Has anyone tried this (or any) push-start brand?

bardo

bardo

Dedicated Member
American Zeds
Joined
May 15, 2020
Points
25
Location
Orange, CA
Model of Z
3
Hello. There is this online manufacturer (Autolöc) selling push-to-start systems for various car makes and models. I want to know if anyone is familiar with this system or any similar type of push button systems that can be installed into a 25 year-old Z3 roadster with a good success rate. I've been scouring the web for any such feedback for any particular type of make or model but haven't seen anything. The reason I am researching is because I have a disability that prevents me from turning on the ignition due to a limited right wrist rotation caused by the disability. I've been living with this disadvantage for the past three decades since I started driving, so it is definitely something I can live with. It's just that in-between the past two Zeds I've owned I had a BMW 1-series that came with a stock push start button when the technology was still newer. After only a few weeks of driving with that system I couldn't believe how awesome it was to not have to use my other hand to start my car anymore. The current Z3 I own will be the last car I intend to own for myself due to another disability. Since I plan on keeping the car until I die or at least until I lose the ability to drive and because of its age, I've been sprucing my car up with major updates recently and this added feature would make my car so much easier. I know that Autolöc’s app comes with extra goodies like remote unlock/lock, windows up/down, top up/down as well as remote start. Those are all cool but all I really want is to sit down in my car and not have to turn an ignition. I've seen plenty of push start installation systems claiming to be compatible with my car due to their 12V car status but I would never go near those. Autolöc has me interested because it advertises a kit specific to my make and model and research has shown me it is a legit company. I am highly skeptical of its compatibility due to BMW's strict security protocols and because I don't know of the long term or even short term major technical headaches I will be walking into. But if it really is a doable option for me that would be a dream come true.

shop.autoloc.com

1996-2002 BMW Z3, M Billet Push Button Switch Engine Start Stop & Remo

No more keys! Enjoy the ease and convenience of a push button engine start system w/ keyless entry and remote start. Lock and unlock your 1996-2002 BMW Z3, M doors, remote start, and start/stop your engine with the simple push of a button.This kit allows you to easily convert your old keyed...
shop.autoloc.com shop.autoloc.com
 

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I am puzzled - you still have to use your right hand to unlock the steering and turn the ignition on whenever you drive . . .
 
No. Never tried it. But my understanding of such conversion kits is that, for a z3, there's 3 main obstacles.

1. The steering lock. This is either removed completely or a spare key is inserted into the barrel and cut down and hidden.

2. The ignition wiring. Now that there's maybe a key in the lock the wiring must be disconnected from the old barrel and wired into the after market controller module.

3. The z3 imobilizer circuit that detects when a key is inserted. The head of the key that you chopped off can be glued into the ews ring and hidden behind the dash.

Er. I think.

In any case it's not a simple plug-in-and-go kit. Do it wrong and the car will catch fire or the steering lock will engage while you're tanking down the freeway.
 
I am sure it can be done but the entire BMW ignition barrel may need removing. Then you have the issue with the EWS (immobiliser).

On modern cars the start 'button' does everything. First push is the 'ignition on' and then push to start and stop. This would be possible with re-wiring the BMW ignition fairly easily. The connector for the cables to the ignition switch are under the left side of the steering column (on a RHD car), so moving them to the left side is easy. They don't need extending.

I have removed my ignition barrel and the cables. All the cables have been re-routed to a new ignition switch in the middle of the dash. Mine isn't push button and I have kept the cut down lock barrel, in a different location, for the BMW key to sit in for the EWS immobiliser. So I have no steering lock.

I can see no reason why you couldn't leave the ignition barrel in situ, remove the wiring 'ring' (switch) and place the cabling elsewhere to a push button. The EWS and steering lock could then stay in place, as the lock is purely mechanical. But as said above, you would still need to turn the key to release the steering lock. It is very simple to remove the lock but it could have implications with insurance
 
Just some additional information for any UK owners looking at this

If your vehicle is registered after September 2001 it is an mot requirement to have the steering lock and it would be a fail for removing it
Before September 01 it is not a testable item.
Stephen.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Lee
Stevo7682 said:
Just some additional information for any UK owners looking at this

If your vehicle is registered after September 2001 it is an mot requirement to have the steering lock and it would be a fail for removing it
Before September 01 it is not a testable item.
Stephen.
Click to expand...
Didn't know that.
I can't think how a steering lock affects the roadworthiness or even safety of a car, but I don't make the rules.
 
Mike Fishwick said:
I am puzzled - you still have to use your right hand to unlock the steering and turn the ignition on whenever you drive . . .
Click to expand...
Yes I can use my right hand for everything behind the steering wheel except turning the key past that third and final stop that cranks the engine. And that is where my other hand comes in to finish the job. It's no big deal but it is something that I would love to no longer deal with if feasibly possible.
 
Duncodin said:
No. Never tried it. But my understanding of such conversion kits is that, for a z3, there's 3 main obstacles.

