Japan8

I briely glanced at the wiring diagram on the box and it appears that they are wired in at literally the starter switch (the position after "on" for your key). So it'd turn off by key like normal.

kidcas

so you would still have the key in the ignintion to start and stop it..... i was thinking you'd just get in and press start.... its still a cool feature, but it only saves you one additional turn on the ignition... cool none the less

Japan8

Gotta have the key as anyone could steal your car without it and especially with the 8, the key has a chip in it that is needed to be able to start the car...

Shocka

ive never really used or looked into a start button how does it work exactly

u insert the key turn then hit the start button? does the clutch need to be down when u hit the start button?

AWillsea

Yes, the steps are as follows:

1) Insert Key
2) Turn to "ON"
3) Depress Clutch Pedal while pressing the Start Button
4) Zoom Zoom

Shooter

Dumb question probably but Im gonna ask anyway....

With the start button installed could you still start the ol' fashioned way using the key or does the start button disable the key start?

AWillsea

Not a dumb question...You can start the car with either the key or the start button

Shooter

AWillsea,

Why did you decide on the cigarette lighter location? Did you try any other spots? Since I didnt see any pics in this thread, I guess you dont have a pic of the entire unit prior to cutting it with the dremel...I'd like to see the full unit so I could look at some other mounting locations......Where is the button on the RHD 8's?

glxyjones

yeah that looks like an awesome mod. I would definitely be interested in doing that. Although I'm not technically savy enough to try and do this without atleast a D.I.Y. thread. Other mounting idea's would be nice to know too!!

Good job man!!!

btw...I defintely like the rotor style push button a lot more than those generic one's...but those generic one's look to be mountable almost anywhere.

kidcas

i'm interested in the starter button too, but the rotary one is around $225, while the ones by pivot are on ebay for $60 and that's with the security feature..... the rotary one looks bettter, but i can't see paying almost 4x as much for it...

PJ-

.....If you still have to use the key in some fashion, why would you want a start button... just a cool thing?

kidcas

exactly..... from what i've read from the people have it, they swear its the coolest thing to just press the button hear the engine start.... i think its cool too, but just not $225 cool...

AWillsea

I chose the Cigarette lighter location for a couple of reasons. It was the only real place it would fit and I like having it in the center so passengers can see it. On RHD cars it replaces the coin holder. The mount it comes with is only for the RHD coin holder and will not fit LHD cars. The other place I consider mounting it was underneath my CD player in the blank plate where the MD player would normally be (but I don't have).

The main reason I didn't mount it there was I was afraid if I screwed up the cutting of the plate my dash would look like total crap until I could get a blank plate. I think if someone had a spare plate or was VERY confident with a dremel, under the radio would be an awesome install.

glxyjones,
How far are you from the Tappan Zee Bridge? If it isn't that long of a drive, I would be happy to install it with you at my garage. I have a full setup in my house (lift and all, not that you need it for the start button). I have pulled most of the panels of my 8 working mods and am very familiar with the car.

The wiring for the start button is the easiest part, mounting the button takes the most time.

By the way the other reason I chose the cigarette lighter is that there is NO SMOKING in my car and any accessories I use, get hard wired, I don't want pesky coil cords hanging around my console.

InuYasha

I read that the pushbutton starter was only for automatic transmissions. You installed it on an M/T?

How'd that work? I can't see where it would be different.

Japan8

They'd say that because of saftey concerns I'd imagine. In Japan... well you can start M/T cars without pushing the clutch in. That's a NA saftey measure. I can't see any other reason why.

AWillsea

Japan8,

I think that I just figured out the problem we have been having installing starter buttons on m/t cars! I could be wrong but...When you follow the directions on the install, 1 wire goes to the gauge cluster which when grounded provides power to the start button. My guess is, it is looking for the "P" light in an automatic transmission car to ground the trip lead in order to provide power to the start button. In order for those of us with M/T cars to use the starter button kit we have had to bridge the ground wire to the wire that goes to the gauge cluster.

What do you think?

Japan8

Yeah... that sounds real reasonable. Since in the gauge cluster there is a A/T shift display the starter button is wired into this...

kidcas

i've noticed between the glovebox and the radio there is a precut circle there in the dash.... could that be used for the started button location??? you'd have to reach across the radio, but its easy to see.....

also i found ones on ebay for $10..... they dont look as good and doesn't have "engine start" on them, but they are cheap, illuminated, universal for any car, comes with wiring and such....

pivot wants $109 for the security starter, which i don't understand cause you need the key to start... $79 for illuminated, and $49 for non-illuminated.... i also found pivot on ebay, $60 for illuminated....

glxyjones

AWillsea,
hmm...far enough that I had to look at a map to know where it was ...I'm in south jersey and about 1 1/2 hrs. from the meadowlands...if I get serious about doing it I will def send you a PM...thanks a lot for the offer though

I'm debating getting the cheaper pivot button and mounting it next to the DSC on the left...does anyone know if it's possible?

AWillsea

You can definitely get a cheaper button and install it next to the DSC. I just liked the fact that it was pretty much plug and play with factory connectors...

Dookie_Rx-8

its also cool if you engine stall all you have to do is push the button

AcesAreWld

Pushing the start button only turns over then engine while the button is pressed, right? If you just tapped the button it would not leave the starter engaged until the engine has started like in some cars, correct? So really you need to press and hold while the engine turns over until it starts.

...few more months until I can afford one... I can't wait.

--Geoff
"Aces Are Wild"

AWillsea

Correct...you hold the start button down until starts. It acts just like you were holding the key in the start position.

AcesAreWld

Cool, thanks for the quick reply. Another thing I may have read is that the red glow around the Mazda start button is only lit when the engine is off, and once it starts the light goes out. Any truth to that?

Thanks again... recent college grad, start work June 1st... MAYBE I'll buy byself this car for my birthday Feb 1st... maybe. :-)

--Geoff
"Aces Are Wild"

AWillsea

Not true about the red glow...It only lights up once the engine is in the on position and stays light until you shut the car off...You certainly won't regret saving up for an 8 for your B-Day!