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START button problem

Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 12:28 am
by ellusion
I've installed a start button in my fto (where the ciggie lighter is) and have some problems.

Sometimes it requires a few presses before the engine starts. Each time its pressed, the volt meter drops by about 2-4 volts. Maybe there isn't enough current.

I was told it was a fault in ftos since the installer had problems with another fto. He claims it is something to do with the alternator...

How do i fix this?

Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 6:32 pm
by smorison
i would have thought it was more likely to be a relay than the alternator...

did you have problems similar to this before putting in the button??? might be worth while trying to start it the old fasion way

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 11:44 am
by Beme007
Just wondering ..
is it hard to wire the start button ?
Want to get one .
But it may be too hard for me to install so I am still thinking about it .

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 1:19 pm
by lal
Beme007 wrote:Just wondering ..
is it hard to wire the start button ?
Want to get one .
But it may be too hard for me to install so I am still thinking about it .
There's this write up from the Funky site... hope it helps..
http://www.funky-fto.co.uk/index3.html

if you do decide to tackle this.. let us all know if it was hard.

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 1:39 pm
by fto12345
I have a start button...
It's not installed yet but i have wired them up with a friend of mine and it worked perfectly fine for me....

And it doesn't seem that hard to wire it up as well....although you will need a tool to test the wires to see which are positive and negative....I don't have one, hence, the reason why I did it with my friend...

Either way, it could be the wiring problem, may be a dodge wiring and some things just not connected properly?
Or it could be the relay as well like Stephen said...

But then I have replaced my alternator about a year ago with a brand new one....so.....

Could be the fact that you don't have enough power to start the motor...

Or your park plugs may be too old....

It could be a lot of things.....I guess...

:)

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 1:42 pm
by ellusion
I do not know how to install it myself, but watched the auto electrician do it. It looks looks fairly easy... basically changing the switch from the key to the button.

I never had starting up problems before at all. The guy told me he has had this problem with ftos, but not with other cars....

smorison, i remember him mentioning the relay! It must be that since you think it's the relay aswell....

Is there anyway i could get this start button working?? (it works, just sometimes it requires multiple presses..)

button

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 1:44 pm
by elmo
Is the button you are using designed for the job? A starter requires a lot of current to the solenoid before it will engage. Also, is it wired off the original starter wire from the ignition or on the accesory circuit, both should work but the latter might not supply enough current.

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 1:50 pm
by ellusion
The button was supplied by KMC. You can check it out at www.kmc-products.com

Everytime i press it, it sounds like there isn't enough current and power to start the car....a bit like when your battery is dead.

Not sure, where it was connected to; accessory or starter wire.

test it

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 2:10 pm
by elmo
You could always test it...
Pull it out, connect a wire to the solenoid on the starter, connect it to the switch and then another wire to the positive terminal on the battery. If it works like that then it is because the power to the button is not enough to engage the solenoid.

Re: test it

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 3:10 pm
by smorison
elmo wrote:You could always test it...
Pull it out, connect a wire to the solenoid on the starter, connect it to the switch and then another wire to the positive terminal on the battery. If it works like that then it is because the power to the button is not enough to engage the solenoid.
it would say it runs through a relay....

Posted: Wed May 26, 2004 3:33 pm
by ruchi
Make sure you wire it so you don't void your insurance too :wink: