Push Button Start

Update:

I got the RFID stuff, and now even have keyfob RFID tags that should work great. 

I've also decided on the button that will be controlling the system - it is the stock button out of the new Altimas.  It has a great feel and look to it, and has multiple LEDs that can dictate system status.

Sweet -- did you purchase a bunch of Alty start buttons from nissan or a nissan parts site?

Can you take a pic when you get a chance of your work re: this push button project -- i'm very interested to see it.  How does the RFID work?

I bought two from the local dealership - about $30 a piece, not a bad price considering the quality.  The unfortunate side is that I can't find the plug for it (it is custom) so I had to solder the wires directly to the back.  There are 8 wires total, so I used a cat5 cable.  I'm going to crimp a cat5 connector on the other end and then use a cat5 plug to make it easy to remove.

I've also already ordered new LEDs to convert it from amber to blue lighting.  Hopefully that will go well.

Here is a picture of the push button.  I've replaced the amber LEDs with blue LEDs and I'm pretty happy with the results.

That is EXTREMELY nice work --

Does the button have a starter kill built into the button circuitry --if not, how did you rig the starter kill? (i.e. without remote starting the car, when you get in, register the RFID, and push start .. how does is THEN kill the starter during ignition_on)?

Also .. do you have it so that you just press the button once and it starts the car automatically (i.e. employing the remote starter brain to start the vehicle) or do you have to hold down the start button until the engine has started appropriately?

How does ACC, and IGN work .. do you press the button sequentially? And the hold down for start?

I haven't started on the controls integration yet, so I don't have concrete answers to most of your questions.

I'm planning on building the 'ultimate' system in stages.  Stage 1 is to get the switch wired and working, which I've pretty much done.

Stage 2 will be getting all the lights and functions of the switch to work while still using the OEM key.  This would involve putting the key in the ignition and turning it to the 'ON' position, and then pushing the button to crank.  There won't be any engine monitoring so as long as you hold the button down it will crank.  The control system will be microprocessor controlled and will not only start the engine, but will stop it also (after all, the button is a start/stop button).  I plan to include a digital 'engine running' signal to allow the processor to decide when to start and when to stop.  My thoughts are, on modern fuel injected vehicles, you should be able to reference the fuel pump signal to determine if the car is running. 

Stage 3 will include the addition of the RFID circuitry and a tach reference.  At that point, you'll simply press the button and let it go and it will do the rest.  With the RFID I'm planning on turning on ACC with the RFID signal, and then turning on ignition power and starting the car when you push the button within the allotted time.