Big Red Button

The Bentley Mulsanne Turbo. The Lotus Seven. Ferraris, Porsches, countless race cars - and a recent Honda. All use a starter button in place of an extra turn of the key. Why? In some cases, because it's simpler than a complicated ignition switch. In others, to rekindle some of the romance of motoring. Whatever the reason, it's hard to deny that there's a sense of occasion in starting a car but pressing on a Big Red Button - as there should be. A Big Red Button seems to suit a sports car, especially one as pure as a Miata.

So how to get a BRB in a Miata?It's actually not very difficult. It's possible to simply modify the hazard light button, as detailed by Sean Archer in his writeup. I had been thinking about a BRB in place of the cigarette lighter for a couple of years, however. It seemed to be in the perfect place.

Get in the car, turn the key to ignition, and listen to the fuel pump pressurize the system while you put on your four-point harnesses. Once you're ready to go, depress the clutch and thumb that Big Red Button. You'll feel the car come to life under your touch, and your face will break into a grin. I promise. Well, I can't promise the four-point harnesses or the 2-second boot-up time of an FM ECU - that's just what it's like in MY car. But let's look at how to get the BRB into yours. The parts list is on the last page, so you know what it's all for.

Before we get started, I'm going to insert the usual disclaimers. If you're not comfortable working with electrical circuits, the starting circuit of your car is NOT the best place to learn. These instructions are based on a Canadian 1990, and your car may vary. According the wiring diagrams, a US 1990 is the same. And of course, if you set your car on fire -I've never heard of you or this web page.

There. Feeling confident?

Let's go!
Printable version of the full instructions

Keith Tanner

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