Can anyone tell me why some people put in pushbutton ignition to their cars?

My 69 bug has pushbutton ignition, as in, turn the key to get ignition lights, then push a button to start the car. The previous owner said that he had ignition hassles and they 'fixed' it with this button.

To me, if the key turns, it should be OK to start the car. Or, you replace the key and lock. I dunno. Can anyone enlighten me? Anyone else got this in their VW?

the ignition switch snuffs it for whatever reason and rather than replacing it they go the short term fix and wire in a push button and it become permanent

yeah as barls said, temp fix wich becomes permanent .time for new ignition if you want to fix it properly

ill put it this way half of the kombis my old man services have push button or toggles so you are not alone on this one

i got a push button set up in the buggy. more the fact some people stick gun in the ignition. and rubbish in your footwell.

Well it was good enough for the early beetles to have a push button....

they are more reliable than a 35 year old key switch with dirty contacts...

Usually a relay will fix the problem with a dodgey ignition switch, as a relay takes very little current whereas the ignition system takes a few amps to start the engine...

also a push button switch is cheaper and easier to find than a new key switch....

much better than an ignition switch out of another car taped to the side of the steering column.... YUK...

Lee -- 68AutoBug --

Also, some people think its cool to start the engine with a key switch....

same as Formula 1 racing cars..... Super V8 touring cars ..
Rally cars etc...
all start with a push button...

they know the button IS going to work when its pressed....

Lee --

I installed a push button in my previous kombi because I was quoted too much (at the time) for a new ignition switch. As already suggested, it was meant to be temporary until I could afford one, but became permanent.

I took the power supply to the push-button from the ignition 'ON' terminal at the original switch, and run the other contact from the push-button into the starter wire, meaning that the key was still needed to get power to the starter anyway.

Honestly, there is no disadvantage to having a push-button, other than the fact that it is not standard. If anything, it makes an interesting novelty. :thumb

ANOTHER REASON many kombi s have a push button, is the stupid "turn ignition right off to hit starter again" ignition switch, which can be very awkward when the vehicle stalls in traffic, our first kombi had both keystart & button, I will be putting that setup in our current kombi when I have time

Most people dont realise taht you can purchase the origional ignition key module the plastic bit CHEAPER tahn you can buy a push button for

I need a new ignition switch for my 1978 Kombi. Any ideas where I can get one new and what it will cost?

Mine currently has a dodgy push button to start but you still need to use the key to unlock the steering column and I'd like to fix the ignition switch.

Thanks

My 77 kombi came with push button, went unreal, never had a problem ever...

is there any wiring diagrams availabe to DIY ... my switch on the kombi packed it in last week, and i feel getting a whole new barrel is going to be expensive, plus will require another set of keys ... any tips

the actual switch is seperate (able ) from the key & barrel , you only need the switch itself

there are some in the gregorys manual or there is a very simple on thats based on a 64 bug in the vw bible( idoits manual) i dont have a copy for the kombi. but i think you can get the new switch from micks in Qld or classic in sydney

see http://www.vintagebus.com/ 

for all VW wiring diagrams...

USA wiring diagrams are different to the rest of the world VWs...

Lee