Engine Push Start Button - Wiring - Solenoid

[george graves]

Nice little mod you did!!!

But I must say, using a multimeter/test light is becoming another lost art.

Luke is a god, and at this point he has no need for a multi-meter, he justs smells the wires for ground, hot or acc. Nooo, trust me!!! He just puts his nose up to them, inhales deeply (kinda like a wine snob) and then says "oh this one is very 'ground-ey' "

...But I bet back in the day he had a DMM strapped to his hip....

So, as I said, nice mod, but what is the hi-tech now-a-days?

Some car makers are putting antenna'ss in the a, b and or c pillars that can find out where the signal from your remote is coming from. You walk up to your car on the passenger side, it only unlocks that door and turns on the lights if it's dark out. It knows (by triangulation) if you are out side the car or in. Then if it find out you are in - the "push to start" button works...slick hun?

...

....

[euroshark]

And his trusty gay sidekick :

lol

Thank you, my sarcasm didn't transmit through the computer as well as I had hoped.

[JamesE30]

Yes, connected to the main power wire from the ignition harness, NOT the cigarette lighter.

Describe in more detail the "fun" noises, please.

You are aware that you will still need to turn the key on, correct?

Luke

Lol yes i am aware.

THANK YOU.

Everything is complete. The button is wired up and working all thanks to StereInstaller1!

NEVER doubt or contest this man in regards to electronics. (even if what he tells you contradicts your shithouse instructions lol)
You sir, know your shit.

The red wire i had them both connected to when not working, was the one immediately out of the key barrel.
There is another red wire further down, past a plug/adapter thing whisch is what you were describing.

I will draw a wiring diagram for this and post it in the DIY forum.

Thank you all for your help.

[Raxe]

Hmm, the only push start button car I've driven is an s2000 and it seemed like it would crank as long as i held the button down and that if I were to just tap it I don't think it would have started. I need to play with it again to confirm this but its just what I assumed from the times I have driven it. I think if he wires things up right it will work like he wants. I personally don't understand the appeal of a push button start unless its a race car and you don't have keys to begin with.

If you have to put the keys in the ignition anyways what the point of the push button?

The BMW Z8 also requires you to insert the key (a normal key, but unique styling), turn it to the "second" position and then hold the starter button until the engine fires up. If you just tap the button like any of the new cars it won't turn over. They're the only cars I've driven like this, but I almost like them better than the automated new ones.

[StereoInstaller1]

OK. I did all of that word for word and nothing worked.
The starter just made a bunch of fun noises.

Are you saying #86 / #87 are to be connected to the same wire?

According to the "instructions"
#85 --> EARTH
#86 --> Button --> 12v Power source (cigarette lighter)
#87 --> to starter solenoid
#30 --> to starter solenoid

Yes, connected to the main power wire from the ignition harness, NOT the cigarette lighter.

Describe in more detail the "fun" noises, please.

You are aware that you will still need to turn the key on, correct?

Luke

[Teaguer]

it wouldn't bend valves. it would also be impossible to wire it up in that direction as you should only be touching one wire off the starter.

Doubt it...
I have rotated (by hand) M30s and Alfa V6s backwards and nothing bad happens. I don't see how the M20 could be any different.

And his trusty gay sidekick :

[JamesE30]

I still don't understand why you want to put in a push start button if you still have to put the key in... its kinda lame... where do you plan on mounting it?

i don't really care what any of you have to say about it, ...bla, bla, bla... all i see arround here is people buying off the shelf parts and bolting onto their cars, try being original for a change...

I'm placing it in a custom panel that will replace my center console.

see here:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=94910

[euroshark]

Just make sure you don't wire it up backwards or you'll spin then engine the wrong way and bend valves ;)

Doubt it...

I have rotated (by hand) M30s and Alfa V6s backwards and nothing bad happens. I don't see how the M20 could be any different.

[kowalski]

Just make sure you don't wire it up backwards or you'll spin then engine the wrong way and bend valves ;)

it wouldn't bend valves. it would also be impossible to wire it up in that direction as you should only be touching one wire off the starter.

I still don't understand why you want to put in a push start button if you still have to put the key in... its kinda lame... where do you plan on mounting it?

[JamesE30]

OK, Do this: Take your shiny new starter switch. Mount it somewhere, put ground on one side, then you will have a ground output when you press the button. To finish the job, you will need 1 Normal Bosch (or whatever) SPDT 12V relay.

Pin 85: Ground (from your new switch)
Pin 86: +12V from ignition harness (red I believe)
Pin 30: +12V from ignition harness (red I believe)
Pin 87: Output to the starter (black/yellow?)

OK. I did all of that word for word and nothing worked.
The starter just made a bunch of fun noises.

Are you saying #86 / #87 are to be connected to the same wire?

According to the "instructions"
#85 --> EARTH
#86 --> Button --> 12v Power source (cigarette lighter)
#87 --> to starter solenoid
#30 --> to starter solenoid

[StereoInstaller1]

OK, Do this: Take your shiny new starter switch. Mount it somewhere, put ground on one side, then you will have a ground output when you press the button. To finish the job, you will need 1 Normal Bosch (or whatever) SPDT 12V relay.

Pin 85: Ground (from your new switch)
Pin 86: +12V from ignition harness (red I believe)
Pin 30: +12V from ignition harness (red I believe)
Pin 87: Output to the starter (black/yellow?)

[rs4pro3]

the black yellow wire is the 12 volt trigger for the solenoid and that's it. Some newer e30 have 3 wires,t he main red constant 12 volt, the black yellow, and a black/green wire which goes to the unloader relay.

[JamesE30]

do you have a multi-meter? or even a test light? if you have either of these things, there is nothing you can't do.

test each wire to see what it's doing when the car is starting. write it down and test the next one. all you have to do is replicate that sequence by getting the wire that is getting a 12v signal when the car is cranking some power. it should be relatively easy if you have the right tools.

also, a thought on the push button starts-
I think they are only cool if you don't need a key. why add another step to something that's already simple? but I did always want to add one in my M roadster because with any type of aftermarket alarm there will be a starter disable. therefore, the car can only be started if it was unlocked via the key fob that only YOU should have. if someone breaks in, they can't start it because the alarm won't let them.

yes i have a multi meter, and i have trial and error...ed just about everything!
this Is so frustrating! If it is definitely the black and yellow wire, then
according to the multimeter, the other wire must be red, green or purple wires.
I have tried all and none work!.
UGH!

[TTe30m3]

do you have a multi-meter? or even a test light? if you have either of these things, there is nothing you can't do.

test each wire to see what it's doing when the car is starting. write it down and test the next one. all you have to do is replicate that sequence by getting the wire that is getting a 12v signal when the car is cranking some power. it should be relatively easy if you have the right tools.

also, a thought on the push button starts-
I think they are only cool if you don't need a key. why add another step to something that's already simple? but I did always want to add one in my M roadster because with any type of aftermarket alarm there will be a starter disable. therefore, the car can only be started if it was unlocked via the key fob that only YOU should have. if someone breaks in, they can't start it because the alarm won't let them.

[JamesE30]

Thanks for your help guys.

I was trying to keep this more of a tech thread than a discussion.
...serves me right for posting in wrong forum.

Anyway i found the Yellow/Black wire, but i need to know what other wire to connect to, to complete the circuit in the start position of the key.

I have seen wiring diagrams for my car (or close to) in the bently, they were no help.

This is so close to completion, i will post a thread with pictures and info when im done.
That way you can all rave on about how unnecessary this "mod" is in an orderly fassion.