How to Install Push Button Start in your Car

/ strange.garage
Watch me figure out how to install a switch panel with push button start in my truck, The kit didn't come with instructions, so maybe this will help you figure out how to install one in your car.
DISCLAIMER, remove your battery BEFORE doing any wiring in your truck/car!
Also, I didn't use the relay included with my kit. Since there were no instructions, I can only assume that the relay is to make the start button hot after the ignition switch is flipped. The result of this is you can hit the start button at any time, and the truck won't start unless the ignition is flipped. Oh no.

[@shannonbrooks8834]

I wired mine up after watching this video. 2005 F150 FX4. Hit the starter switch and my neighbors blender came on.... A work in progress.

[@StrangeGarage]

Yours has a PATS (passive anti-theft system) chip in the key, it's an extra step to get it to work. Lots of good forums on how to bypass that system. Good luck, and thanks for the funny comment!

[@deandean1400]

I purchased same switch panel and was puzzled when I started the installation. I found your video and the rest is history. You are a gentleman and a scholar! Thanks!!!

[@buddydupuis1271]

This was, by far, the best electrical guide I have yet seen, pretty much for anything car related. Short and concise descriptions, perfect execution with practical test, loved it! Will use this when I purchase basically the same thing to replace my failing ignition switch on my 1990 jeep cherokee. New subscriber gained!

[@mateymate3066]

how did it go with your ignition switch?

[@ess2586]

95 Mustang GT 5.0 owner her....THANK YOU for this!...After becoming tired of spending $$ on broken stock ignition switch problems, I decided to go fully keyless... My main obstacle is the ignition wiring module . You explained very well how to figure out what goes where with a multimeter....huge help!

[@StrangeGarage]

Glad I can help man! Once you figure out your voltage, dont forget to disconnect your battery while you wire it up. Some of those fuses are serious $$$. People always say "Just use your multimeter", and never explain further. Most people have no idea how to use one, so I wanted to make sure I wasn't one of "those guys". Good luck man!

[@lowsatanas]

Sooooo what your saying is I can have multiple hot wires coming from car going into the push start module? Because I’m in the same boat as the other guy, 97 mustang and it’s a lot of continuity through the wires so I wanted to just splice them together and go like that but was scared 😂 so could I?

[@DanielJaegerFilms]

Loved your wiring diagrams! You definitely deserve more subscribers!

[@StrangeGarage]

+DanielJaegerFilms Don't worry, It's going to happen soon enough:) thanks for watching!

[@StrangeGarage]

On a side note, I have gotten lots of new subscribers. Good luck is on the way for this guy, maybe. lol.

[@inhisnameislay3401]

LOL so freaking cool had the exact same situation and it was definitely a bucket list cross off. thanks for normalizing my crazy existence

[@kinqcurlz8662]

that license plate killed me XD

[@StrangeGarage]

Alex I’m glad you got a sense of humor. My wife didn’t think it was funny at all.

[@jogaton7994]

XD

[@ksubswithnovideos-iz4kx]

Alex lmao bigdik

[@drift5170]

RIP

[@jacksonplaysairsoft1609]

Hahahah XD

[@ArZer]

i just found this channel and already love it, i love the Licence plate

[@goodpim]

I'm not totally mechanically-inclinded so things like this only make sense when I'm actually doing it myself but your video makes me feel confident to do it without much else besides this video. Thank you!

[@jarrodabel4529]

Should totally leave the panel, looks great...and that horn is a special little guy. Love you videos, keep-em coming.

[@StrangeGarage]

I appreciate that man! I'm working hard. I'm going to make a plexi glass back-lit switch panel with custom writing on my CNC machine, exactly how i want it, you know? It probably won't happen for months though, lol. Tell your friends!

[@philjohnson8184]

You seem like you might have the same problem I do... Too many projects and not enough time. You should just use one of those label makers to label your switches until you get around to doing the CNC project. I love my label maker. That reminds me... MORE LABELS!!!

[@StrangeGarage]

Phil Johnson You got my number there! Definitely too many projects. It’s good though, because I have enough projects to keep my channel busy.

