Button engine start

[buger]

I have to make a new start setup (the old is in the trash) to a friends zook buggy with a 1.3 engine, he would like to start the engine with the use of a push button.
With the wireing for the lights and other small stuff I will not have big problems, but the start wireing will kill me. I made the starter motor turn, but I can't connect in the right way the ignition coil, distributor, baterry and the start buttons to make the engine start.
So I will need some expert help!

THANKS!

[mickyd555]

has the old setup been retained, minus the key barell or whatever it was. if so, then just put a push button across the contacts that used to close to start the car. just get a push button that does "not-hold". that means it will jump back out once you take your finger off so the starter moter stops.

good luck.

[buger]

The problem is that we don't have the old setup anymore!

[-Scott-]

You'll need a minimum of two switches, one latching, one momentary.

The latching switch (push button, rocker, rotary, toggle - doesn't matter as long as it won't be accidentally switched off) is used to switch +ve supply to the coil (and electric fuel pump, if you have one...)

The negative of the coil is connected to ground through the points (or whatever electronic ignition module you may be running.)

The momentary switch is used to supply +ve supply to the solenoid on the starter motor.

So turn on the latching switch to energise the ignition, then push and hold the momentary switch to turn the engine over. Once the engine starts, release the momentary switch. To stop the engine, switch off the latching switch.

I don't know how much current the solenoid will draw, so you'll either need a larger switch rated to carry the solenoid current, or you'll need to use a suitably rated relay.

If you have a ballast resistor you'll need to wire it's relay through the momentary switch, so that the resistor is shorted out while the engine is cranking.

If you have an electric fuel pump consider adding a safety switch which will automatically stop the pump if the engine dies - in the event of an accident, etc. I believe these things are common in LPG installs, to isolate the LPG when the engine isn't running.

Good luck,

Scott