S2K start button

[rat_ranger]

It will work basically the same for any lighted start button. I chose one from an S2K for the looks and how itll fit in a cigarette lighter hole.

Wiring the relay into the column. If you splice into the red/blue wire then you can still turn the key to start the truck. If you just cut the wire and run it straight to the relay then only the button will start the truck.

The wiring on the button itself. The connector is the power connector from an old floppy drive.

and how it looks mounted in the dash.

This was on an 03 so other years might have a different color wire in the column harness that you connect to. Just look up a diagram for a remote start setup and itll tell you.

Hope everyone enjoys this simple mod. I did it because the lighter did not work.

 

[sooperxtool]

Dang thats sweet
Is that some kind of cover or veneer on your dash? Where did you find it?

 

[Downey]

thats pretty sweet man

 

[7.5L_STX]

is that real carbon fiber?

 

[rat_ranger]

No its fake carbon, I got it from hillbankmotorcorp.com I dont think they have it anymore. But you should be able to find it on ebay. It is just an overlay. You can also find the center bezel from an STX and they are carbon or one of the troy lee mazdas. But those cost a pretty penny.

 

[baxtej44]

okay so electrical diagrams make no sense to me... so, you just need a power and a wire going to, we'll call it an, "ignition wire"?

is that the main idea?

 

[rat_ranger]

well you have a ground and a positive going to the button, for these I used the cigarette lighter wires. the button has a wire running to the relay terminal 86, 85 on the relay goes to ground, 87 splices into the red/blue wire that actually tells the starter to crank, and 30 is getting spliced into positive wire that is only on with the ignition. For me it was the top yellow wire coming out of the column. overall it is really simple.

i guess the simplest way to look at it is your hooking up a relay like you would for fog lights, but it gets power only when the key is on, and instead of have a regular switch it is a momentary on switch. you can use a toggle, a button, whatever you want as long as it is momentary.

 

[baxtej44]

ok well i'm in no way comfortable at all with electrical work, but you at least made it sound somewhat obtainable!

 

[rat_ranger]

It is pretty simple, you need 2 wire splices, the qucik ones where you just squeeze it with pliers. 14-16 guage wire, about 4 feet, the button and a 4 post relay. you connect to the after key power wire, run that to #30 on the relay(they are labeled on the relay), 85 goes to a bolt holding the dash frame to something, 86 goes to the button, 87 splices into the red/blue wire coming out of the ignition harness. And then run a positive wire to the button, and if it lights up ground it and your done. I mounted the relay to the dash brace that is under the column.

 

[baxtej44]

what about security issues with this? now if someone can just get through my door, they can just start my car and get away right?

 

[rat_ranger]

thats why the power for the relay comes from the keyed hot wire. You can only crank the engine with the key on. you still have to use the key, but you can push a button instead of turning the key to start. You have to put they key to run, then hit the button or it wont even crank the engine. Thats why I specifically used the keyed hot wire, so that I can have the start button, but the key must be used.

 

[baxtej44]

oh okay, so you put the key in and turn it to accessory mode? and then your button works? sorry, like i said and you have probably found out by now, i don't know electrical.

how do modern cars do it now? I think some of them are like you can start it up to 2 times without the key, but after that you have to use the key... anyway you can make this button more permanent, yet secure?

 

[blk93notch]

i know lexus cars you have to press the brake first before you can hit the start button

 

[sooperxtool]

Basically, instead of turning the key to the start position, you push the button. The key will need to be in the ON position, the spot your key goes back to after you start your truck. The button won't affect the brake (or clutch if you have a manual). Newer cars ya they probably have to have the brake pushed to start but this is just a simple button. Its really just for looks/cool factor. I was looking into getting one myself. Their about $30 on ebay.

Does the button light up when you turn the key on?? From the pictures I saw on ebay, the button looks to be of a non transparent plastic but that would be kinda cool if it did.

 

[rat_ranger]

the lettering start engine comes on with a dull red glow. And yes the key has to be in the run position for the button to work. And all the brake/clutch safety switches are still in effect. The reason to do the wiring at the column is so that everything still works like factory, except now once you turn the ignition on you can push a button instead of turning the key the rest of the way to start.