push button start

Hi I have a '99 Volkswagen Polo 1.9 SDI 4 door. Ancient but Good. The ignition switch is faulty in that when turned to the 'start' position, 9 times out of 10 nothing happens. I have established that it is the switch that is faulty and intend to bypass the 'start' position by installing a push button start ie turn on ignition then push start button to engage the starter. I think the wire I need to tap into is red and black (at ign switch), I will connect that to one side of the push button... what do I connect the other side of the push button to? Your advice on this would be much appreciated My thanks in advance

If it aint broken, fix it 'til it is

you have the choice,direct 12 volt or ignition switched with a relay. i suggest ignition cause direct 12 volt will let the starter run even with the key off. don't forget to turn off accessory during start.

Defitnely not the starter or solenoid...ey...? If the wire you need is RED / black...i assume this is your starter wire...? You can use a switch to activate a relay...then the relay supplies power to the starter wire...I have never added  a push-to-start...But i guess you could use a momentary switch...One side to the RED / black...The other side to a good power(12v) source...Make sure you fuse the power wire...Also...you will have to make sure the momentary switch is capable of handling the input/output...And if you want to get really crazy...there are some diagrams on here for using the one button to power up everything...Acc...ign's...etc...!M.E.C.P & First-Class

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

Most push switches won't handle the juice in that wire you're safer like this:- push button switch, one side to ground, (earth), other side to relay 85, ignition (black wire) to 86, constant 12volt+ (thick red) fused at 30 amps to 30, starter output (RED / black) to 87. N.B. remove glovebox, oup to right, there's the loom (assuming this is a UK r/h/drive spec), they are all in that loom, even ground wires (plain brown) or heater grounding bolt at the top of the passenger kick panel (look to the left), then mount the push switch in the glove box, easy wiring with short leads, push button in glovebox  = more security.

Apologies for the delay and thanks for the input. Please bear with me as I'm not too familiar with vehicle wiring. I had assumed that, the RED / black wire, which is(?) the starter wire, already goes to a relay, as it's not heavy enough to take full starter load. This being the case then the switch will, when turned to the start position, connect this wire to something which completes the circuit. Could that be ground/earth? Or am I completely off track here. Howie II, I liked the sound of your advice but I'm afraid I lost the plot after "other side to relay 85". A slightly more explanatory version in words a moron like me could understand might help. As I read it, and as I have only two connections on the button, I connect one side to ground the other to relay 85. The rest????? Cormiermc. "don't forget to turn off accessory during start." that sounds ominous, what are the implications there. And I thought this would be a simple task. To recap. When I try to start the car, if I'm lucky and hold the key in just the right position the starter operates as normal, most other times nothing the key turns the starter doesn't engage. Extensive investigations confirm the ignition switch is at fault. Yes I could fit a new ignition switch but the DIY job is fraught with problems and my local dealer(should that be stealer) would charge more than the car is worth. So a cheap but effective fix is required. For anything else I would chop a few wires and use trial and error but in this case if I blow it I could lose the only way I currently have of starting the thing. Again thanks for the help so far and I will await anything further

If it aint broken, fix it 'til it is

Well...If you have a meter...You can check to see if there is voltage on the starter wire during crank...If not...Can probably assume its the cylinder...On the other hand...It should not be that hard to wire up something to just crank starter wire...Alot cheaper too...! A buddy did one on his daily driver...Was just a momentary switch...Picked up at local parts store...I have used a few momentary switches in airhorn applications w/ no problems.(i would think a starter is a little higher up on the current scale)..I believe i used a ground output...Been awhile...M.E.C.P & First-Class

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

Yes Tommy that's all I need. I have a purpose made "Start" button, and need it to crank the Starter/engine by replacing the connection made through the key switch which I have established is faulty. In order to do this I need to know, having tapped into the black & Red wire at the ignition switch and connected to one side of the push button, where to connect the other side of the button? Does it go to ground or to live? or is there more to it than that?

If it aint broken, fix it 'til it is

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...M.E.C.P & First-Class

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