[@StrangeGarage]

Phil Johnson You got my number there! Definitely too many projects. It’s good though, because I have enough projects to keep my channel busy.

[@SpadeNya]

Freaking awesome dude. This is exactly what I needed. I plan on working out how to make a fingerprint scanner on an Arduino act as an all in one relay. The wiring diagrams in this video are ON POINT AND USEFUL AS HELL! THANK YOU!

[@fusseldieb]

Probably a bit too late to respond, but get a ESP32. It is compatible with the Arduino IDE and you can scan for BLE devices. Maybe you know for what I'm going here hehe

[@kirbycollins3223]

The Horn in the Middle of the Night was the Best Idea Ever! INSPIRING!💪😇🤪 Fun Video!

[@StrangeGarage]

Yeah I probably upset a couple people with that one, lol. I've accidentally scared several of my neighbors with that thing.

[@beaujohnston4949]

"Because we follow the rules here at strange garage"......SUBSCRIBED

[@mateymate3066]

Genius! I want one of these in my Van! ..keep on making the world a strange place!

[@StrangeGarage]

Don't give me too much credit. The only smart thing I did was make the video, I had to do something one way or another. I'm glad you liked it, thanks for being a Stranger😎

[@martinnegron8692]

Kudos to you, best "simple" explanation. Thanks

[@brandonstewart5398]

Dude finally. I've been looking for a straight forwards video to wire a start button in my F150 (97) for damn week. Thank you.

[@StrangeGarage]

Oh, same truck. Nice!

[@Blougheed]

watched this video with my new 7.1 surround sound headphones...@ 6:40 your dog barked.... i just spent 5 minutes looking for my dog that was out in the yard cause i thought she was stuck... great video!

[@StrangeGarage]

+Blougheed dude, if I edited out every clip where that dog barked I would never have any footage. Sammy is a maniac! Lol, that's funny though. What kind of dog do you have?

[@ramhornjoe]

Nice post, I have one of these coming for my 89 F250 don't have the nifty horn but my ignition decided to spin all the way around the other day and instead of opening a potential can of worms by opening up the column this seemed a simpler solution. Thanks you got a new and dare I say totally strange subscriber

[@StrangeGarage]

ramhornjoe Thanks man, welcome to my channel. That's super frustrating about your truck! Does your ignition still "work" or is it totally wrecked? Mine won't hold a tumbler anymore, so I was SOL. I'm putting another panel in my boat in the coming weeks, I haven't decided how much detail I'm going to go into, but if you come up with any questions/issues just give me a shout and I'll try to work it into my next vid. Thanks for watching!

[@badlandman8168]

Quick security tip for anyone. Since this requires no key just hide a toggle switch somewhere that is on the push button start circuit. If you have a rubber shifter boot, a good place is under there.

[@erictownsend8711]

Clear as mud, but impressive knowledge to be able to figure that out. Nice work.

[@chillaxter13]

Living in Buckley, I swear I recognize the housing style right down the hill from me... Hope to see you on the road someday! Great project, (except the plywood, of course)!

[@talulasnow]

If you ever end up selling that car, the next owner is going to look at all that and say ''What the hell happend here?''. :D

[@StrangeGarage]

+polar bear18 doesn't hold a candle to how I got It! It was totally jacked! I had to replace front and back seats, and you still couldn't start it with the key. I'll send them a KZbin link when I sell it. That'll answer lots of questions.

[@Rdlerke]

i like how you sit up straight and proper in your truck.

[@StrangeGarage]

+Rdlerke I didn't really think about it until you mentioned it. Glad you like it though.

[@TheElevenBravo]

Great job, sir! -Loved the sense of humor! ........and keep making videos, man!

[@justinjfritz88]

Great vid! I've done some similar work in my own vehicle with air horns and lights. My one caution to your viewers is that after a bit of night driving the little red LEDs on the dash drove me nuts! I used a couple of coats of red latex paint and the wifes nail polish to dim'em down. Stay Strange bro

[@StrangeGarage]

Yeah way too bright! My truck is really just a dump runner, so it doesn't get a lot of nighttime driving, fortunately. Thanks for watching bro! Glad to have another Stranger.

