Should be just like any car. There's enough power for it to read the key. In any event there is a cover on the column that you pop off and your key fob sits inside it. (Say your fob battery is dead this is how you still start the car)

 

All you have to do is lightly tap the push button and it will put the ignition in the "on" position without starting the car.

 

You push the start button without the clutch in. That turn of accessory.

Sent from another galaxy.

 

Pump the primer to get a charge to the button.

 

I've heard that's not recommended nowadays. It could blow the catalytic converter.

 

Would give me a good reason to go catless then.

Sent from another galaxy.

 

I'm not even sure it's possible on a DI motor.

Pushing the "start" button without the clutch depressed will turn on the ignition without starting the car.

That said, if the car doesn't have enough juice to run the interior electronics, it certainly doesn't have enough to run the ignition/fuel systems. Electronics do funny things when near their low-voltage limit. I'd jump it to be safe.

 

The idea that pushing the start without pushing clutch WILL in fact turn on the ignition is only a guess.
No one actually knows that for a fact at this point.
IMO the start button push without the clutch is used to turn on the accessories. Period. It is the actual way the accessory only is applied.
So NO the ignition is not going to be on without the clutch.

 

Why doesn't someone just try this?

Sent from another galaxy.

 

I roll started my car the other day. Granted my battery wasn't dead but i wanted to know this exact thing. I was parked on a slight hill and rolled with the ignition on (hit the button once with the clutch out)and it did indeed start in second. I was rolling maybe 5 mph.

 

We had a class of ship with common rail injected diesels, which are similar to DFI in that they use electronically triggered injectors. If the electronics battery was low, there was no amount of cranking that would start the diesel, so I'm thinking maybe, if there is enough juice to power the ECM. Cranking obviously drops the battery voltage and can shutdown the ECM. As an aside, my Navy manager asked me if the diesels on my project needed a f***ing battery to start and when I said no, he said good.

 

Okay so I went out with my ST and this is what I found. I also did this on an incline. I turned on the accessory and put the car in 1st. Then I released the brake and pushed in on the clutch. Once I got a little speed I released the clutch and it started. So yes push starting the ST does work.

Sent from another galaxy.

 

If you're storing your car for long periods of time, connect a battery tender to the battery. Keep a portable battery charger/jumper in your car in case you end up needing it if you're out and about. My two cents...

 

I wanted to know for the case that you came out to the car to find a dead battery like what sometimes happens.

Sent from another galaxy.

 

now you can remove the starter for weight reduction.

 

(Best Dirty Harry voice) Just marvelous ...

 

I read many years ago that you couldn't push-start an alternator equipped car with a dead battery. The alternator needs
an external voltage source for field excitation to produce electricity. I think it might be possible to push-start a car with a
"low" battery. I define low as not having enough charge to operate the starter motor but enough to provide some field excitation
for the alternator. The old generators had permanent magnets and they started producing electricity as soon as they started
turning.

I include roll-start in the push-start scenario.

 

That's pretty much correct, though most cars built in the last 10yrs or so usually have the voltage regulator built into the ECU. Either way, you still need enough voltage to the ECU for it to run the engine controls. Anything below ~10V and you run the risk of it doing some very undesirable things. Deep-discharge a regular lead-acid battery to single digits, you'll be replacing it soon anyway. Edit: replacing the battery, not necessarily the ECU

 

I take that to mean that it would be ill advised to roll-start the car if the battery dies?

 

Personally, I think it's a bad idea to push-start a modern vehicle. While an effective trick in earlier automotive history, tech has passed it up.

For example, it used to be considered acceptable to pull the Bat+ terminal on a running vehicle to test if the alternator is working. Same here: I wouldn't recommend it.

 

And one thing to consider, is that jump-starting devices are now micro-sized, to the point of being able to put one in a glovebox and just trickle-charge it from time to time via the 12v outlet. Now there's just no excuse for not having one, and I'm planning on putting one in all my cars really soon. They also can charge your phone or whatnot if you take them out and about with you. Its like double prizes man!

 

Mine fits in my pocket able to charge my phone with it. Has a flash light with moarse code and a strobe. Has jumper cable hook ups and has a lithium battery. Really works great too! Holds a charge for a couple months before needing plugged in. Can jump start around 20 cars before needing charged to I believe. Only cost around $100 from my snap on dealer