Project Big Six-y: 1991 BMW 535i/5

[Jake]

I think I mentioned a while back how the ignition switch was starting to fail. It finally started getting pretty bad -- i.e. consistently requiring four or five attempts with odd amounts of force to start the car. A new ignition switch from Pelican Parts is something like $75, and would not necessarily arrive in time for my Greenwich Pilgrimage this weekend, soooo I pulled a Radio Shack Fix It Special.

The result...



No keys, push to start. Except you still need the key.

After yanking all of the trim pieces below the steering wheel, I found the wires going to the ignition. Green is the power lead, and black/yellow (black 'n' yellow, black 'n' yellow) is what triggers the starter motor. Different DIY's for E36's suggested I needed a relay and ground wire, but I sent the E34 wiring diagram to my electrical engineering friend and he figured out that I really didn't need to worry. So we tapped into both wires and ran a big red button near the ignition.



By just tapping into the wires and not cutting the black/yellow one completely, the key can still be twisted to start the car. The start procedure is now just like an S2000. Insert key, turn to Run, press button.



The button is not "installed" anywhere right now. I'd like to buy a new ignition switch eventually, but in the interim there are more pressing things to pay good money for, like a roll bar.

And by the way, it's friggin hot out, still. This was at lunch, and it feels that hot in the garage even this late at night...