[@MrRx7luvr]

Ha ha ha. license plate at :22 surprised the DMV didnt have anything to say about that.

[@StrangeGarage]

+Mitch Knight they practically insisted.

[@beta4201]

Best tutorial for this on this entire planet

[@StrangeGarage]

Hey thanks a lot!

[@kennyg.4329]

Very good description and schematic simple yet effective I've seen people really over complicate things like that. KISS principal utilized well. New subscriber now and because you remind me of a dear friend of mine I have not seen for years. Good on ya keep up the good work.

[@highwayroadrunner206]

Awesome Video. Perfect for my 78' Ford Courier that is my project truck. Thanks again. Greenville, NC

[@quintonclark2339]

I’m high rn so run and I’ve done a basic push button start. Starter and battery to a button. But this looks fun asf.

[@davechatelle6505]

I don't see a problem with any of the configuration you chose. Looks good to me; I would leave it just the way you have it in the video.

[@duskydalton7156]

I’m totally doing this in my metro project! Hopefully after watching this a couple more times I get it a bit better.

[@StrangeGarage]

You got this dude. All the technical mumbo-jumbo isn't really important, just make it work, and unplug your battery before you wire stuff, otherwise you'll burn up the expensive big ass fuses that connect everything (I did that on MY metro actually when I replaced the ignition). Good luck!

[@fluffy2227]

Seriously appreciate this video. I lost my keys to my 4th gen and im going to attempt what you did haha

[@OurDreamTennesseeHome]

Walked out at "doner battery" twice thinking my dog was barking... lol. great video, great diagrams for us wire noobs...

[@StrangeGarage]

Randall Clark My dog is seriously desperate for attention. Austrailian Shepherds have a lot of energy! Glad you could benifit from the video man! Good to hear!

[@mariorowland8342]

Your voice sounds like the guy on Property Brothers. Nice video

[@StrangeGarage]

I've never actually watched the show. Gonna have to check it out. Those are the twin brothers, right?

[@mariorowland8342]

@@StrangeGarage Yes

[@HISL67]

This guy seems pretty cool love ur license plates

[@StrangeGarage]

Thanks man, I try to keep life pretty chill.

[@daddydawg1902]

Bought the same Panel for my '90 F-250. No prob with the Ignition.. I just wanted one for a Long time now and my son-in-Law needs one for his '95 Ranger. (Starts with a screwdriver) Thought I'd try this on Mine then buys him one if it works as a present. I'm using the relay that comes with it but some say it's not needed. Good Job on the video and I agree about those wiring diagrams... got a headache right now from trying to figure them out...

[@StrangeGarage]

The only reason for the relay is to stop the starter from spinning until the "On" switch is flipped. So no, you really don't need it. On my old truck you could hit the start button anytime and the starter would spin, but the truck wouldn't start till you flipped it to "on". Good luck man, thanks for watching!

[@daddydawg1902]

@@StrangeGarage Thanks for the quick reply.. I'll give it a try. One other question .. I noticed when you cut the connector off and determined the connections between them to wire-nut them together under the dash... I understand the two you 'hot-wired the Push-button with... But what about the Toggle.. Can you Use those same as the constant Voltage to the Input side of the toggle or is that what the one wire that was not connected to any thing for.

[@whatyousaidbud]

So glad you removed the ignition barrel, too many people install a button start and leave the ignition barrel installed meaning you have to insert the key and turn it to position 1 and then press the button which is completely pointless! Takes longer than just turning the key all the way!

[@kevincofield3856]

Many people do that if the key is chipped.

[@davidguye4147]

Not even gonna lie, but I ran across this by looking up how to bypass a starter solenoid for pb start on my Mitsubishi 3000gt and deadass just learned how to Hotwire a car

[@Sonicdude10]

I did the same thing to an old off road only Toyota I had. Lock cylinder was destroyed. Switch still worked and for some time I had it screwed to my dash with a key head JB welded into it so I could turn it. Worked like stock as it was the stock ignition switch. I finally ditched it in favor of switches and buttons as I added more stuff and needed more switches. I did mine DIY style as I had access to all kinds of switches and buttons. I ended up with a single master switch for all vehicle power and a key button for the engine crank. Even had a simple metal panel sitting in place of stock radio everything mounted to. Wish I still had that truck...

