Any thoughts on a starter "button"

[tulsalfa]

This weekend, I intend to do all of the relay mods on my 86 Grad.

I have seen several threads on the Alfa's ignition switch and it seems to be one of the weak spots of our cars. On my Fiat (also noted for weak ignition switches), I wired a "starter" button into my ignition system. I spliced into the wire from the ignition switch to the battery and added a momentarily on button by modifying one of the existing console buttons and a relay. It takes all of the strain off of the ignition switch.

My question: Has anyone done such a mod on an Alfa? Was it worth the effort? Any suggestions that you might share would be most appreciated. TIA

Dean

[brownie93]

Hubby did this on my 77 spider. The ignition was broken and I had been hotwiring it for a while. I had a red button down near the emerg brake and it worked like a charm. When I took her in for a brake job Nezar, the mechanic, replaced my ignition so I didn't need it anymore.

[Tifosi]

No real reason why such an item couldn't be incorporated, but I'd reccomend a pretty heavy switch as the run of the mill/off the shelf toggles and push types aren't designed to that kind of beating for long and have a nasty habit of burning up inside. (you'll know when it happens when you push/flip the switch and the starter won't stop cranking 'til you disconnect the battery)

Still in all, it would likely be a bit better overall to do the wiring seperate from the ignition switch and factory harness stuff.

That what you can use heavier gauge wire which is always a plus, and you aren't loading the old harness wires in thier what could be questionable condition.

[Gubi]

Probably a better mod would be to just install a starter relay. That'll take all the strain off the switch as well and won't be much difference in work.

Without a relay you'll probably just eventually burn out the button anyway.

[Bob Sacamano]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gubi Probably a better mod would be to just install a starter relay. That'll take all the strain off the switch as well and won't be much difference in work. Without a relay you'll probably just eventually burn out the button anyway.

[gtv27]

I put a button and a relay on my 105 GTV. Easy to do and improved starting (contacts in switch not so good after 30+ years.

[Gubi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Sacamano Yes, and at some point Spider's began to come from the factory with a starter relay. I know my '74 was the first year S2 to have a starter relay mounted on the firewall near the windshield washer fluid bottle.

[Bob Sacamano]

I'm certain about the '74s (had several), but as I mentioned, not the S3/S4. Either way, it's a simple install on any type of Alfa. Probably something I should check into. I've "relayed" the headlights on all 3 of my Spider's.

[Geezer]

Never put a relay on an Alfa but I have done the relay retrofit on many rear engine Volkswagons. Volkswagon in their infinate wisdom ran a 16ga wire from the front of the car to the rear to operate the starter sol. The resoult was low voltage in the circuit which eventually led to starter & ign switch problems.

I would leave the wiring & ignition switch in tact. The process that I used is use the original wiring to activite a small relay that I would mount near the starter. I would use a 10ga wire to tap power from the batt terminal on the starter sol and then run another 10ga wire from the relay to engage the starter sol. That solved many problems on those cars.

On the Alfa placing a relay near the starter and running wires between the starter and relay should be easy. I would use the original starter switch & wire to operate the relay 1st before digging into the harness. It may work out great without any modification to the original wiring harness.

[KennyG]

Never tried this on an Alfa, but I jury-rigged a starter button on a VW bug that I'd lost the keys for. I attached the starter wires to the button on the dash for the mechanical windshield washer (after disconnecting the washer). When the button was pushed, the starter cranked; when you released the button, it stopped cranking. Since no one would ever dream of trying to start the car that way, it was as good as keys for security.

[Stan Murray]

I have a starter relay (old Ford type) and starter button. Works great. My worry was placement. Hitting it at the wrong time could cause some trouble. On my 86 spdr I put it in the dash where the little flat plastic notched plug on the door side of the steering wheel below the gauge pod. I think the plug was for pehaps a throttle cable on the euro cars. Anyway I am happy with the location. Never have hit it accidentally. It does confuse anyone else who is trying to move the car and doesn't know it's there. I too installed it after an ignition switch failure. With all the other mods I have on this car it doesn't make much difference to originality. I would not do this to a fairly original car.
One thing we all might do is make a list of the mods done to the car and perhaps keep it in the glove box of the cars. As the years go by cars change hands and folks are left in a quagmire, reading manuals and parts numbers and searching for help. Lots of us have more than one Alfa and are constantly doing things to keep them running and it's easy to get confused which one we did what to. Just a thought.

[Geezer]

The Ford style stater sol/relay will work but it is larger and the amp capacitity is not necessary. The Bosch style "cube" relay will handle 35 amps which is more than enough, is compact, requires less amps to actuate, and should cost <$5.00.