I bought a speedway wiring harness . I want to put a push button for starting the car after the key has been turned on. What would be the proper way to do so. Before anyone tells me to search for the answer, I did no luck. Do I need to use a relay?? thanks herman
First thing you'll need is a starter motor with a solenoid. Try looking for a starter from a Hydra-Matic equipped truck of the same voltage (6 or 12) that the engine in your truck was originally equipped with. The reason for that particular starter is that it will have the right pitch in the gears to mate with the ring gear on your current flywheel. This is far more involved than just the wiring harness and a button.
If the foggy old brain remembers right we used to use starters from 49-53 cars as they were the push button type. A wire from the accessory terminal on the switch to one side of the push button and then another wire from the other side of the switch to the solenoid terminal. Only one terminal, other than battery cable post on the solenoid so it's fool proof. Since your truck is not a high point resto job you could just put a key start switch in it and eliminate the push button. Wire from the "ST" terminal on the switch to the starter solenoid and that's it. I can't cut you back any further than just one wire
I should have been more specific. I have changed the engine to a chevy350-(it has been stroked to a 383. I have added a mini high torque starter.. I want to keep the original key(have to turn the key on then hit the new under the dash push button(my version of theft deterrent). If it was a keyed start ignition, I could follow the wireing harness directions of the speedway wiring digiram.The directions call for the purple wire to goes to the starter. There is no relay that I am aware of. So can I just draw power from the switch(I asume ignition switch Ign) then when I push the button to start it will give power to the purple wire going to the selonid to start the starter. Am I even close to doing this corectly? thanks for helping. herman
OK, gotcha. Do NOT run the 12v feed wire from the "IGN" on the switch as this draws voltage away from the coil or HEI. I think there is an "ACC" terminal on the back of the old factory switch which is where you should run the starter button wire to. The heater motor wire is run to this terminal. If not you could try using the IGN since if it starts right away the only time your losing voltage is while the starter is engaged. We have had ones wired this way that started fine most of the time but gave trouble in extreme cold or hot conditions.
Thanks for the reply. I do believe that there is a an accessory spot. The part about stealing current from the coil is something I had not thought of. I take it you do not think I need to add a relay to the set-up??
Stick shift, so you don't need starter button wiring through a neutral safety switch although you may want to route the starter solenoid wire through a "clutch pressed" safety switch to keep from starting in gear. More questions: Is the Speedway harness "stock" or does it incorporate relays and additional plugs for things like A/C, late model steering columns, etc? Does the Speedway harness expect to connect to the stock switch? Do you plan on adding power-hungry accessories like A/C, big-amped radio/CD player or anything else that doesn't work until the key is on? Is your 350's ignition points-based or electronic? If points-based, does the Speedway harness provide connections for a ballast resistor and a bypass circuit for the coil + when the key (push button in your case) is in the "start" position? No matter stock or updates, the starter button needs to be able to handle 30 amps or more of current or you need to use the starter button to activate a relay (like you originally asked) to activate the starter solenoid which pulls a lot of juice.
thanks for sticking with me on getting this wired. it says that it has fused power for ac/heat,does this mean it has relays? I do not plan on ac at this time. Basic radio no other power draws. basic truck. Yes, the harness is meant for a stock ignition switch, Plan on HEI Are you getting the picture yet. any thoughts? herman
Just A Thought Herman ; I avoid Hot Rods like the plague but , in GM wiring , the purple wire from the starter is a calibrated resistance wire to reduce current to the coil . In general , yes use a relay as it'll ensure longer switch life . Those cute little cube relays everyone sells for fog lights ? most are rated for 50 amperes continuous duty , try to buy non Chinese ones , maybe @ NAPA FLAPS ? . If you're a junkyard junkie like me, most all European cars have them in droves , most have a nifty mount built in and some even have fuses built in . For fun and theft deterrent , you can use a Marine grade starter push button in the original hole on the toe board then cover it with floor mat or carpet .
