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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

push button start

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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 11:45 AM
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push button start

i have a 1989 f150, and the ignition is failing. hard to turn past accessory to engage ignition. actually have to use pliers to turn the key all the way. i know i need a new tumbler assembly, but am more interested in just wiring in a push button bypass, so that once the key is inserted and the column is unlocked you only have to push the button to make it turn over. any ideas on how i should do this?
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 11:58 AM
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You probably need to replace the linkage between the lock cylinder and the ignition switch, it's a common failure on an 89 F150. It doesn't cost much, but you have to disassemble the column to install it.
If you just want a pushbutton to engage the starter, you just need a wire from 12v power to the starter relay, but that won't turn on your ignition.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 12:19 PM
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kind of a beginner when it comes to autos, where is the starter relay? i am proficient at wiring houses, but not vehicles
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 01:26 PM
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It'll be bolted to the passenger side fender right next to the battery support arm. There should be a power wire running directly from the positive battery terminal to it, along with a switch leg running down the wheel tub to the starter below the vehicle.

You would wire your NO push-button to the coil terminal where there is a small wire which is held on with a push on boot (kind of like a spark plug) right now.

It should look something like this:




Just for clarification, the only thing that isn't working is turning your ignition all the way to the start position, correct? If you can't get it into the run position, a push-button start alone is not going to be enough to get the truck running.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 01:33 PM
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so I should run a wire from positive and negative from the relay, mount the button in dash and then connect the leads? also should i use 10 or 12 gauge wire fro this?
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 01:45 PM
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1) You'll need to tap a wire which is hot when the ignition switch is in the "RUN" position to feed your button. You do not want it to be directly fed since you could attempt to run the starter solenoid without any of the truck's supporting systems being on.

2) connect the switched 12v wire to one of the nominally open contacts on your push button

3) run the second wire from your push button the coil terminal on the starter solenoid. You shouldn't need to run any grounds since that's already taken care of from the factory

You probably don't need anything more than 14 awg wire (16 would probably also work) since there is going to be so little current drawn by the starter coil.

If I wasn't at work, I'd draw you up a simple Visio diagram and post it up.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 01:57 PM
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hey, thanks a lot. id be interested in that drawing if you get some free time at home.and what wire would you reccomend connecting? i was thinking of using accessory wire, but there are 2, black and green, and yellow and gray
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 03:48 PM
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nvm, i got out the multimeter and answered my own question. thanks for all the help btw
 
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