james h
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:04 PM |
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Start button on the steering wheel
Just been thinking (dangerous, I know) about the possibility of wiring a start button onto the steering wheel. I'd connect it to the loom by one
of those curly telephone/keyboard type wires.
Trouble is, these wires which are very thin aren't current rated very highly, but I didn't think they'd need to be as you are
closing a relay (the starter relay) anyway.
So, knowledgable locostbuilders, is this idea a bit ambitious? How much current goes through the ignition barrel usually?
Cheers
James
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PSpirine
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:09 PM |
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A lot, but there's no reason why you can't use a starter button to switch a standard 12v relay, which in turn will switch the starter
relay.
Why would you want a starter button on your steering wheel? does your car need to be restarted mid-corner? 
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james h
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:13 PM |
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The official line is that I won't be able to reach the dash when strapped in, handy for a quick restart if i stall (changing to paddles so
won't be keeping the sierra ignition barrel).
The unoffical reason is that it would look 
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Kwik
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:13 PM |
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forget the steering wheel, make it a james bond under the gear lever button...
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PSpirine
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:15 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Kwik
forget the steering wheel, make it a james bond under the gear lever button...
That makes far more sense in fact.
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PSpirine
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:15 PM |
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GEAR SHIFT KNOB Engine Push Start Button Starter Switch | eBay
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fazerruss
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:16 PM |
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you could fit an extra relay in the circuit to drive the starter solonoid which would work fine. But in my oppinion i think its a bit risky having the
starter switch circuit made up of a non fixed wire ie a thin curly dangley wire prone to failure. I know this is worst case senario but if the wire
snaps, shorts to ground and turns on the starter motor while the engine is running  = knackered starter/ ring gear
"if assholes could fly this place would be an airport"
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james h
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:27 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by PSpirine
GEAR SHIFT KNOB Engine Push Start Button Starter Switch | eBay
That looks preeeety nice, trouble is I don't have a gear shift lever!
"This engine starter shift knob gives your car an unmistakably authentic european appearance." Do Americans all think we're James
Bond?
quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
you could fit an extra relay in the circuit to drive the starter solonoid which would work fine. But in my oppinion i think its a bit risky having the
starter switch circuit made up of a non fixed wire ie a thin curly dangley wire prone to failure. I know this is worst case senario but if the wire
snaps, shorts to ground and turns on the starter motor while the engine is running = knackered starter/ ring gear
Good point, although in that case I could wire it through the oil pressure light which would go out after starting the car. Or the neutral light,
there would be less chance of the wire failing when stationary. Would also ensure I could only start the car in neutral too.
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PSpirine
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| posted on 1/8/11 at 09:27 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by fazerruss
you could fit an extra relay in the circuit to drive the starter solonoid which would work fine. But in my oppinion i think its a bit risky having the
starter switch circuit made up of a non fixed wire ie a thin curly dangley wire prone to failure. I know this is worst case senario but if the wire
snaps, shorts to ground and turns on the starter motor while the engine is running = knackered starter/ ring gear
Depending on the ECU/Engine there may be a "engine running" signal wire, which could be used as a fail-safe. I know I could get one out of
an aftermarket alarm I put in the clio. Meant you could wire a starter button on it and just hold the button indefinitely, when the engine fires, it
disconnects the starter relay.
Still don't see any reason whatsoever to fit it to the steering wheel when the gear knob is a much better, easier and safer place for it, and
still has the "cool" factor!
*EDIT - you beat me to the post with "I don't have a gear knob" in which case I can see why you're trying to do it!
[Edited on 1/8/11 by PSpirine]
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