[@chooman07]

HAHAH special little guy, got a soft spot for that horn

[@chooman07]

i was laughing so hard

[@JohanGavieres]

Was looking at the same one from eBay. Happy I found this video 👍🏼 funny thing is I want buy it because of the switches because it’s cheaper to buy it as this set then as each one.

[@StrangeGarage]

Iamjdmgear Seriously, couldn't believe it was cheaper to buy the set. My main motivation literally was just to have somewhere to mount my horn button. Glad I could help, thanks for watching!

[@davidcraft4909]

That's pretty good how you explained a simple way to get it all worked out. fortunately for me My samurais key switch only has 3 or 4 wires and Mine will be way easier. I was just prepping myself for installing a switch like the one you are using. I lost the key and its hard to get the lock cylinder for a samurai without replacing a big mechanism thingy ma bob.

[@4909ak]

Subscribed just cause of the horn, ordering a train horn for my trucks and boat soon haha

[@StrangeGarage]

+Wilbur Katasse hell yeah man. What kind of boat you have?

[@4909ak]

Strange Garage a 24ft hewescraft Pacific Cruiser

[@StrangeGarage]

Wilbur Katasse oh Nice! Probably caught some good fish on that bad boy! I'm building my first boat right now from a 17' bayliner capri.

[@4909ak]

Strange Garage Yeah haha living in Alaska spend a lot of time on the water, catching halibut and pulling crab pots

[@GaryHughes]

Bought my switches separately and things seemed to work fine... except no signals but thanks to your video, I'm guessing I need to trace another Acc wire from under the dash. BUT: After about 10/15 min my primary power switch gets extremely hot to the touch. I'm afraid I'm going to end up with another electrical fire. Any idea why? (It's a 20A lighted metal switch from local auto parts shop)

[@AsiAzzy]

Speaking of hotwiring. Due to a very bad starter.. for a while a vehicle that it is not cared for (nor driven) at my work had this procedure of starting: Put the contact on (and shift to neutral - manual gearbox, also the parking brake was not working too well), open the hood and there we had laying around the solenoid wire and the starter wire.. so touch the solenoid wire to + and then touch the starter wire with plus. after that release the cables and tuck them back into the makeshift insulation out of a hose. Did that like 10 times by now in the past two years. (the car does not require MOT as it is driven only on private property of the company.. big enough to actually drive. It also doesn't have plates)

[@justinwilliams1532]

I'm just now watching a video but I was really coming first cuz I don't really like to waste my time but I went ahead of his describe hit the like button from just off the strength of the support of others and self so hopefully I'm not let down LOL

[@319speed]

I've been wanting that panel for like ever and never have bought one hahahahaha

[@Dirtymax_Danimal]

I’m 30 seconds into this video and I’m already subscribed!!! Freakin A!!

[@dangerdoberman]

Whoa thanks! Nice truck. I've got a '97 Blazer. Push button time!

[@deeznuttz9947]

BigDik 🤣🤣🤣🤣☠☠☠ , awesome video bro

[@TomYakov]

I liked the way you explained everything.

[@terryscroggins2790]

Awesome! Putting that same unit on my’55 Chevy pickup...👍🏽

[@andrewwilson7329]

I have a 2002 dodge Dakota that I'm currently starting with a screwdriver cause I lost my key how would you wire up a start switch in that?

[@philiplawson230]

When the junkyard steering column isn't an option! anyhow good work.

[@angryzombie8088]

Thank you for the video! Nice explanation easy to understand. I want to use this switch panel for my PC since I place the PC on the wall rather than on the table.

[@cre25]

This was informational af bro! Awesome vid.

[@StrangeGarage]

Cr_25 You’re welcome, thanks for watching bro!

[@benzzyyy1744]

Hey man i want to donthe exact same this but because my key ignition pin is broken i broke it while steering wheel was locked and now i cant start it but with a screw driver and i want to change that and this look really dope but the wireing is confueing

[@fatcattowing8990]

THANK YOU !!!! you have given me a very good idea, and im going to follow it and put a push button in my truck!!

