Honda CRX – Civic Junkie

07MAY

RFID/NFC with Engine Start Button

A lot of people have been telling me that I should add RFID to my engine start button project. That’s exactly what I did. I’m using an Arduino Nano connected to a RC522 RFID reader/writer. When the Nano recognizes a scanned RFID tag, it sends a code via serial to the ATMega328 that controls the ignition/accessories/starter motor. When the ATMega328 receives the code, it enables the engine start functionality. If no RFID tag is scanned or if an incorrect tag is scanned, pressing the engine start button will not start the engine.

MVI_1672-001 — My first test of this setup.

26SEPTEMBER

Start Button Update

Here are some photos that I took while everything is wired-up in my car.

engine start button — Opening the steering column cover

How to Install a Start Button

Here’s the best low-cost way to put a fully functional engine start button in your car! Absolutely no key needed to start your car! Just press the button and go!

You may have seen others put engine start buttons in their cars, but they still had to use a key! It’s like, “really, guys? You’re adding a step to starting your car“! You definitely don’t want to be like those idiots. You, you’re much smarter than those hook-it-straight-to-the-starter guys. You know there’s gotta be a better way… and there is!
Read more about How to Install a Start Button …

24AUGUST

Start Button Install Progress (part 1)

The first place that I was going to install the button was in the larger hole cover that covers the hole in the dash where accessory switches go, but were not used. However, I found a better location while solving the steering lock issue. The key cylinder also operates the steering lock, but if I’m not going to use the key to start the car, the steering lock just inconveniences me. I had to remove it.

Start Button in Car Test

After adding the relay module and start button, as well as making some changes to the code, I wired my test circuit up to CRX to see if it could actually work. Video below…

Connecting the relays to the CRX ignition wires — Connecting the relays to the CRX battery wires

Start Button Update 2

I recently purchased a 4 channel relay module and a start button from a Mazda 3. The relay module cost me $8.49(USD) from Sain Store on Amazon.com. The Mazda 3 start button cost $25.00 off ebay.

Read more about Start Button Update 2 …

16AUGUST

Start Button Update 1

I wrote a program for the Arduino, and put together a test circuit to see if it would work. I used LEDs to show the functions. I wrote 6 different versions of the code until I finally came up with one that worked exactly how I wanted. I’m not a programmer, so this code is […]

14AUGUST

New Idea: Engine Start Button

I recently test drove a ’14 Honda Civic, and I really liked some of the new features that Honda has added to their vehicles. The start button intrigued me. It used to be that the S2000 was the only vehicle that Honda decided to have an engine start button on, but now it seems that […]