Push Button or Momentary On Starter Switch

[REDSC400]

Hi Guys:
I have been toying with the idea of retrofitting my ERA by replacing my "normal" keyed combo ignition and starter switch (dash mounted) with a combination of:

1) Dashboard Master Ignition Switch with Aircraft Style Flip Shield in combination with Yellow Indicator Light (when ON) and push type start button momentary on (rubber coated).

or

2) Dashboard Master Ignition Switch with Aircraft Style Flip Shield in combination with Yellow Indicator Light (when ON) and momentary on flip type start switch.

I am leaning toward (1) the push button start switch.


Question: Just how thick is the ERA dashboard facia? This thickness will dictate the needed length of the threaded switch necks.

I would like to get a Longacre Push to Start Panel with indicator light and then take all the switches off of it and use them on the dash of the ERA. However, I am not sure how long the switch necks are? Just got off the phone with Pegaus and they went and measured the switch necks (4/10" starter and 3/10" push button, 1/16" indicator light)

Finish Line and Pegasus Racing do sell the necessary components.

Last Thought... if the ignition flip switch were a two pole model switch, then I could wire it so that in one setting I could disable the ignition but allow the starter motor to turn over the engine to pre oil the engine (if the starter button were depressed).

Then by switching the ignition to the second position I could turn on ignition and by depressing the starter button allow ignition to happen.

Has anyone done this?

(this is what 10 degree weather and progressing Cobra Cabin Fever produces...... ignition sickness manifested by delusions of push button ingnition grandure...)

[mr0077]

Just for the heck of it, I temporarily wired mine so the horn button was the starter button, and only the on/off part of the ignition switch was active (similar to an E-type Jag)...turn the key to "on", hit the button, it starts; hit the button with key off and crank motor over. Different, but I put it back stock after a short while...

[Excaliber]

My old Austin Healey 3000 was key to turn on, and button to push for the starter. The button was not close to the key and looked a lot like any other regular kind of button on the dash.

The good thing about this was: Several different times for various reasons others need to start the car. They could NOT figure out how to do that! I began to realize, this was a great theft deterent!

Ernie

[REDSC400]

Ernie:
My old Healey was the same. It was in recalling it that I fondly remembered the push to start button! You are correct, my Mom and Sister never could figure out that push to start stuff.. ever.
And today, that is so "foreign" that it would indeed be a great puzzle to most.

0077:
Thanks for sharing that input on the button. I just got to figure out what the wiring needs to be to enable that functionality.

Thanks Guys!

[Mr.Fixit]

why

[mr0077]

Art, all I did for the start circuit was to move the starter trigger wire from the terminal on the switch (center terminal I think) over to one terminal of the horn switch, then wire the other terminal of the horn switch back to an always on hot terminal...I used the power in to the ignition switch. If I had left it that way, I would either use the "start" position of the ignition switch to turn on the horn (by installing a 12V relay to ground the horn relay), or else install a hidden horn button, since I almost never use the horn anyway.

[cobrajeff]

Here is the rubber push-button starter I used on my ERA FIA. The toggle switch under the red flip-up protector is wired to the ignition coil (I can crank the engine to pre-oil if I want).



Starting up is a fun game of flip. flip, flip, jab, push, etc., etc. Lots of buzzing and whirring, and then finally... VvvaaRRrrooommm!! Ah, what fun!!




regards,

Jeff

[scottj]

REDSC400,

I have the Longacre setup in a car. The button activates the solenoid and turns the engine over whether the switch is on or not. The switch must be on for the MSD, gages, etc. A battery cut out switch kills everything.

Scott

[mr0077]

Fixit,
I had always wondered if the originals had a push button start switch (like my old E-Type), then decided to try it to see if I liked it...didn't, so put it back the way it came from ERA.
FWIW, I asked an old fella (about my age, heeheehee) that worked on the originals how it came stock...after thinking about it, he said they came with the push button working the horn, the starter hooked to the ignition switch...is that correct?

[DonC]

FWIW when mine is built it will have two safety covered switches mounted one above the other between the instruments (street dash) and the steering column. Yellow on top for the accusump (a spst standard toggle) and Red below for the starter (a spst momentary on toggle). Both will be always hot with the key switch controlling the ignition. Battery cut off switch with removable key in the trunk as an added precaution for when it will be parked for any amount of time out of my sight.
AM also thinking of mounting a red safety covered dummy switch in the center of the transmission tunnel with the word "EJECT" printed on the safety cover ust for grins.
DonC

[REDSC400]

Don:
Forget the Eject. Label it FLUSH.
For when passengers soil their Undergarments.

[Don]

Installed the Ron Francis Wire Works MS-21 Electric Master Disconnect with Toggle Switch, $84 with the solenoid. Toogle is mounted under the dash.

Mounted in the dash but not wired yet is the Honda S2000 red Start button, part number 35881-S2A-911, $34

The new 2004 Toyota Prius has a button similar in size to the Honda start button that is labeled Power, part # 89611 47010. I checked with a Toyota dealer a few weeks ago, not available yet unless needed for the Prius and a VIN had to be submitted with the order, It is expected to be available to anyone in 3 to 4 months

[Ikestaa]

We installed one similar to what other people have mentioned. Ignition switch is still in there, and still functions. A Lucas momentary button is just to the right of the horn button, and will turn the motor over whether the ignition is on or off.

[REDSC400]

Well, I did install the push button start switch (momentary on), the flip type Military Guarded ignition switch and a small green with chrome bezel ignition on light (light on with ignition is on).

This worked out very well. What I did was to use a small Xacto blade knife to cut a small X in the black dashboard covering and then inserted the drill bit thru the X so as not to spin the dash covering material.

I have my starter button switch set up so that if I push it with the ignition switch off, the starter does turn over the engine and thus pre lubes the engine.

I used the existing key switch hole for the starter button. This worked out well. So only two holes needed to be drilled.

I was very very aprehensive when I did the first test. Being color blind or challenged, I was just hoping that I got all the codes right on the wires. Had my son check the colors for me too.

Thanks to all who helped with suggestions and also thanks to Bob Putnam for the real nice wiring diagram.

To be honest, Bob really does do Yoeman's work in helping us all out with data and details after the ERA sale is complete. Thanks Again.

[DonC]

Art:
I agree whole heartedly with your assesment of Bob's contributions to the ERA experience. I have yet to ask a question of him when the answers were not only more than complete but all but immediate as well. I think we're extremely fortunate to have someone of his caliber working of ERA.
Bob, you can send the check by regular mail if you'd like.
DonC