How to Upgrade an Existing Remote Start to Push-to-Start with the PBS-X

If Your Vehicle Already Has a Remote Start, You’re Closer Than You Think

In the world of custom and classic cars, upgrades often happen in stages. You might have installed a high-quality alarm system or remote start years ago. It works perfectly, you trust it, and the thought of ripping it all out just to add push-button start feels wasteful and unnecessarily complicated. This is a common sticking point for many builders who want to take the final step and eliminate the ignition key.

The good news is that if your vehicle already has a reliable remote start, you’ve already done most of the heavy lifting. A proper remote start system is already integrated with your vehicle's core ignition and security wiring. This means you don't have to start from scratch. A targeted add push button start upgrade, like our PBS-X module, is designed to work with what you already have, creating a seamless path to modernize your ignition without undoing previous work.

Why Most Push Button Start Kits Force the Wrong Kind of Upgrade

When you start searching for a push-button start solution, you’ll find that most aftermarket kits are designed as all-in-one systems. They include their own RFID security, their own remote fobs, and their own brain module. If you already have a premium alarm or remote start from a trusted brand, installing one of these kits means you have to choose: either rip out your existing system or try to make two independent "brains" coexist, which often leads to push button start compatibility issues.

This creates a frustrating dilemma. You are forced to discard a perfectly good system you paid for and trust, just to get one new feature. These aftermarket push button start problems are especially common in complex builds where the existing alarm might be tied to other sensors or custom features. You end up with a mess of redundant wiring and potential conflicts. This is not an upgrade; it's a replacement, and often, an unnecessary one.

What the PBS-X Module Was Designed to Do — And Nothing More

We recognized this problem and engineered a specific solution: the PBS-X. The "X" stands for eXpansion. The PBS-X module is not a complete keyless ignition system. It is a dedicated push button start expansion module, designed with a singular purpose: to add push-button start functionality to a vehicle that already has a remote start or a full-featured aftermarket alarm.

It does not come with its own RFID fobs or security brain because it doesn't need them. It is designed to be a "slave" to your existing system. It adds the physical button and the high-current ignition control, but it lets your trusted alarm or remote start handle the security authorization. This approach respects your previous investment and avoids the complexity of installing redundant systems. The PBS-X does one job, and it does it with professional-grade precision.

How PBS-X Adds Push-to-Start Without Replacing Your Existing System

The concept behind the PBS-X is straightforward. It acts as an intelligent bridge between your existing system and a new start button. When you disarm your current alarm or unlock your doors with your existing remote fob, that system sends out a "ground when armed" or "disarm" signal. The PBS-X module reads this signal.

Once the PBS-X sees that your primary system is disarmed, it "wakes up" and enables the start button. Now, you can get in the car and use the push-button start to cycle through Accessory, Ignition, and Start, just like a modern vehicle. When you leave the car and arm your alarm, the PBS-X deactivates the button, rendering it inert. This method of push button start alarm integration means you get to add push button start to remote start functionality without giving up the fobs and security features you are already familiar with.

Why This Matters for Hot Rods, Classics, and Custom Builds

This "upgrade" philosophy is particularly important for the hot rod push button start community and classic car builders. These vehicles are often rolling chronicles of a builder's journey, with systems and components added over time. A '32 Ford might have a top-of-the-line alarm that was installed by a specialist shop five years ago. A '69 Camaro might have a perfectly dialed-in remote start system that the owner trusts completely.

Ripping out that proven hardware is not just wasteful; it can be risky. You might disturb other delicate wiring or create new problems. The PBS-X allows the owner of a classic or hot rod push button start project to add the final touch of a modern ignition without disturbing the proven security system. It allows keyless ignition hot rods to be a reality even when a different brand's alarm is already wired in, preserving the integrity of the existing build.

Shared Ignition Control: How PBS-X Works Alongside Your Current Setup

To understand how the PBS-X integrates so cleanly, it helps to visualize the shared control. Your existing remote start system already has connections to your vehicle’s main ignition wires (Accessory, Ignition, Start) to enable starting the car from a distance. The PBS-X will also connect to these same wires. This concept of integrated ignition control might seem like it would cause a conflict, but it is designed to work in harmony.

When you use your remote to start the car, your existing system takes control and powers the ignition circuits. The PBS-X remains dormant. However, when you get in the car (which is already running), you simply tap the start button once. The PBS-X then takes over control of the ignition from the remote start module, allowing you to drive away. This remote start ignition sharing is a seamless handover that provides a true OEM-style experience. There are no special procedures or confusing steps.

Using Your Existing Remote or Fob to Enable Push-to-Start

A major benefit of the PBS-X is that you don't have another fob to add to your keychain. You continue to use the exact same remote that came with your alarm or remote start system. The actions you are already used to—pressing "unlock" or "disarm"—are what enable the remote activated push button start functionality.

This is a key advantage for anyone who has invested in a system with excellent range or specific features. If you have a high-end alarm with two-way paging that alerts you of a security breach, you get to keep that functionality. The PBS-X simply adds the convenience of a push button start with remote authorization, leveraging the security you already own. You get a new feature without sacrificing the old ones.

Why PBS-X Is Different from Replacing the Ignition Switch Entirely

It's important to distinguish between the PBS-X and our full keyless ignition systems like the PBS-I, PBS-II, and iKey. Those systems are designed as a complete push button start vs ignition replacement solution. They come with their own RFID security and fobs and are intended to be the sole security and ignition controller in the vehicle.

The PBS-X is not an ignition replacement in the same way. It is an ignition enhancement. It works in tandem with an existing controller. This is a critical distinction in ignition upgrade options. If your car has only a factory key, you need a full system like the PBS-I. But if your car already has a powerful aftermarket "brain," the PBS-X is the smarter, more efficient upgrade path.

When PBS-X Is the Right Fit — and When It Isn’t

Honest guidance leads to the best results. The PBS-X is a specialized tool, and knowing when to use it is key. So, is PBS-X right for my car?

The PBS-X is the perfect solution if:

You have a high-quality, professionally installed aftermarket alarm or remote start system that you trust.
You want to keep your existing remotes and their specific features (like long-range starting or a two-way pager).
You want to add the convenience and style of a push-button start without the cost and labor of replacing your entire security system.

The PBS-X is not the right solution if:

Your vehicle only has its original factory key and no aftermarket security.
You have a cheap, unreliable, or poorly installed alarm that you don't trust. In this case, you are better off removing it and installing a complete system like the PBS-I or iKey.
You want a fully "hands-free" passive keyless entry experience. For that, you would need to upgrade to our iKey Premier system.

Understanding this push button start compatibility ensures you buy the right product for your specific situation.

Ideal Builds for a PBS-X Upgrade

The PBS-X finds its home in a wide range of custom vehicles where layered upgrades are common. It is the ideal push button start classic car upgrade for a restomod that already has a modern alarm. It’s a perfect fit for a pro-touring build where the owner installed a remote start to cool down the cabin before a track session.

It is also an excellent hot rod push button start system for vehicles that have been on the road for a while. A builder might have installed a great alarm ten years ago, and now they want to refresh the interior by deleting the key from the dash. The PBS-X allows them to make that aesthetic and functional upgrade without disturbing the wiring they did a decade ago.

What the PBS-X Installation Looks Like at a High Level

While every install is unique, the high-level PBS-X installation is logical for any experienced installer or skilled DIYer. The process generally follows these steps:

Locate the Brain: Identify the control module for your existing alarm or remote start system.
Tap into Signals: Find the "ground-when-armed" or disarm output wire from your existing system. This is the trigger for the PBS-X.
Connect Ignition Wires: Connect the PBS-X module's high-current relays in parallel with your remote start's connections to the vehicle's main ignition wires.
Install the Button: Mount your chosen start button in the dash and connect it to the PBS-X.
Test Integration: Verify that the start button only becomes active when your main alarm is disarmed.

This push button start install overview highlights how the PBS-X is designed to "piggyback" on your current setup, making for a much faster installation than a full system replacement.

Why Builders Prefer Upgrading a Proven System Instead of Starting Over

Top-tier builders operate on a simple principle: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." When a system in a car is proven, reliable, and does its job well, there is no good reason to tear it out. Professional builders and discerning owners trust what they know. That’s why builder trusted ignition systems are often comprised of best-in-class components from different manufacturers.

A high-end alarm might be chosen for its sensor technology, while a Digital Guard Dawg module is chosen for its ignition control. The PBS-X facilitates this "best of breed" approach. It allows for professional ignition upgrades that enhance, rather than replace, the existing architecture of the vehicle’s electronics.

Common Questions About Upgrading Remote Start to Push-to-Start

When considering this unique type of upgrade, some questions naturally arise. Let's answer a few common upgrade remote start questions.

Will this work with any brand of alarm? The PBS-X is designed to work with any aftermarket system that has a standard negative "ground-when-armed" or status output, which includes nearly every major brand.
Do I lose my remote start capability? No. You keep your full remote start functionality. The PBS-X simply adds another way to start the car when you are inside it.
What if my remote start has a "takeover" procedure? The PBS-X automates this. Tapping the button after a remote start is the takeover.
Are there any push button start concerns with security? No. Because the PBS-X only activates when your main alarm is disarmed, you inherit the full security of that system. If your alarm is secure, your ignition is secure.

PBS-X vs Full System Replacement: A Smarter Path Forward

The decision to upgrade vs replace ignition system comes down to efficiency and logic. If you have a solid foundation, it makes more sense to build on it. The PBS-X represents a smarter path forward for countless vehicle owners. It saves you money by not forcing you to buy security features you already own. It saves you time by simplifying the installation process.

It is a targeted, surgical push button start upgrade that solves a very specific problem. It is the embodiment of working smarter, not harder—a philosophy that every good builder understands.

You Don’t Need a New System — You Need the Right Upgrade

You don't need to take a step backward to move forward. You don't need to throw away a system you trust to get the push-button start feature you want. You simply need to add push button start to remote start with the right component.

The PBS-X push button start module is that component. It’s the missing link that completes your keyless experience, bridging the gap between your trusted security system and a modern ignition.

Explore the PBS-X Module and Finish the System You Already Trust

If you are ready to complete your build by adding a push-button start, but don't want the headache of a full system replacement, the PBS-X module was designed for you. Explore the product specifications and see how this unique piece of Digital Guard Dawg keyless ignition technology can integrate with your existing setup to deliver the result you have been looking for.