Adding Push-to-Start Button to Your Early S197 Mustang
Replacing your cigarette lighter with an engine-start button is a simple upgrade for your S197 Mustang.
The 2018 Ford Mustang comes with an engine start button built into the center console, but when the S197 first hit the market back in 2005, the push-to-start system was still fairly rare for production cars. Fortunately, if you have a 2005 through 2009 Mustang, the car comes with the perfect spot to add an engine start button. One of our members put together a great DIY explaining how to add this modern technology to your early-era S197 car.
The Introduction
The DIY thread on how to install an engine start button in a 2005-2009 Ford Mustang was posted to the forum by “05GT-O.C.D.” and it begins with him explaining the project. He used the factory cigarette lighter/power point mounted high in the center console, between the buttons that control the driver information center and the traction control button.
OK, after numerous PM’s on how to do this… here’s the official write up.
Start off by removing the Center Console, Center Stack w/ Trim, and Lower Steering Column Cover. Here’s a link to a thread w/ PDF’s on how to remove the console and stack, the lower steering column cover is held on w/ three screws, you may want to also remove the drivers knee bolster (I didn’t).
Next remove the Cigar Lighter. I do not know of an easy way to do this, I literally picked, cut, and carefully pried it out of there. I’m sure that’s not the right way to do it, but it worked for me. If someone knows how to take it out the right way, please add the instructions to this thread.
Before I forget to mention it, do not cut any factory wiring in this install, simply strip away the insulation as shown in the pics, and everything will also work as normal.
Wiring Up the Button
The first step is to run the wires from the factory starter wire to the area of your Mustang’s dash where you will mount the button. The OP explains how to locate the factory starter wire running to the key cylinder in the steering column.
Next, you have to pick a power source for the light in the engine start button and the OP chose the power wire from the factory cigarette light in his Mustang.
Finally, you need a good ground for the button, and the OP picked a bolt for the emergency brake, explaining where to run the wires.
Once the wires are run, you just secure the engine start button into the console panel of your 2005-2009 Ford Mustang, button everything back up and you will have a functional push-to-start system in your S197.
Click here to read the entire DIY thread, with plenty of discussion after the initial post with tips, tricks and other ways to execute this upgrade.
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