E39 push button engine start mod

[whatheheck]

Okey, so I finally got tired of posting my mods at the M5board due to some ridiculous comments posted by the newbies. Posts like "I dont like it", "what's the point?", "why do you do all of this stuff", "your lights are too bright", "why dont you just buy another car", etc.......

I really dont want to take the time to answer the ridiculous questions anymore.

So, again, to explain to everyone here - I am posting my mods simply to share info and knowledge so that in case anyone wants to do the same mod to their beast, all the information you need is provided.

I am not asking for anyone's approval, not asking whether you like it or not, and the reason I do all of this mod is simply because I CAN.

So, now that the disclaimer is all done, here you go folks.

I've been wanting to do this mod for a long time now and finally found time to do it.

I've always wondered why you have to turn the key to start the car. Push button is much cooler, so here's how to do it on an E39 M5.

Thanks to my friend Neil (BMWMPWR) for all his help and encouragement.

The easy part for this mod is wiring. Two wires to tap to. That's it.
+12V switched ignition wire (Green wire. The one on the top right. See photo.)
Electric starter relay power wire (Black with yellow stripe)

The difficult part:
The Honda S2000 switch is too long thus I had to do lots of trimming.
Removing the cigarette lighter housing from its socket. Dang!
Lots of trimming to do. The switch itself had to be trimmed, lighter hole had to be trimmed, plastic frame around the lighter had to be trimmed, etc. Thank God for the Dremel tool!

Works great . I like it .

And the best part, the cigarette lighter access can be closed for stealth look.

For now, the car can be started either by push button or by turning the key.
Next step is to disconnect the electric starter relay wire from the ignition switch completely.

This becomes another theft deterrent as thieves wont know how to start the car with the new push button switch hidden, access panel closed.

Note: I used a Honda S2000 switch because of its reputation for high reliability, quality and it is also a lighted switch.

Another option is to use a Z8 engine start button, and install it on the dash board like OEM. This is what my friend Neil did. However, FYI, this button is not lighted.

See attached photos.

You all take care.

Dan Loyola

[Phiberglass]

Looks great.

[Laidback]

Dan,

Another great mod to add to your long list you did for the e39, i'm sure our bro's will be excited about this...I like the lighted push button and the stealthy idea on the cigarette lighter...thank you for sharing it with us:hail:

[Bimmerlifestyle]

nice ... thank you for the post bro

[MFIZZLENYC]

Looks clean nice mod

[batman]

That is one awesome mod my friend! If I still had my E39 I would be all over it. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.:hail:

[Laidback]

LED upgrade next and Dan we'll help me update LoLa's interior lights:)

[brandon5069]

very nice mod....

I like it!

Thanks for sharing :D

[MFIZZLENYC]

after thinking about it is pretty lame lol jk jk I had to make a joke ya know

[whatheheck]

Thank you all very much for your kind comments, feedback, inputs and compliments. Not requested but greatly appreciated.

I understand there is a need for V1 hard wire DIY. So I will post that next. That one is easy, a 5 minute jobbie. I will take photos and create a DIY instructions this weekend and will post next week.

[whatheheck]

Thanks Batman!

That is one awesome mod my friend! If I still had my E39 I would be all over it. Can't wait to see what you come up with next.:hail:

[MFIZZLENYC]

were is the v1 DIY post ?

[yellowfever]

any diy help from anyone is appreciated here without smart a_ _comments nor remarks.
Thanks for sharing.

[BuzzedHornet]

I can't wait to see it Dan. I love the stealth idea of putting in the lighter.

[Laidback]

+1 anyone wants post it?:)


were is the v1 DIY post ?

[BuzzedHornet]

It's sunny in Seattle this weekend. Dan is likely out driving and enjoying the sun...

[Laidback]

75 degrees this morning and had a fun drive aswell with the SoCal Mfesters...Brandon will post pics soon:)It's sunny in Seattle this weekend. Dan is likely out driving and enjoying the sun...

[whatheheck]

Geeezz, a bunch of impatient folks around here : )

Sorry I was very busy this weekend.

Had to clean out my garage, take the beast out for a drive, work on the yard, take my guns out and target shoot, spend time with the wife, etc.

Anyway, the DIY is done. However, I am not able to upload the file as the file is 1.5 MB.

Chris, I need the file size limit on my account increased so I can upload the DIY instructions ASAP.

HELP! Thanks!

As soon as the file upload size limit is increased on my account - I will upload the file.

Let me know Chris once this is done.

[Laidback]

Dan your a good Man:D I pm'd the Admin and we'll see if he can do it asap...Guys better save up as Dan's threads are going to be fun and exciting!:drool:Geeezz, a bunch of impatient folks around here : )

Sorry I was very busy this weekend.

Had to clean out my garage, take the beast out for a drive, work on the yard, take my guns out and target shoot, spend time with the wife, etc.

Anyway, the DIY is done. However, I am not able to upload the file as the file is 1.5 MB.

Chris, I need the file size limit on my account increased so I can upload the DIY instructions ASAP.

HELP! Thanks!

As soon as the file upload size limit is increased on my account - I will upload the file.

Let me know Chris once this is done.

[whatheheck]

Here you go. I posted it in the DIY section.

See here:
http://www.mfestforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6015#post6015

Hope that helps some of you.

