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MG MGF Technical - Engine 'Start Button'

As a big fan of gimmicks, I could think of nothing better to add to my MGF than an engine starter button !!

I'm currently trying to source some parts, and then figure out the wiring; so I thought I'd post this up to see if anyone else has tried it and has some info, or whether people would be interested in a set of instructions if I manage to figure it out.

Cheers,
Colin.

Colin

Did you see the Start button on the MG Xpower SV when Jeremy C started her up on his program a few weeks ago? i thought it was cool, i suppose you could put it similar place, if you dont smoke and not use cigar for anything else you could put it there, Dave T6 DCM.
DC Morris

good day Colin
I would definetly be interested in the instructions once you figure it out as i am a fan of the starter button
Luis Pereira

Mike's Charcoal F has the cigarette lighter moved to the bottom of the drop down bin.

This loks like a really easy job to do and is covenient for chargers etc. Doing this also provides the perfect place for a starter button - something red with a chrome surround would be nice... :-)

SF
Scarlet Fever

The wiring details that you'll need can be found discussed in the archives Colin

Good luck, and let us know how you get on! :o)
Rob Bell

Had a quick surf of the net at lunch-time to find potential buttons (I'm at work too Scarlet :¬(


Here are links with pictures:

http://www.mitsubishi-fto.org/steve/lucifer/s2000.htm

http://www.flash.net/~duetto/start.htm



Will spend some time over the weekend to see if they're suitable.

Col.



Colin

Andy, they are red with a flash of Chrome :-o , I see another mod coming.
Mike
Mike

Thanks Rob, found 'em. Will let you guys know how I get on - and may try to produce a 'photo guide'.

Colin.
Colin

How about the starter button from the S2000??? Don't like the car but the buttons pretty cool!
R Baker

yep,im'e with Mike, now hooked seeing that red one, i want for next mod. Dave
DC Morris

Hi,
I think that this start button sounds a great idea too, please let me know when you have a plan to fit it..

Regards,
Mike..
Mike Gibson

Starter buttons? Seems a bit of a retrograde step chaps. The Mini used to have one in the floor. What's wrong with the key? After all, you have to turn the ignition on anyway.

All sounds a bit like that black car on TV some years ago (Kit). The car could talk, jump over other cars etc etc but when the owner wanted to contact base he had to switch about half a dozen different switches to do it. Seems like switches for switches sake! A little bit more to go wrong.

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

The only way I see it as a usefull item would be if it could be used to crank the engine with the ignition off. The way to do this would be to move the wire that goes to the starter relay/solenoid from the start terminal on the ingnition switch to the starter button. Run a wire from the accessory terminal on the ignition switch to the other terminal on the starter button. That way you should be able to crank the engine without it starting with the key in the accessory position and crank and start with the key in the run position. This assumes that your cars have an accessory position on the ingnition switch. (We used to wire our cars for keystart when they were equipt with starter buttons to modernise them).
George B.

Richbrook do a starter button kit, would this be easier than working out a wiring diagram? Just a thought if it is of any help......

Duncan.
duncan dorrell

Bruce,

>>>Starter buttons? Seems a bit of a retrograde step chaps.

Er, when has that ever put people on the BBS off? :)

Why *have* I got chrome on my car again? And wood interiors in a car built in the late 90's? And an art deco marque badge based on the shape of a 1920's wooden table? And windows that let the water in?

Hang on. Perhaps I should have bought a Morgan...

David
David Bainbridge

Ahmmm... ;)
http://www.mgfcar.de/starter/index.htm
Some samples. Click links on top of the site as well.
HTH
Dieter
Dieter K.

I can't think why anyone would want to do this, but try

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/136

Yes it is an MX5 spares outlet!!
Pete Fincher

David,

<<Er, when has that ever put people on the BBS off? :)
>>

It just put me off!

Bruce
:¬}
Bruce Caldwell

>>Starter buttons? Seems a bit of a retrograde step chaps.<<

True, but it is a bit of fun Bruce! LOL Adds a little to the sense of occasion when starting the engine. Mind you, that sense of occasion is all the greater if you happen to have a TVR straight-six or bent-eight or an Aston Martin bent-twelve residing under the bonnet... ;o) ;o)
Rob Bell

Bruce,

>>Seems like switches for switches sake! A little bit more to go wrong.<<

This has nothing to do with practicality or additional functional gizmos - it's pure emotion and aesthetics; plus the added excitement of pressing a big red button (just ask George Bush :¬) !!
Colin

I for one would love to do this. In September 2002,only a week after I put down a deposit on my F, I smashed a wine glass into my right hand - lots of damage including severing the ulnar nerve. Couldn't drive the F for 3 months ;(( It took a nerve transplant operation to try and repair the damage. I now have a weak right hand and one of the functions that has not yet returned is the "pinch grip" - that's the one you use to hold and turn the ignition key!!!
A starter button would suit me very nicely at the moment!!!

Cheers, Bill
wjf farnsworth

>>...a bit of a retrograde step...switches for switches sake...a little bit more to go wrong...<<

Don't care! I want one! :-)

Adrian

I still long for the days of a starting handle poked into the depths of the engine and cranked furiously.

Cold day + wrong engine timing = broken thumb.

Not one that Bill would relish but just the thought makes me appreciate the electric start.
JohnP

>>I still long for the days of a starting handle poked into the depths of the engine and cranked furiously.<<

Yes, I remember trying to wind up my humber sceptre - until I learnt the right technique! The handle was also excellent for maintenance.
Kick starting old 500cc single-cylinder bikes was also good fun - and needed *exactly* the right technique. Thumbing my suzuki into life is certainly easier.
Now there's one way to get a starter button - buy a bike !

Steve
Steve

Well I have ordered my button today; ended up going for the Honda S2000 one in the end. And will spend some time this weekend seeing if I'm confident enough in my car electrics to fit myself.

As a back-up measure, in case I chicken out, I phoned both Mike Satur and Brown & Gammons - both of whom said they'd be confident of fitting such an item. So for all of you out there who warm to the idea of a big red button in your MGF, take heart that there are many options available.

Colin

Just had a thought, would it be possible to install the starter button (neatly) within the ring bulb around the cigar lighter?

This ring could be wired to illuminate with the ignition (or even with the interior courtesy lights) and would help to give the starter button a more 'dramatic' appearance.

For those not in the know, the standard F cigar lighter has an illuminated ring around it complete with connections and bulb - it's just that MGR decided not to wire it in...

If the cigar lighter is to be moved to the inside of the drop down bin (for use as a power point), then there is no point moving the ring bulb too, this then opens up the possibility of a nice illuminated ring around the starter button. :-)

SF
Scarlet Fever

Scarlet, the S2000 starter button illuminates red itself. Once it arrives I'll let you know if it'll fit in the cigar lighter ring.

Colin.
C Caveney

Co lin, noticed your comments about the BRB , I have been itching to press this for some time now ,we just gotta have a war, you Limeys gonna join us ?. God bless America.
GB.
G.Bush

This thread was discussed between 16/01/2003 and 19/01/2003

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