Push Button Start

Update!

I finally acomplished my goal - OEM style pushbutton start in my G35.

If anyone wants to see a video of this working here is a link:

Pushbutton Start System - ~10meg AVI

This system still needs the key to be in the 'ON' position, but I may take it a step farther and implement the RFID 'keyless' start.  Unfortunately, the RFID version would be much more complicated and require almost starting from scratch to design the system to be compeletely independent.

Ya know dude..... I'm not much into that kinda of "don't fix it  if it ain't broke" kinda thing....  BUT THATS REALLY F'n COOL!

Nice work Kevin!

Whats the total investment, $ (minus your time) THEN, what kind of time do you have into this?

I'm not sure on how much it cost me total.  The button itself was $32 or so from Nissan.  The circuit boards aren't cheap, as they are custom made (I did in fact design them myself).  If you order them in low quantities like here they are $6-7 a piece.  The rest of the components weren't that expensive - definately under $100 in parts total (not counting tooling required to make the two harnesses).

Time wise, that is another story.  I designed everything myself, so there was very significant time invested.  I started this project with a ton of research before I came up with a basic hardware layout, I then designed the circuit board around my hardware design.  Once I had the hardware I started to write the program for the 8mhz processor.  I'm still not actually done with the programming, but the program is to the point that it works extremely reliably and provides the basic functions I was looking for.  The next step is to add 'tach learning' and 'push and release' start which will allow the vehicle to start without holding the button down - basically like a remote start.  In the very long run, I would like to integrate the OEM keyfob to the circuit so I can make it peroform remote start functions as well.

Howie, thanks for the compliments.  I will try to post some pictures of the 'finished' circuit board that has the customary green solder mask and is silk screened.  They look much more 'professional' when they are finished.

There is no 'value' in it.  This is purely an aesthetic mod.

The original plan was to design and build a completely keyless system.  This is a step in that direction.

I thought about the DEI remote start with a (-) activation input.  However, the 5 second delay would be a bit annoying and it lacks any ability to control the status LEDs.  It also doesn't provide a way to shut the car off.  So, even using a remote start platform there would be more to add to make it work.  From my perspective, with my abilities, it made more sense to just build the entire thing from scratch.  There isn't much complexity in a remote start system, especially compared to everything else required to make this work.

It's kind of funny, I started this project for an installer friend to install in a customers car, and ended up putting it in my car instead.  My friend is no longer installing, so he didn't have a need for it.  I guess it's more then just an aesthic mod to me, its a sign of acomplishment and a 'trophey' for all the hours I put in to it.

Once the car is drivable (ie remote start disabled) it provides no way of shutting the car off.  You can not drive a DEI remote start car with the remote start engaged (tach cut off and time cut off).  Therefore, once you are driving the car and the timer expires there is then no way to use the added button to shut the vehicle off.

If you are using the Honda S2000 button the DEI part would work great (engine start only, no indicators).  But, when using an engine start/stop button with indicators I don't think it really serves a purpose in the overall picture.