[bug_girl]

I never use the FCD button, and it occured to me that a large, obvious button might be a good candidate to change to....something else.
Anyone have a suggestion about how i could change the button cover to something fun like "EJECT' ?
(i don't want actual ejection seat function )

So many people peek in my window, i'd like to give them something to wonder about.
Also considered "warp", but think it really needs to be "warp drive" to be funny--and that will be hard to fit on the button

Othe suggestions of alternate buttons welcome

 

[Corey872]

That would be somewhat different! I suspect the best bet would be to carefully use something like 1500-2000 grit sand paper to lightly buff away the "FCD" label on there now. Maybe follow that up with some rubbing and buffing compound to restore the surface of the button.

Then if you are good with an X-acto knife, cut a pattern for the word "WARP" or what ever you want to use out of sheet vinyl (sign shop - they would probably just give you the 1 square inch you would need)

I have made a few signs this way...just play around with the font and size on a computer 'till you find something that works. Print it, tape it to the vinyl, and use the print as a cutting guide. With something that small, it will be tedious work, but you will only have a few letters.

To transfer the vinyl letters, peel everything away that you dont want and put a piece of masking tape over the letters, then peel the tape up. The letters should peel off the vinyl backer and stick to the tape. Position the tape over the button and press. The letters should then stick to the button as you pull the tape away. If the tape is super sticky, rub it across a piece of fabric first to "dull" the adhesion a bit.

Good Luck!

 

[Yves M.]

Good info Corey. use the green 'not very sticky' masking tape used to prevent damage the back paint

 

[Rick]

You could make it an engine start button. You know so you could do race car style, put the key in turn it to on, then hit the engine start button.

 

[jsanford]

"WARP" is good.

Depending on how much trafficy driving you encounter, perhaps an anti-road rage "FIRE" might be soothing?

 

[ilusnforc]

I would be interested in removing the button, sanding it, paint it red, and put the letters "START" on it and re-route the wiring from the key ignition to the button so it will start just like the S2000. Does anyone know how to do this?? If you use the FCD and would like to convert the button, you could probably just use your trip meters, theres two of them and they do the exact same thing as FCD. Sounds good to me... very interesting... i'll definitely have to look into this... Thanks!

 

[Yves M.]

Just a note, you could keep the FCD function AND have the car start. It would only reset the FCD every time you start with it.

Turning the key to start the engine while it is already ON does nothing. I tried it for someone who asked if the starter turns (or IMA) in that situation.

Maybe the button could control a transistor that would energize a relay to 'start' the car. Need to check which ignition wires need to be shorted.

 

[Rick]

Hmm, yeah that could work too, and you have the added benefit you reset your trip odometer every time you get in, but then you have the downside of trying to change to that display will try to start the car. Just an idea, I have no intentions of doing so.

 

[ilusnforc]

i would just disable the FCD button alltogether to make it a start function only and disable the start position on the key ignition so you can turn the key to the "ON" position then press the FCD button, or "START". I really dont see why you need the FCD, as far as I know there are 2 trip meters that do the exact same thing as the FCD, but if you really wanted to keep the FCD I supposed you could just drill a hole in a nice location just below the original FCD button and put a new button in, then just re-route the wiring...

OR...
as i am writing this an idea just came to me... see if you can get another FCD button from a honda dealer, drill a hole in the dash just below the existing FCD button and mount another one to use as "START". Can anyone elaborate on this... wiring, etc...

 

[Rick]

Or get a red S2000 "Engine Start" button and make it work as well. Kinda of a large button though.

 

[Rick]

Wait cancel that last though, I want a Prius Power button.

 

[b1shmu63]

How about a rear hatch remote release button. The latch is electric. Label it "EJECT", "PANIC", "HELP", or "?".

 

[ilusnforc]

I dont think you would want to accidentally bump the "hatch release" button when your going down the highway....

 

[b1shmu63]

It wouldn't open much because of its weight and wind resistance but if you went ove a bump it might smash closed hard enough to shatter the glass and that would be very very costly. :shock:

 

[Foxpaw]

Err.. hmm. I can't really see that happening myself. I think the hatch would have to slam down really hard to break the glass. Like, sumo wrestler executing a piledriver hard.

 

[b1shmu63]

Well, :wink: couldn't think of any other problem if the hatch was open. Perhaps during the Montreal Pothole Festival or LA after the "big one"? (lost the hatch window on the CRX because some kid thought it would be fun to throw a klinker from a railroad bed at it, and the CRX front windshield to a falling oak branch, no insurance) sigh.....Tip, don't park under trees for shade.

 

[Yves M.]

Anyone has made an FDC button mod?

The Service manual reports the switch connector to have two wires for the night light (connection 2 red/blk and 3 red) and two wires that is a normally opened switch that connects the Gauge assembly CPU to the ground.
Just like any door switch for a light.

The connector 1 blk is a ground and the connector 6 blu/orn the signal to the CPU (which needs the ground to operate).