My next winter project---push button start
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,015
Likes: 508
From: Hilton NY
There was no kit, I started with a Lexus switch on E-bay and designed around that. Only the Lexus switch contacts and three internal leds are retained. To make a kit would require a mating connector so that when the keyswitch is unplugged and removed the new system would plug into the stock wiring, I couldn't find any connector to match the car and doubt any exist to buy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 2
From: Katy TX
CI 3-4-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'09-'12
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Not bad for determination. The install looks clean too. it's too bad this can only work for 97-99 cars with passive remotes.
Theoretically though, if you are standing close enough to the car for the FOB to unlock the doors, your car can be stolen easily.
The C6 approach FOBs can only work from a couple of feet away from the door.
The C5 FOB has a much longer range.
Theoretically though, if you are standing close enough to the car for the FOB to unlock the doors, your car can be stolen easily.
The C6 approach FOBs can only work from a couple of feet away from the door.
The C5 FOB has a much longer range.
When I purchased my 99, I was unaware of the passive feature, but I now use it all the time. I know everyone says to buy the newest car available because of factory upgrades but so far I have found no reason to be less than satisfied with the 99 model. I'm a long way from being ready to attempt this mod but it's good to know it is compatible with the system I have
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Not altogether true, the passive remotes on the 97-99 models do have a on/off switch on the fob itself. IF you were in a situation where you were going to be passing near the car a lot, such as a car show ect, and was concerned about security all you would have to do is slide the switch to off.
When I purchased my 99, I was unaware of the passive feature, but I now use it all the time. I know everyone says to buy the newest car available because of factory upgrades but so far I have found no reason to be less than satisfied with the 99 model. I'm a long way from being ready to attempt this mod but it's good to know it is compatible with the system I have
When I purchased my 99, I was unaware of the passive feature, but I now use it all the time. I know everyone says to buy the newest car available because of factory upgrades but so far I have found no reason to be less than satisfied with the 99 model. I'm a long way from being ready to attempt this mod but it's good to know it is compatible with the system I have
I still give the OP a lot of credit for a job well done, but it's not for me.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,888
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From: Frederick, Maryland
Point noted, but my point was that the security of the vehicle now lies only with the passive remote that is known to malfunction at times ( that's why it was deleted from newer cars), otherwise it can easily be stolen. There is no more security in the start operation of the car whatsoever. If the car is left unlocked by accident or by remote malfunction, it can be taken. Period.
I still give the OP a lot of credit for a job well done, but it's not for me.
I still give the OP a lot of credit for a job well done, but it's not for me.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 554
Likes: 12
From: southeast
This is very nice - the practical convenience is not in getting rid of carrying some device that let's it happen - but it's not having to pull the keys out of your pocket and and get them in the ignition and turn it over.
I have a DD with push to start and it is very convenient.
There are aftermarket ways to accomplish this that are not DIY, but they are expensive.
Congrats on a clean mod!
I have a DD with push to start and it is very convenient.
There are aftermarket ways to accomplish this that are not DIY, but they are expensive.
Congrats on a clean mod!
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Nice job! I look forward to seeing the write up!
I look forward to seeing the write up!
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,015
Likes: 508
From: Hilton NY
I'm redesigning the circuit board with solid state relays instead of the 12 volt cube relays, this will allow a 5 volt control system instead of a 12 volt system in a reduced size. When you start a C5 the voltage can drop to 8 volts and below, in order to maintain the performance of the control circuits a special switching voltage regulator was used that keeps the circuits at 12 volts at all times and these regulators are no longer available. The Lexan switch doesn't just plug in and run the car, it plugs into a circuit board that was designed and milled on a CAD system. This circuit board does all the timing and switching as well as mounting the four cube power relays. There are no connectors that I know of to allow a circuit to be plugged in where the original ignition switch is; I had to machine two sizes of brass pins and make a connector. Cutting off the car connector isn't a good idea because the original ignition switch then can't be reinstalled if desired. This circuit uses the drivers' door switch to trigger a flip flop which fools the car into thinking that there is or isn't a key in the switch. There are other ways to do this, for example the parking brake switch could be used so that if the parking brake was on, the car would think there was no key and if the brake was off the car would think the key was in the ignition. I would like to improve the security as mentioned by corvettezman but don't have time right now but winter will be here soon enough.
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Nice job figuring it out and getting it to work. Like many others have said, a write-up would be awesome. Not something I will do to my car, but I give you credit for coming up with a working push-button start on the C5.
