push button start

tommy... wrote: Well since we have not verified that is the starter wire...Maybe you can see why i am hesitant...But the other side of the switch would go to...Ignition wire or 12 volts......If you use   the ignition wire ,  it can only crank when key is turned on...! Lets verify that is the starter wire...And you will need to verify the ignition wire...Make sure you fuse the side of the switch that is attached either to ignition or constant...! Now on dropping accessory...When you turn the key to the crank position...Does all of your accessories turn off...If so...You could just crank the key while pushing button...! Now i really wish you would go get a multi-meter...This would tell us exactly whats going on...And make me feel better...

Thanks Tommy, It looks as though I am going to have to get a grip of myself and sort this out. I have a multimeter but once I have the column cowl off and can see the base of the ignition switch. There is no room to get a probe to the BLACK/ red wire at that point. The wire and plug it goes into are too tight up against the column. There was no free play and I was reluctant to go cutting anything for, as I said, I don't want to louse up the only means I have of cranking the car, hit and miss as it may be. I have an idea thought, and at my next attempt I will push a pin through the wire and connect that to the meter which will give me the information required regarding that wire. Unfortunately I won't be able to do anything for the next couple of days as I'm going to be away. However on my return I shall throw caution to the winds and do a bit of slicing and splicing. If I survive the inevitable flash fire I will return and post the result

If it aint broken, fix it 'til it is

The ignition wire on that vehicle is only about 1mm (18 gauge?) whereas the starter is 2.5mm dia. suggest a relay coil energised via the ignition and a 30amp feed to the relay, grounding the relay through the switch.  Wait I've said all this before.

Stop...Drop...and Roll...!M.E.C.P & First-Class

Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!

Right then I'm back. having had another look at the ign switch wiring, multimeter in hand I have established the following wires Red (hot) Black (Hot when Ign on) Red / Black (no power ign on or off) * Black / YELLOW * Black / White * Red / Brown (2) I was unable to get to the wires marked * whilst they were plugged into the ign switch. on removing the plug none had power to them. Replacing the plug I connected the RED / Black to Red with no effect, likewise the RED / Black to Black (ign on) no effect. My Logic dictates that by connecting two or more of these wires together should result in the starter cranking. Unable to get a specific wiring diagram for this model I have checked with various other VW polo models and from the scant information available RED / Black is always indicated as STARTER. i.e as indicated here Polo . However despite searching the net I can't find a definitive diagram of the ign switch wiring To be honest it's all Greek to me but I assume one of you learned gentlemen will understand it enough to point me in the right direction. Hopefully that direction will not be out into the wilderness. I appreciate your efforts and accept I am a pedantic old fart but I am sure the job can be done this way rather than extensive wiring to relays and fuse boxes wherein I am likely to blow the whole electrical system. Failing your help I'll have to save up my pension and go see an Auto electrician and help buy him a retirement home in sunnier climes.

If it aint broken, fix it 'til it is

Hold the phone, I did it. I now have a push button start and it works. Very simple too. Simply connect one side of the push button to the Black lead at the ignition switch. The other side of the switch is connected to the BLACK/ red wire. Turn on ign push button, engine cranks. This I tried earlier today but got nothing but after further investigation I found the connection I had made at the ignition switch B/R wire was bad. Redid the connection with a scotchloc connector and I was in business Many thanks to you for your input, sorry I was such a moron but the outcome was satisfactory and now anyone else with the same problem has a fix

If it aint broken, fix it 'til it is

T-Taps...Scotch-Locks...NO..NO...Especially in high current applications...! Did you fuse the one side of the switch wire that is attached to either 12v or Igntion...?M.E.C.P & First-Class

Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!

    Ah! Sorry I should have added that the scotchlocs were only used to tap into the wires whilst I figured it out and were removed once I had determined the connections. As it was too tight to get a soldering iron into the space available I had to make do with connector blocks that were secured and taped. Although the resulting circuit should still run through the original fuse I added another one in line just to be on the safe side. I then cranked the engine for about 30 seconds and checked for undue heat in the wires. There was none so I am relatively happy that it is "job done". Oh! and there is a Black & White wire which goes into the plug to the ign switch. I don't know what it does but it appears to be OEM. Maybe part of the diesel configuration. Sorry if I gave you palpitations and visions of my old heap bursting into flames. I may not be very bright but completely stupid I'm not. Even though 'er indoors would probably disagree. Again many thanks for your help and concerns. I know where to come if I require more assistance in the future. (Do I hear sounds of grown men crying, Shouting NO NO and running for the hills?) You are all stars

If it aint broken, fix it 'til it is

Come anytime you have questions...The first one is always free...!M.E.C.P & First-Class

Go slow and drink lots of water...Procrastinators' Unite...Tomorrow!