[@StrangeGarage]

What kind of truck do you have? Someone gave me a great idea the other day: leave the key as is, and just splice in the starter leg, so you still turn the key to turn on the ignition, then you can use the push button to start it and do whatever you want with the rest of the switches. I would have done that if my key worked.

[@Obscenities]

@@StrangeGarage exactly what I need. I just think flipping all the switches is more fun!

[@FazalFariz]

The license plate was the killer scene in this video.

[@dallashammonds7731]

I'm doing it for fun I think it'll be cool looking considering I have a racing steering wheel and it is my drag truck but it's a f150 too.

[@rmhutchins7]

I enjoyed your video. It was very helpful. Thank you!

[@StrangeGarage]

RM Hutchins you are very welcome, thanks for watching!

[@Mr.Safety.]

"My racecar today is going to be a 1997 f150" okay I'll subscribe, we see eye to eye, even if one of us is taller

[@creationzthruair834]

This was great thank you. Only thing is, what about that relay switch that comes with it? What's it for?

[@OA_RA_FBA_FBM]

Bro you made that look much easier than actually is I would completely fuk my car up... Great job btw

[@frankrieser1090]

Excellent video and ad very easy to follow.

[@gotjunkin1401]

this is a great video that i didn't expect to find thank you sir

[@conglacious]

Thank you so much for laying all this out dude! Well made!

[@bryansimms268]

great vid was exactly what I was looking for . bought a 95 ranger that needed that.

[@mr.misunderstood4904]

Nice vid, makes me feel like a professional, i have installed a remote start and push buttons, key pad starting , but in a different manner, learning about solenoids is a big deal, quick tip: the hot wire for the ac that you join with the other hot wire , have a fuse inline and you have tampered with their purpose, my two cents i wouldnt go the route you did, next thing you know is you have a bomb fire on your truck.

[@scottlecroy9666]

Outstanding video!!

[@Andythemanman3]

I'm thinking about doing this to my 1st gen 4runner now. That looks pretty slick! Go Seahawks!

[@leooc2862]

Great Video, how do you by pass the security system. 98 Ford explorer. Help

[@FishingwithCristina]

So you shut off your car by flipping down the switch?

[@StrangeGarage]

fishing Miami Florida I do indeed.

[@tonyincs]

"hot wire my truck" for my bucket list added.

[@StrangeGarage]

Highly recommended.

[@tatesmobilewashandinstalla7025]

It's an old ford. Starter wire is blue with white stripe at far left of ignition switch harness. Constant 12 v is the center wire, probably red and white(may be diff color), ignition wire is opposite of starter wire(color doesn't matter, wire position is the same in every ford.)

[@ryandcat]

Thanks for the heads up! Was about to buy the same switch!

[@MIARACING]

Thank you it was helpful. Even though I wasn’t looking for THIS. Now I wanna try it.

[@StrangeGarage]

That's great. How did you find something you weren't looking for?

[@MIARACING]

I was trying to see videos on kill switches. Lol then this one got my attention.

[@StrangeGarage]

Works for me, lol. Kill switches are a good deal though, saved a lot of people a lot of trouble.

[@tynandill926]

Great video, but I have an issue with the starter not getting power when I press the start button. I have my starter wire running straight from the start button to my "S" terminal on my starter. I did not use the relay, like you. The button worked great the first couple of days, then I had to bump the starter with a screwdriver to get the starter button to start the car, and now I can't use the button to start it and I have to bump my starter with the screwdriver every time I need to start my car.

[@seandonovan4210]

Dude! I was just thinking about this today! Using a switch with a cover (rocket firing switch) and a push button to turn my old 1975 F250 into a pushbutton start (I'll have a secret 2nd pushbutton somewhere so no one can steal my car)! Sick setup and great explanation!!

[@crawfordpetterson5209]

My only key for my vehicle is broke, I was hoping to do this button start with mine. How do I stop the steering wheel from locking? It's from 2001 and I'm worried about it. It's nice security thing, but its complicating this for me.

