Start button - cool/not cool

alec.m · Post by **alec.m** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 10:32

I`ve always fancied a push button start. Anyone fitted one in their Z and where? Seen the following but there`s loads to choose from
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/BILL ... START_PBSM

muckyman · Post by **muckyman** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 10:58

my opinion is that they are cool in cars that came with them fitted by the manufacturer, and uncool in those added as aftermarket additions.

But, thats just MY opinion and you should do what you think is right for YOUR car (thankfully, we don't all have identical tastes and opinions)

Geoff H · Post by **Geoff H** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 11:47

Its been done by some people on here replacing the cigarette lighter with the start button, there were some photos if you do a search you may find them

shantybeater · Post by **shantybeater** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 13:25

If you choose the right placement and do a proper enough job to make it look factory fitted then very cool, the danger is its probably easy to bodge with cheap & tacky eBay kits readily available

BimBeema · Post by **BimBeema** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 13:44

It has been done by one or two members on this forum and it has looked very good - I think they used the Honda S2000 starter button. A mate of mine has done it on his Audi TT using the Honda S2K button and I have to say it does look good, so good I have thought about doing it too, but I need the cig lighter for the sat nav.

alec.m · Post by **alec.m** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 14:34

Great replies guys. I like the idea of using the cigarette lighter socket but I too need it for the sat nav. I`m not good with electrics, could anyone advise me if a sat nav could be powered by a small plug and socket? I`m thinking of the blank space between the roof opening button and the OBC readout which would be big enough to take a socket. Any thoughts appreciated.

Mike Fishwick · Post by **Mike Fishwick** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 15:27

A good (Honda etc) start push looks nice, but as you have to turn the key for the ignition, you may as well turn it a bit more and start the engine.

Post by **Robert T** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 17:35

Some info here, but afraid most of the piccies have long since disappeared.

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7943

Funny how these things crop up in other conversations. Was just talking to one of the Healey owners the other day about replacing the solenoid for his start button - the frog doesn't have such sophistication - it has a knob that you pull... the knob operates a bowden cable, which pulls two plates of metal together. I hope the zed solution is a bit more modern.

Cheers R.

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 18:46

The pull start is something I had forgotten about, my Dads old Moggy had the same.

OXO · Post by **OXO** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 19:18

Early Minis used to have the starter button on the floor by the handbrake...

woody91 · Post by **woody91** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 19:29

You could wire the sat nav to a switched live if you remove the cigarette lighter that way then the sat nav would only ever power up when the ignition was on.

Devon Z · Post by **Devon Z** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 20:13

I have an S2000 button in the cig lighter hole, I like the look of the alloy push button though

I have wired in a double socket in the glovebox for sat nav and phone charger.

gookah · Post by **gookah** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 21:08

I am thinking of retrofitting a starting handle.
How cool is that

Sorcerors Apprentice · Post by **Sorcerors Apprentice** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 21:26

alec.m wrote:Anyone fitted one in their Z and where?

On top of your knob (gear)

Or

How about middle of forehead?

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Thu 31 Mar, 2011 22:03

gookah wrote:I am thinking of retrofitting a starting handle.
How cool is that

BimBeema · Post by **BimBeema** » Fri 01 Apr, 2011 09:29

Devon Z wrote:I have an S2000 button in the cig lighter hole, I like the look of the alloy push button though I have wired in a double socket in the glovebox for sat nav and phone charger.

Very nice - care to share details of how with a write up?

alec.m · Post by **alec.m** » Fri 01 Apr, 2011 10:29

Devon Z solution looks like the way I`m going to go. Some details of how you did it would be great.

Devon Z · Post by **Devon Z** » Sat 02 Apr, 2011 19:36

I'm away working at the moment and did this mod a year ago so I'll try to remember the details and post some pictures when I get home

alec.m · Post by **alec.m** » Mon 04 Apr, 2011 06:59

Thanks Devon Z, I`ll be looking out for your post.

Jet · Post by **Jet** » Thu 07 Apr, 2011 12:54

Have both, install a Start Button and relocate the lighter socket under the dash, out of sight, its easy to do, as everything comes with a socket adapter these days, you will curse the day you got rid.

BimBeema · Post by **BimBeema** » Thu 07 Apr, 2011 13:08

Jetski wrote:Have both, install a Start Button and relocate the lighter socket under the dash, out of sight, its easy to do, as everything comes with a socket adapter these days, you will curse the day you got rid.

Agree but how? have you done this? do you have any details? would be grateful if you do/can share.

Thanks

Jet · Post by **Jet** » Thu 07 Apr, 2011 14:14

BimBeema wrote:
Jetski wrote:Have both, install a Start Button and relocate the lighter socket under the dash, out of sight, its easy to do, as everything comes with a socket adapter these days, you will curse the day you got rid.
Agree but how? have you done this? do you have any details? would be grateful if you do/can share.

Thanks

Sorry, I should have said, my car is not a Z3, but the concept is the same, as lighter sockets are mostly just 2 wires, moving them just needs a soldering iron and a new socket. Finding the right start button was the hard part and making it look natural, which should be alot easier in a Z3.

I have some poor quality pics, but not much use in the Z3 forum.

Start button - cool/not cool

Start button - cool/not cool

Button

Re: Start button - cool/not cool