Keyless Ignition

[TomCat1]

I seem to be going round and round trying to understand what i would need to make my car 'keyless'.

I have a 1.8 k series 2003 roadsport, which already has an immobiliser.

I want to have it where i can get rid of my key completely. So i get in the car, unset the immobiliser, push a button for ignition, press again to start the car, and then press once more to stop.

Do i need a toad excel, or is the standard immobiliser i have already ok?

I have already bought a savage 'start push button' is this all i need or do i need to buy anything else?

Thanks for any advice..

Tom

[orangeknight]

I would think that immobiliser that you have will suffice - mine has immobiliser and push button start for normal use. If I'm parking away from home for any length of time I have additional security measures in place. Most autospares will be able to supply what you need.

Something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IGNITION-PANEL-PUSH-BUTT...

[Aeroscreens]

I can't offer advice on the standard immobiliser as I fitted a Sterling Excel as an aftermarket device. Most people who have gone keyless tend to opt for an aircraft style toggle switch with the red cover for the ignition as well as the 'start' button. I also have a battery master switch.

For me the starting procedure is:

1. Insert BMS
2. Ignition on (via toggle switch)
3. disarm immobiliser
4. Press 'Start'

To turn off, simply flip the red cover i.e. 'kill switch' down.

[TomCat1]

Yeah that's kinda what I'm after! Minus the panel. Are these things hard to wire? With that panel can you remove the whole ignition barrel and everything?

Thanks

[Aeroscreens]

Instructions are on 7FAQ and yes you can remove the ignition barrel, just remember that will also remove the steering lock....

[TomCat1]

That's fantastic, just what I was looking for! I mean I have got a removable steering wheel anyway and thinkin about a battery master switch as well. I just don't like the look of them on the outside of the car, can you put them anywhere else?

[Aeroscreens]

BMS typically on outside for motorsport use (so marshals can shutdown engine in an incident) and tend to be protected by an 'eyebrow'. However, I've seen several 7s etc with them mounted on the dash, but most have them mounted in the 'triangle' of the windscreen stanchion.

[TomCat1]

Yeah most ive seen on the outside with the eyebrow over the top. TBH i like the idea of the BMS just not on the outside. I wont be racing the car, might put it on the dash if it doesn't look stupid.

The car is still in the bodyshop so no rush to fit it. Will post pics when its finished.

Thanks for your help chaps

[Aeroscreens]

I'm sure you know, but don't forget to disconnect the battery first....

[TomCat1]

i do indeed!

Thanks again

[robmlufc]

I did this in december, removed the ignition barrel and swapped it for a ingition switch and start button. If you have a removable wheel then you don't need to worry about the steering lock.

[TomCat1]

Did you find it relatively easy rob?

[Smollet]

Strewth. All this to avoid sticking a key in hole to turn an engine and taking it out to turn it off again.

[framerateuk]

Make sure you get the wires fitted correctly.

The clever cloggs who wired my car did it in such a way that the immobiliser was totally out of the circuit. So it was possible to start the car by just hitting the battery switch and pressing engine start! - No key or fob needed!

I've had it re-wired now so it needs both the key and the fob. Better safe than sorry

[robmlufc]

TomCat1 said:

Did you find it relatively easy rob?

Yeah piece of cake to be honest and my leckie skills are almost non existant.

http://7faq.com/owbase/ow.asp?HowDoI%2FWire+a+Star...

http://www.thecaterhamproject.com/CaterhamMod01.ht...

Removing the steering lock and ignition barrel saves about 1kg, which works out to be a gain of about 54hp at the wheels...or something

[Aeroscreens]

Smollet said:

Strewth. All this to avoid sticking a key in hole to turn an engine and taking it out to turn it off again.

Toby, some of us just like fiddling/fettling etc with our cars. Nowt wrong in that. One man's meat another man's poison etc.....

[robmlufc]

Aeroscreens said:

Toby, some of us just like fiddling/fettling etc with our cars. Nowt wrong in that. One man's meat another man's poison etc.....

The ignition kill switch is pretty useful if your oil pressure suddently fancies vanishing! Gotta be easier than fondling your knee trying to find the fecking key.

[Noger]

And switch flicking, button pushing starts give illusions of Biggles

[Foggy7]

I considered the toggle switch option when I fitted my starter button but decided against as I wasn't happy with the fact that anyone could arm the ignition (via the switch) and attempt to start the car. Obviously the immobiliser would prevent the engine firing but it could still be turned over.............. or have I got it wrong?

[robmlufc]

Foggy7 said:

I considered the toggle switch option when I fitted my starter button but decided against as I wasn't happy with the fact that anyone could arm the ignition (via the switch) and attempt to start the car. Obviously the immobiliser would prevent the engine firing but it could still be turned over.............. or have I got it wrong?

You are correct. However, the ignition barrel is not the most complicated and would take about 15 seconds to hot wire if someone really wanted. It terms of security, on mine at least, the removable steering wheel and immobiliser are the main things.