[@ant1cs918]

i have the exact same problem with my 2002 ford mustang gt and i bought your buttons and plan to do it just like you did, any tips you could throw my way?

[@pabloarguello2265]

Nice video man but I will like to know if it’s necessary to use the relay that comes with the switch ?

[@talulasnow]

hey a fellow Washingtonian, with a license plate that says bigdik . LOL :D

[@kyleday6669]

polar bear18 love being a Washingtonian

[@melrich2124]

Got a 2018 L83 and have a pink wire and a purple wire for ignition. Where on the switch do you attach these wires that come from the computer?

[@bubblegum751]

I touched a metal part of the car with a yellow cable and now the truck won't start the only thing is that the headlights still work. Anyone have ideas of how to fix it?

[@douglasmabe4695]

Need a little help I wired it up and the push button starts perfect but when I turn the toggle switch off it doesn't kill the engine..Any thoughts ?

[@scm5004]

Which wires go to R and S terminals on the starter? Where does the ignition lead from the distrubtor get hooked up to? Thanks

[@ebperformance8436]

My key works but the mechanism is broke... I wanna leave everything the same but can I add a relay? I wanna not have the button work when the ignition is off.... Replacing the mechanism requires a steering column rebuild or purchasing another... This is the third column” Purchased used and from ebay” The mechanism inside a fieros steering column is cheap pot metal.

[@anthonymichael4416]

Hey man I am trying to do the exact same thing on a 98 Chevy blazer I bought it off the fella he lost the keys so I tried getting the ignition out and ended up breaking the ignition housing so I just want to bypass every bit of it and put a push button start on it but right now whenever I try to start it like you did on the Ford truck so I sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t could you please give me some insight on what the hell I’m doing wrong

[@jimlucas0]

What if I only want to install a button for the starter? Which wires do I tap into? My button has 3 wires.

[@darthtrack771]

Did you use a ground from the the original wiring on ignition cylinder,, or just put an additional 1?

[@nelsonsantos770]

Any idea on wiring a starter switch and engage switch on small engine like field and brush mower?

[@zero260designlab3]

This video finally made my understanding of these circuits Thank you

[@KhashsGarage]

Would you make a video on how to hook up a fuel pump to one of those switches?

[@StrangeGarage]

Khash Bagheri I'm totally doing that next week. I need to do that on my boat already, so everybody is happy! Thanks for the input, and thanks for watching!

[@KhashsGarage]

Strange Garage awesome! I have a 1988 Ford bronco and the fuel pump works fine along with everything related to it but it will only stay on for a minute then it will shut off. The computer isn’t doing its job and to fix it will cost a lot! I’m just going to hard wire it to a switch.

[@StrangeGarage]

Khash Bagheri Same thing I'm gonna do on the panel, just my switch has a perfect little panel to fit in. Easy money man.

[@matthewlee2686]

that's easy as hell to do.

[@raghurockz5926]

Was useful really great looking to fix a toggle switch panel to my Swift car if any doubt i might contact you ....

[@nickolasrichmond8739]

Can you use the wires straight out of the ignition harness or does there have to be any extra fuses or relays added?

[@EYE_SPIDER]

That’s awesome! Really helpful video!

[@jeredhersh789]

Awesome! I plan on building an off-road buggy that utilizes this. It reminds me of my first vehicle, which used a screwdriver to turn the ignition

[@StrangeGarage]

Jered Hersh Great choice man! What kind of buggy?

[@jeredhersh789]

Nothing special, I plan on heavily modifying a small 4x4 pickup. It's a project I haven't quite started yet, haha

[@StrangeGarage]

Jered Hersh lol, I know the feeling! I have a truck I'm building and all I've gotten done so far is rip it apart. In my defense I put the truck engine in my boat, but that's still no excuse. What truck are you going to start with?

[@jeredhersh789]

It's a 1996 dodge Dakota, with the v6 Magnum in it. Not much, but it was cheap, haha

[@Official_CheapSkate]

So did you key have a chip in your key? I'm looking at a 96 mustang without key wanna do track car and will snatch if it's this simple theoretically lol