[whatheheck]

Hi Chris,

Stack/Khalil was able to increase my file upload size. Thanks for that!
DIY hardwire for V1 is now uploaded under DIY section.

However, my PM section is now messed up. I cannot send any PM messages.

When I click on my PM messages, there is no available reply button anymore. It also states "Zero PM messages are allowed".

Can you kindly PM Stack/Khalil for me? Kindly tell him I said Thanks for the increased file size upload, and also please ask him to help fix my PM messages section?

Thanks!

[Laidback]

PM sent to Admin...Do you like your new name under your handle? :D

[Stack]

Dan,
I took care of the problem.

On certain things a 0 equals unlimited and with PM box it's not like that so I just set you up to have a bigger PM box. Hope that helps.

Khalil

Hi Chris,

Stack/Khalil was able to increase my file upload size. Thanks for that!
DIY hardwire for V1 is now uploaded under DIY section.

However, my PM section is now messed up. I cannot send any PM messages.

When I click on my PM messages, there is no available reply button anymore. It also states "Zero PM messages are allowed".

Can you kindly PM Stack/Khalil for me? Kindly tell him I said Thanks for the increased file size upload, and also please ask him to help fix my PM messages section?

Thanks!

[Laidback]

Thanks K...that was fast!:DDan,
I took care of the problem.

On certain things a 0 equals unlimited and with PM box it's not like that so I just set you up to have a bigger PM box. Hope that helps.

Khalil

[greenxeyezz]

you can also host some of the files on my ftp site if needed. I pay for it yearly and it has gigs and gigs of space. PM me if you are interested, I will give you your own log in and everything

[whatheheck]

Thank you!!!!

I'll let you know if I need more space for my posts. Thanks again!

you can also host some of the files on my ftp site if needed. I pay for it yearly and it has gigs and gigs of space. PM me if you are interested, I will give you your own log in and everything

[whatheheck]

Whooooaaaaa. I dont know about Guru. Just sharing knowledge and info which is what this forum is all about. Thanks though!


PM sent to Admin...Do you like your new name under your handle? :D

[greenxeyezz]

Well, it is just to take some of the stress off on the board, so we will have to work with stack and chris on the situation to make sure bandwidth is properly used and not overly used

[whatheheck]

Here you go:

http://www.mfestforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=518

[///NEM3SES]

Dan, love the push start mod! One hell of an idea IMO! Could I use this method to install this on my M3?

[whatheheck]

Thanks for the compliments.

I believe the basic principle for installation on an E46 M3 should be the same.

Dan, love the push start mod! One hell of an idea IMO! Could I use this method to install this on my M3?

[quacktoduck]

very nice...

[415Banker]

Thanks for the compliments.

I believe the basic principle for installation on an E46 M3 should be the same.

Hey Dan!

This is genius! By any chance you would know if the schematics will be the same if I was to use a BMW push start button (seen on the new E60 and E9X) instead of using an S2K button?

Also, how much is the cost of getting that S2K starter button? Would you also know how much Neil got his Z8 button too?

Thanks!!!

[whatheheck]

Hey Jo.

Sorry for the late reply. Just now checking eMail messages.

Thanks for the compliments. This mod is easy wiring wise but difficult to fit the S2K switch to the cigarette lighter. A lot of trimming and cutting.
I like how mine turned out.

Regarding your questions:

1) Sorry but I have no knowledge on how to do this mod other than E39 models.

2) I bought my S2K engine start button in eBay for ~$35.00.
I believe Neil paid $85 for the Z8 button.
Note that the Z8 button is not lighted.

Hope that helps.


Hey Dan!

This is genius! By any chance you would know if the schematics will be the same if I was to use a BMW push start button (seen on the new E60 and E9X) instead of using an S2K button?

Also, how much is the cost of getting that S2K starter button? Would you also know how much Neil got his Z8 button too?

Thanks!!!

[pedM5]

whats going on with your steering wheel?

[whatheheck]

Huh?

Sorry but I dont see anyone posting a question having an issue with their steering wheel on this thread.
Kindly explain.

whats going on with your steering wheel?

[pedM5]

Huh?

Sorry but I dont see anyone posting a question having an issue with their steering wheel on this thread.
Kindly explain.


see:

[whatheheck]

I understand your question better now.

Nothing wrong with the steering wheel.

In order to do this mod, you / a person will have to drop the steering wheel lower cover panel in order to access the engine starter wiring.

Dan

[quacktoduck]

hey dan do mine... haha ill come over... dinner and beer???

[Mattie]

great mod. very unique.

[whatheheck]

Come on up here to Seattle area and I will help you do this mod.
Dinner and beer? How can anyone turn that down? : )

hey dan do mine... haha ill come over... dinner and beer???

[Laidback]

Dang that's is a very nice offer:hail: Come on up here to Seattle area and I will help you do this mod.
Dinner and beer? How can anyone turn that down? : )

[quacktoduck]

Come on up here to Seattle area and I will help you do this mod.
Dinner and beer? How can anyone turn that down? : )
im across the street from magnuessen park... right in seattle near childrens where you at???

[BMWMPWR]

I like my "non-lit" button :clap::neener:

[whatheheck]

I live in South Everett, Silver Lake area.

When the weather gets better, contact me so I can help you do this mod.

Dan

im across the street from magnuessen park... right in seattle near childrens where you at???

[whatheheck]

I like it too!

I like my "non-lit" button :clap::neener: