Hey gang - 88 GTA. I've been interested in doing a push button starter on my car. After reading the various posts on this topic, I think what I'm going to do for now is take the simple approach with better security and wire a button directly to the starter through the firewall. It's not going to be an 'everday function'. It's just going to be for those one-off "cool" things to show my friends. So i'll still want to just turn the key for 90% of my driving. In either case, I know I'll still need to insert and turn the key to the on position which is totally fine. (p.s. no VATS)

I had a few questions I was hoping you can help with:

a) Would you recommend using a relay for this setup? If so, what amperage (40/50?)

b) What guage wiring would you suggest?

c) Any recommendations on the type of button to use? (don't want to use something that's too small where the wiring would fry ...but if I can do that safely, that I'd prefer smaller ones)

d) Where would I tap into the starter? What wire / terminal?

e) Is there a way to set it up so the button does NOT work unless the key is in? Or does that happen automatically? I just don't want someone pushing the button and cranking the starter when the key isn't even in the ignition.

Thanks in advance everyone. Joe

 

gauge 14, button only works when key is in " ON " position,,so no worry's.
No relay needet, as long as u insulate the wires on the push button ,,no worry's.
I would tab in at the ignition switch.

We do that on boats all the time !

Oh,,, terminal on starter,,would be the same where it is now, the little one .
on a boat its yellow ,or yellow brown . don't know on a car.

 

Typical starter circuit below.
Run a wire ,( jumper from the wire to coil {Pink ?} at ign switch) to the push button switch ( red X ) and back to the starter wire on the ign switch ;that way button is in parallel with the stock wiring and everything remains the same.
Key has to be on (Ign on) for button to get power .All you have done is bypass the starter switch itself

 

If its just a light usage thing, why not just get a remote starter? Still pushbutton and alot cooler!

 

DELETE

 

Thanks for your help everyone. HCR - I'll be getting that too! This is an inexpensive way to get the same 'cool' factor for the time being.

 

VETTE - just to make sure I'm understanding you right: you're saying find the 'pink'(??) wire at the Ignition Switch (which I'll assume is under the steering column) and splice in a new wire to it (14 gauge like Dare suggested). Take that new wire and connect it to one of the terminals on the push button. For the other push button terminal, run a 14 gauge wire from it back to...? That's just where I'm confused. Is the 'starter wire' the same thing as the pink 'coil' wire (hence I'd be making a simple loop), or is it a different one? Thanks again man.

 

No
I don't have a 3rd Gen diagram so working off common GM wiring .
The Ign switch has power going to it ( usually thick red or orange)
When the key is turned ON ,one or more of the wires become live. Coil (Dist ) wire is usually pink, there may be others. When the key is turned to START ; the wire to the starter becomes live also ;but only when the key is in the start position .
As you say you only want switch to work when key on, you need power from a terminal that is only live when the key is on ,through the new switch back to the starter wiring on ign switch.


There are other ways of doing it but this way means all your work is at the ign switch location , not somewhere inside the dash

 

Just make sure WHATEVER you do, you tap into the existing wires BEFORE the Park/Neutral or Clutch Safety Switch so you don't end up bucking in gear into something

 

If he wires it as I outlined all the factory safety features are still in place

 

Thank you guys. You've been most helpful. I'll give it a try and let you know how it goes!

 

First part done. I went out to RS and got a momentary push button rated 3 AMPs (highest momentary one they had) along with some terminal connects and 14 guage wiring. The push button looks pretty small, and the guy warned me that the amperage might be too light for this set up to work unless I have a relay. Guess we'll see - stay tuned!

 

OK - looks like we're good to go! Hooked up the push button the thick pink and yellow wires. Used a volt meter to make sure they became hot at the appropriate turn of the key. Plus I was lucky - looks like someone tapped into these wires already (maybe for the old remote starter that used to be on the car). So in looking at the tape it wasn't too hard to figure out. THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP! This is VERY exciting for me!