Hi guys, I'm new to the forum, but have found a lot of interesting information here.

I just came back from Japan with a couple of things for my RX-8 after visiting Japanparts in Tokyo.
I have a question about the Mazda genuine start button kit. I read somewhere that it only fits automatic cars but after reading some threads I found out that if I connected the cable going to the gauge cluster to ground instead it would work, and it did, sort of.

According to Graham at Japanparts he has sold a number of start button kits to aussies with manual cars and they should work also on these. The problem is that the car should not start unless the clutch and brake are fully pressed. In the japanese accessories catalogue there are pictures to support this as well, but I cannot see how this would be possible as there are no cable to be connected to the sensors of the pedals.

One problem is that I cannot understand the Japanese instructions, one picture shows another cable that I assume goes to the pedals but that was not included in the kit.

Is there any english version of the installation instructions?

Is there anyone who has got this to work?

Cheers,

/Fred

 

Fred... welcome to the forum.

There is cable to the clutch as far as I know - it is to kill the cruise control when pressed.

Do not have a DSC button - but I am happy to translate.


BTW: What does Graham and Koji's office looks like?

 

The engine computer can tell if the brake and clutch pedal are depressed. In fact you can read these sensors with the latest sCANalyser beta.

 

Their office was kind of hard to find, situated in a regular apartment a couple of stops from Shinjuku.

"Taka" what do you mean you do not have a DCS button?

Graham told me that they have sold dozens of these kits to OZ and the UK without any problems. Mazda also only sell one kit with one product number, so the kits for A/T an M/T should be the same. It would be very strange if Mazda bathered making another wiring layout for OZ models only, not likely really. So why does it not work.

I think the key is the cable running to the gauge cluster, that cable is enabling the button when grounded. In the installation ínstructions this is running to pin 24 on the 24pin connector at the back of the gauge cluster. When connected to there it did not work, and as others on this forum I think this may be for A/T models to verify 'P' position by looking at the lamp.

Now, I have connected that cable directly to ground and the button works to start the car, but this is obviously not the correct behaviour. The button is always enabled and lit up when ignition key is turned to on, this is no good as I can start without pressing the brake and clutch and even when the engine is running.

That cable I think should should instead be connected to the cable disabling the cruise control if I could locate that and that in turn provides ground. Also, the button should be disabled when engine is running.

There is a second "mystery" cable in the instruction, I would be interested in what is mentioned about that.

If the installation diagram is true for both M/T and A/T, then I cannot see any other possibility that OZ cars have different, or my car has faulty wiring.

 

Taka being stupid I meant the starter button I don't have.

I think the button will work.

 

I have always though it kinda geeky cool to get one of these, especially since the upgraded starter motors came along. I just think it should have a shutdown button as well

Let us know how you get it sorted.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

Hymee,

Start button, yes cool, very retro, my MGA has one!

Stop button??? Hmm too Thunderbirds I think!!

 

Hmm retro it may be, but these are the cars that are selling with a start button:


Honda S2000, Mercedes SLR, Pagani Zonda, Ford GT, and .... the Bugatti Veyron

 

and Ferrari 430 of coz.
as well as host of new family cars like BMW3, IS250 etc

 

Hmm, my first car, a dreadful British thing had a starter pull-out thingy. You turn the ignition key, then pulled out the choke just so, and then pulled on the starter. The car would go er..er...er, and if you were really lucky and the electrics hadn't fused into an unrecognisable lump and the pistons hadn't rusted to the cylinders, it might just start. Independent starter buttons just make me think of the automotive bad old days. Now if you could flip a cap on the gear lever to reveal the firing button for twin 20mm cannon, that could be a gadget I could think about buying.