it.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

If you defeat the steering lock, you better have a good garage with a good security system. These cars are easy to steal without only having to jump in and hit a button.

Pontiacguy18

i will look into the guages tonight and let you guys know if there is something just loose. They dont work, dont light up but my headlights work... ?

As for the easily stealing my car, right now you dont need a key to start it anyways, the ignition wont lock into place so all you need to do is turn it and go. I have heard you can hide something like a relay switch under the dash or somewhere discrete, that way the button wont work when the switch is off. idk if thats possible but thank you all for helping.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Check the "Gauges" fuse?

See my signature for a helpful troublehsooting hint.

IROCmonkey

yep check the fuse first

all your guages dont work? including speedo and odo? cause that would be really odd

also check to see if the gauge cluster is snug in the dash. if the connectors clipped into the dash assembly are not making good contact with the circuit contacts on the back of the cluster, stuff wont work, remove the trim plate and push gently but firmly against the bottom of the cluster, if your gauges come on (need to have car running), you need to tighten the nuts at the bottom of the cluster.

if neither of those seems to be the issue, pull the cluster the rest of the way out (remove nuts at the bottom, lower column a bit, unhook speedo cable) and inspect the 2 connectors on the inside of the dash for damage or being loose, and inspect the circuit "board" on the back of the cluster as well.

spend the less than $20 bucks to repair your ignition cylinder properly, would be my advice.

or if you really want to do a start button for the "cool" factor, make sure you get one that has at least the same amp rating as the starter circuit, preferably higher, or you will just have a nice little fire sometime or maybe a burnt finger, and I would install some kind of key switch somewhere as a safety/theft prevention feature.

lordmalice76

I built a keyed push button start for mine. It functions like the column start and i made it out of industrial switches. nice and heavy duty. i made a mount out of a broken ashtray so it would have a lid and mounted it in the console.