1. The steering lock. This is either removed completely or a spare key is inserted into the barrel and cut down and hidden.

2. The ignition wiring. Now that there's maybe a key in the lock the wiring must be disconnected from the old barrel and wired into the after market controller module.

3. The z3 imobilizer circuit that detects when a key is inserted. The head of the key that you chopped off can be glued into the ews ring and hidden behind the dash.

Er. I think.

In any case it's not a simple plug-in-and-go kit. Do it wrong and the car will catch fire or the steering lock will engage while you're tanking down the freeway.
Click to expand...
Yes you've brought up some excellent points as I've seen them all discussed in the few online conversations I've come across regarding this issue, especially with the steering column and hiding keys. I will definitely be going through a BMW specialist both for consultation and the actual work should I proceed with this project. I just wanted to see what I could find in terms of opinions or real world experience here before I took a step in that direction.
 
Pond said:
I am sure it can be done but the entire BMW ignition barrel may need removing. Then you have the issue with the EWS (immobiliser).

On modern cars the start 'button' does everything. First push is the 'ignition on' and then push to start and stop. This would be possible with re-wiring the BMW ignition fairly easily. The connector for the cables to the ignition switch are under the left side of the steering column (on a RHD car), so moving them to the left side is easy. They don't need extending.

I have removed my ignition barrel and the cables. All the cables have been re-routed to a new ignition switch in the middle of the dash. Mine isn't push button and I have kept the cut down lock barrel, in a different location, for the BMW key to sit in for the EWS immobiliser. So I have no steering lock.

I can see no reason why you couldn't leave the ignition barrel in situ, remove the wiring 'ring' (switch) and place the cabling elsewhere to a push button. The EWS and steering lock could then stay in place, as the lock is purely mechanical. But as said above, you would still need to turn the key to release the steering lock. It is very simple to remove the lock but it could have implications with insurance
Click to expand...
Thanks a bunch for this useful info and especially for that obvious insurance reminder. It was so obvious that I didn't even think about it until you brought it up. But that is definitely another red flag I will need to consider should I decide to terminate this aspiration for my Z3.
 
elevensies said:
personally i think you have found a cure for a problem that didnt exist. but your car, you choice.

leave push buttons for the new cars.
Click to expand...

Exactly why I like our Z3 and E86, it’s all very simple , even the latest diesel Tansit at work has an electric hand brake, it’s like the designer couldn’t quite make their mind up😂
 
One thing that may affect you and @Pond or anyone else who leaves their key in the ignition.

I was told by my old MOT tester that I shouldn't leave my ignition key in the car when the engine is switched off, as he did it once, and left the key in the barrel over a long weekend. The result was unable to start the car. After a lot of diagnosis, he found that the key had died. He was told by BMW that the EWS is constantly sending a signal to the key and if the key is in the ignition and the battery voltage drops too low, the key will lose its coding.

It may not affect our cars. He may have been told a load of darn.

Me. I always take my key out when I switch off the car.
 
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bardo said:
Yes I can use my right hand for everything behind the steering wheel except turning the key past that third and final stop that cranks the engine. And that is where my other hand comes in to finish the job. It's no big deal but it is something that I would love to no longer deal with if feasibly possible.
Click to expand...

If it’s just the start operation your struggling with a straight forward press button starter kit is all you need that just duplicates that operation.

I have one of these on mine fitted in place of the cigarette lighter socket.
 
Pingu said:
One thing that may affect you and @Pond or anyone else who leaves their key in the ignition.
Click to expand...
I don't leave my BMW key in when the car is not running. I use it like a normal key just that it doesn't do anything except the immobiliser.

It also has the central locking buttons, so I need to remove it if I want to lock the car anyway.

If I use my aftermarket key without the BMW key inserted, an EWS fault code appears as the car can't work out that the ignition is on without the EWS circuit being made. I have to clear that code quite a lot!

The point is a good one, though. :thumbsup:
 
Pond said:
I don't leave my BMW key in when the car is not running. I use it like a normal key just that it doesn't do anything except the immobiliser.

It also has the central locking buttons, so I need to remove it if I want to lock the car anyway.

If I use my aftermarket key without the BMW key inserted, an EWS fault code appears as the car can't work out that the ignition is on without the EWS circuit being made. I have to clear that code quite a lot!

The point is a good one, though. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Sorry, I thought that you had the key permanently attached (possibly glued) to the area near the key slot.

All's good :thumbsup:
 
Pingu said:
Sorry, I thought that you had the key permanently attached (possibly glued) to the area near the key slot.

All's good :thumbsup:

That is a good point to make as many of the people I've read about using these aftermarket keyless start systems have mentioned doing that very thing in forums where they say that they hide or tape their keys somewhere near the steering column.
Click to expand...
 
If its just the start function you are trying to move it should be easy enough to wire in a standard button that bypasses the 3rd stage of the key.
They key would control position 1, accessories and position 2, run. Position 3 would just be operated by a button instead of the key but everything would work the same.
 
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