So I'm growing tired of the steering column in my Camaro being worn out. I already replaced the bushings twice, but things seem to worn enough that the key and high-beams no longer work reliably, and I have to pull down on the whole wheel to get it to work. I've looked (not very hard though) at replacement columns, and they seem to be pretty pricey. I don't really want to spend too much money on a column that may or may not be worn out and potentially have the same issue later on. My clutch hydraulics went out, and not being able to shut the car off right away (due to the ignition rod not lining up correctly) when it was in gear because I wasn't pulling down correctly on the wheel (or shift out of first due to the hydraulic fluid leaking) almost made me crash into my garage door.

So I'm toying with the idea of doing a pushbutton start/shutoff in the car. I know it's been done on these Camaros, but I'm not sure to what extent. I'd have to unplug the ignition switch and leave the key "on" so that the steering wheel wouldn't lock, but I'd like to hear ideas of what people have done. I'd also like to have a way where you still need some sort of requirement in order to start the car so no one can just walk in and push the button and go, and I'm not too interested in a steering wheel lock as of now. I haven't done too much research into it, and I'm sure I can find stuff when I start looking around, but I figured I'd ask to see what people have done and what their setups look like before I decide to go this route.

I installed a remote start setup in my 88 F-150, so I was thinking I could probably use the same brand system and use one of the auxiliary functions as a requirement to send the signal to start the car, but that's just some initial thinking. That would also make this project cost as much or more than a new column, but at least I wouldn't have to deal with it ever wearing out again.


Anyways, what have you guys done? I'd like to see some picture of your setups as well!

 

"Hid" a battery cut-off switch in the console, lol. Handy too if you need to disconnect the battery some reason,...just turn the switch off.

 

Thanks for the picture! I was thinking about something like that. A battery cutoff switch would be handy for other maintenance as well! I'd be a little worried someone could find it if they spent a little time searching though, so I'd like something in addition to a cutoff switch. I suppose I'd have to invest in a higher end setup that has a wireless transmitter and keyfob like device.

I was hoping I'd at least get my Camaro running again today, but apparently no-one stocks clutch master cylinders here in Cheyenne....

 

all you need is a switch to bypass starting the car,no fancy bullcrap...;..that just causes more issues and more complications,less is more.
ive got "a switch" but it was already wired when i got it.push the lighter in,car starts with the key...take the lighter with you,no start....

keep the key,fix it once properly........pushbutton starts on these cars are kind of trailer parky

 

Yeah I get where you're coming from. I ordered a remote start/ keyless entry setup, but I may just try and look around for a good deal on a 91 steering column. In order to make the pushbutton start look good and operate how I want, I need to order a microcontroller or some specific circuits that let me convert the push button into a switch with a timed start. However, wiring in all the additional circuits (like a timed start after the pushbutton) and security measure is more than I feel like dealing with as of now. I'm on the third set of master cylinders in two weeks, so I'm more excited to just get the car working again...

The first master cylinder I purchased I ordered had reviews saying it worked on 85-92 camaros, but it didn't... I bought it because it was a pre bled kit... The second master cylinder either had the pushrod messed up when I fed it through the firewall, or was bad in the first place because the housing snapped as well as the rod bent when I tried pushing it in (I know.. I was being too aggressive when it didn't give right away). So I just ordered a LUK master and slave to replace everything again and am waiting for it to come in.

 

ive found the more complicated i make things,the less i like them and the more difficult they are to troubleshoot.the few older cars ive had with alarms ended up being massive headaches as they really octopus the wiring together and make a mess of everything tbh.i bought a gta last year and it was a nightmare,everything was acting up,digital dash was a mess ,wiring a nightmare and at the center of it an old outdated alarm wound in like a parasite...a good,well hidden starter bypass to me is far better or pull the coil wire.most modern thieves would be confused with an old school car with a simple bypass.

ive never done a master cylinder so i can sympathize.ive got to change fuse-able links and im not looking forward to that either.(hate wiring,especially half hidden wiring)
i just did vortec heads,cam,intake,timing chain,headers in car this past fall.runs like a scalded cat compared to the old lg4 with the crap heads and peanut cam...

 

ive heard of bench bleeding the master cylider but dont know much about it,im sure youtube would be helpful