Has anyone installed keyless ignition switch?

[Fiatlanta]

I think my ignition switch is going bad and rather than just replacing it with another 40 year old part, I was thinking of replacing it with a keyless, push button type switch. Has anyone does this before? What are your thought?

Thanks

[RRoller123]

Following this! I was thinking of doing the same thing, because of endless no-starting problems, all because of the darned switch. BUT, as soon as I put the starter on a relay system, all of those issues with the ignition switch completely went away. With the relay, it took so little current to trigger the relay that the IGN switch it works fine, even if balky inside itself. In other words, it seems to be able to pass enough voltage/current to trigger the relay every time now.

If one does do a push button system, there needs to be a safety enable/disable switch somewhere in the line! i.e. one throws a dashboard toggle to enable the system, pushes the starter to start the engine, then disables that starter button. Many decades ago, a buddy of mine with a TR2 was running around town with a passenger, who asked: Hey what is this button? And pushed it.... You can imagine the result. May not have been factory wired, but the result was a disaster.

[spider2081]

BUT, as soon as I put the starter on a relay system, all of those issues with the ignition switch completely went away.

I am a firm believer in the relayed "start" mod to any Fiat spider that is not an automatic transmission car. The factory installed a relay in the "Start" circuit in the automatic cars so they could not be started in gear. Seldom if ever do you see someone complaining of the dreaded "click" happening in a car with an automatic transmission. The relay circuit will usually work 100% of the time even with a questionable ignition switch.

[RRoller123]

EXACTLY! The easiest solution to this problem by far!

[Fiatlanta]

Interesting.

I did install a kill switch that works with remote key fob. In the trunk, near the battery. Works well enough. Just not sure where to start, no pun intended, with the actual start button.

[DRUMMOND]

I use a Hidden pushbutton start. but I use the ignition key switch as the energizer for the pushbutton relay which turns the starter. No large current thru the ignition switch. All lights are thru relays so there is no high power draw thru the ignition switch stays cool all the time