Has anyone in here made the conversion to a "Push Button Start" in their C5?

Was it a success or a fail?

Any issues or complications installing or after install?

Worth doing or better to leave as key start?

If it was a success which "kit" is the best to use?


Thanks for any input anyone may have on this.

 

LOL!! The issue with PUSH BUTTON START is vehicle SECURITY!!
The C6/C7 has a FOB that interfaces with the security module inside the dash that recognizes that the OWNER has the CORRECT FOB and that allows the car owner to start the engine with the push button. The C5 DOES NOT have that module
I can add a push button to ANY car and make it work. The secret is satisfying the Vehicle SECURITY requirements of your C5. The resistor chip reader in the front of the ignition switch reads the VATS chip and tells the BCM that ALL the security requirements are met and completes a security mode for the BCM so that it allows the Theft Deterrent Relay to complete a GROUND CIRCUIT which allows the engine to start and RUN.

The resistor chip in your key tells the BCM that you have the correct KEY with the correct resistance chip. Without satisfying that VATS circuit, the engine will NOT crank or run. The KEY allows you to turn the ignition switch so that you power up all the correct modules with ignition ON power. So,,,,, You have to have a KEY to turn the switches on and a resistor chip “VATS” to complete the security stuff.
SO, If you are willing to insert the key into the ignition and turn it to RUN,, Just installing a push button to crank the engine is FIRST GRADE SIMPLE.

Other wise, if you can easily resolve the C5 SECURITY ISSUES, you should go work for GM Corporate and design electrical circuit for the C8 or C9
If your willing to insert the key into your current ignition switch, turn it to RUN then ADDING a PUSH BUTTON IS SIMPLE!

 

Pretty harsh and short sighted. If remote start can work on a C5, I'm sure push button start would work. Why can't the module be proximity based like they are in the new cars?

Poor guy shouldn't have asked a question on this forum huh?

 

Thanks, I appreciate your "response" and honestly would have preferred a lot less cocky. Secondly, you didn't mention anything I didn't already know.

I came across this mod browsing on the Internet and could not find any confirmation to it's success or not.

My interest in the mod is not for the sake of being "lazy" or unable to handle "turning the key". I have an appreciation for making my ride unique by adding newer technologies while keeping them still subtle and almost easily overlooked. This would fit into that category. So here I am doing some "research".

Posted were some simple questions made out of curiousity as to whether it has "passed or failed".

 

I've seen posts about doing it, but don't recall anyone actually doing it. Still, with the kits for this it shouldn't be that big a deal. Just wire up the accessory, run and start circuits and then either use a relay to connect the VATS resistor when the run circuit turns on or simply connect the VATS resistor all the time.

 

Yes, not much out there for sure. I did see a video of one installed. Guy had a proximity alarm that disarmed when he got close to the car and he had already installed the button and showed starting the car with no issue.
However, says nothing of the install or any problems encountered.
This is what prompted me to ask around.
Hopefully, someone on here has done such a mod. Would be interesting to hear how it went, considering the VATS issue.

 

I designed mine in 2013 with solid state relays so there are no ignition switch contacts to burn out, my '98 has the passive option on the FOB which is used to lock/unlock the doors and arm/unarm the system. The circuit includes a security switch for normal, high security no start and over ride. All the previous posts about this subject are in the archives. The main security of any C5 is the car being locked and that lock doesn't read the key resistor; if a person knows how and has access to the inside of the car they can remove the ignition switch, plug in conventional switches, bypass the VATS and steal the car.

 

"A guy I know" said this mod added 50 wheel h.p. to his stock C5.

Oh, wait ....... Never mind ......................

 

If I was to add the push button start which would be awesome, then I'd also add a hidden kill switch of some sort.

 

As a matter of fact, I'm planning to install a keyless entry/pushbutton start system tomorrow.
It's got the same sort of proximity fob that you find in the C7.
I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Dirty Dog - please do keep us informed of how it goes. Plenty of pics and details would be great.

 

My 2015 Jeep has a keyless ignition, and I don't really care for it. I have this nagging fear that somehow or other, I'm going to get into it and be able to start it and drive off, without the key in my possession. Then when I get to my destination, I'm going to shut the vehicle off, only to find that I don't have the key with me, so I can't re-start the vehicle to get home.


But, to each his own.......

 

I am sure they can be fitted to work. I even had a remote start fitted on an very old buick.

However, to me that is one thing I do not like. I much prefer the key and being in control of when and how long the car cranks instead of letting the computer/car control how long it cranks.

Over several decades of working on cars and being involved in the hobby/sport/etc. I have had a number of times when I just wanted to bump the starter without starting the car, and other times when I was trying to start the car but needed to stop cranking before the car started.

So the key start is actually a feature that I like better in the C5's and earlier than button start in the C6 and C7's.

Good luck with your choice.

 

Another "not a big fan of push start", but whatever tickles your fancy. It's cool (I guess), but no selling feature by any means. Worst I ever drove was a new (at the time) BMW that you had to put the key in, then beside that was the start push button. Who thought this genius method up?
Borrow the concept from a car with a passive FOB and I'm sure it can be made to happen. Turning a key is easy and sufficient.

 

In essence you would accomplish a push button start the same way you would accomplish a remote start. You would need to wire in a resistor with the same value as the one in your key to trick the TDM. Same thing anyone would do with a remote start.

I don't see the point of a push button. I'd want to keep the key even if there were a push button I think. But you might wanna put a kill switch somewhere just in case.



IDK about the corvette, but having dealt with a sudden vats failure on another car...yeah - you can bypass the vats/tdm module. But you would still need to tune it out of the pcm or you wouldn't get too far as the car would either only run for a minute or two or cut fuel all together.

 

Awesome!! I look forward to hearing your results!

 

Ha! I was driving my daughter-in-law's Nissan with keyless ignition. Ready to return from destination. NO KEY!! I pressed start and it cranked right up. Turns out I had dropped key under seat. Whew!

 

Along that line, my barber and his FIL come to shop together, in the barber's Infinity. Barber gets out of car and FIL gets into driver's seat, then goes down the street, to get some doughnuts for shop. One problem....my barber has the "key" in his pocket, FIL doesn't. Needless to say, it created an issue for FIL, when he came back out of doughnut shop. Fortunately, doughnut shop wasn't too far down the street.

 

Would be, but isn't happening. All you'd get is pictures of masses of wires and me looking confused.

I'll review both the product and the company when it's done. Still working on it as of this moment.

Can't happen. If I hang the fob on the wall next to the Vette (which I can't imagine doing...), I could start it without the fob. Until I got out of range of the fob (about 10'...), at which point I'll be going back to pick up the fob.

Key and pushbutton is, I agree, silly in most cases. I did have a beater Jeep that worked that way, though. This was a barely street legal hard core offroader. The ignition switch wore out. It was easier and cheaper to add a push button than to replace the switch.
Pushing a button is easy and sufficient.

Why do you think a separate kill switch is needed?

The bypass module is all that is needed. As far as the PCM is concerned, your key is in the ignition switch.

Thanks. Hopefully it'll be finished today.

The fob stays in your pocket, so this isn't really going to be an issue. It can also be used with a credit card sized/shaped remote that stays in your wallet. This has the advantage of making it virtually impossible for you to leave home without your license, credit cards, etc.

I don't lend my car to people.

 

That was my point but grumpy pants lambasted this guy for posting an idea. As long as the car thinks the key is in it then it should work.

For security you could do a few things, possibly have a Bluetooth connection for your phone to authorize the car starting? Technology now is very capable of what he wants.