Installing engine start button

aegorov Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 29 Oct 2011, 5:01 pm

#869274

I've just installed an engine start button in my 1970 beetle. I had a really crappy looking cigarette lighter in there so thought I'd replace it with something different.

Got it all plugged in and working, however, the instructions were very vague on how to get the thing illuminated.

I wanted the button to light up with the ignition, then turn off once the engine starts.

Tried to piggyback off the generator light, but when the ignition turns on, the light only flicks on for a millisecond then stays off. Also tried piggybacking off the power for the cigarette lighter, but that didn't work either.

Any ideas on what I should be connecting the button light up to?

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 29 Oct 2011, 6:38 pm

#869283

You may be able to run it off the oil light, to a relay that makes the start light go on. Normally when your engine is running, the oil light should be off, which would make your starter light be off.

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cam070 Custom Title Time!

1,332 posts · joined Jul 2009 · 29 Oct 2011, 9:05 pm

#869316

helbus wrote:You may be able to run it off the oil light, to a relay that makes the start light go on. Normally when your engine is running, the oil light should be off, which would make your starter light be off.

Would that make it double as a low pressure oil warning light.

aegorov Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Feb 2010 · 30 Oct 2011, 11:51 am

#869409

Had a bit more of a fiddle with this engine start button light...

Tried to piggyback off the oil light - no go.

Tried to piggyback off the generator warning light - as before, when the ignition goes on, the light flicks on momentarily. Once the engine starts and the generator light goes out, the light on the engine start button lights up.

I know LEDs are polarity dependent, and if I swap the cables around the light doesn't work at all. I'm assuming there is some mismatch in the current between the generator warning light and the LED in the engine start button.

Anyone with any ideas on how to piggyback an LED light with a normal bulb?

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 30 Oct 2011, 1:03 pm

#869418

You could use either the gen or oil pressure light but you'll need a relay.

The are both switching grounds which is why you're not getting any love.

The oil light wire would feed the ground side of a relay coil and the ignition supply the positive side for the switch LED back light.

A whole heap of stuffing around for a small bit of bling bling.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 30 Oct 2011, 5:34 pm

#869471

aegorov wrote:I've just installed an engine start button in my 1970 beetle. I had a really crappy looking cigarette lighter in there so thought I'd replace it with something different.

Got it all plugged in and working, however, the instructions were very vague on how to get the thing illuminated.

I wanted the button to light up with the ignition, then turn off once the engine starts.

Tried to piggyback off the generator light, but when the ignition turns on, the light only flicks on for a millisecond then stays off. Also tried piggybacking off the power for the cigarette lighter, but that didn't work either.

Any ideas on what I should be connecting the button light up to?

Connect it to the switch You are using... but maybe voltage is too low..
so the oil pressure switch would be OK...
Power + to the led and the - usually black wire to the oil pressure lamp..

Power is to the oil pressure lamp... all the time when the ignition is turned ON..

You earth out the LED on the oil lamp wire ...

LEE

PS: I think?? Joel,,

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---