If you’ve owned a Land Rover Discovery 2 for any amount of time, you probably know that the OEM ignition cylinder is a weak point. In my case, I found out the hard way...my key actually snapped off in the ignition. That led me down the rabbit hole of replacing the entire ignition cylinder. After that, I decided there had to be a better way.
In this DIY project, I walk you through how I installed a push button start system using simple rocker switches and the factory ignition harness. It’s an affordable, reliable workaround for a known failure point...and it makes the truck feel a little cooler too.
What You'll Need (Affiliate Links)
- On/OFF Green Lit Rocker Switch (2 needed)
- Momentary Rocker Switch
- Butt Connector Kit
- Ring Terminal Kit
- Crimp Tool
- Tesa Harness Tape
- Dash Switch Holder (Land Rover Discovery 1/2)
The Process
Step 1: Open the lower column cover
Access the back of the OEM ignition switch connector and locate the wire harness. I chose to completely remove the ignition cylinder since mine was already damaged. (see video for shear bolt removal - https://youtu.be/i-3Tt0m8weg)
Step 2: Cut the OEM ignition switch connector
I cut the connector off right at the back of the ignition switch. Cut the wires as close to the ignition switch as possible.
Step 3: Identify and label wires
Using a multimeter and wiring diagram, I identified the key-on, ignition-on, and starter wires. In my case:
- Switch 1 (Key ON): Powers up accessories
- Switch 2 (Ignition ON): Powers ignition system and fuel pump
- Switch 3 (Momentary): Engages the starter motor
Step 4: Wire up your switches
Each rocker switch gets connected to its corresponding wire, with power coming from the factory feed wire. The momentary switch goes to the starter trigger. Make sure to isolate and protect all connections. I added roughly 10" of wire at the switches and then cut the wire to length once the switches were mounted in the dash.
Step 5: Mount your switches
I mounted mine in the dash where the coin tray used to be using a custom 3D printed switch holder available on Etsy (from the UK).
Why This Mod Makes Sense
- It’s reliable: Eliminates the common failure point of the OEM ignition cylinder.
- It’s reversible: You’re not really modifying anything that can’t be undone.
- It’s unique: There’s something satisfying about starting your truck with a flip of a switch.
- It costs less than a factory replacement and takes about an hour to install.
Watch the Install Video:
Check out my video tutorial where I walk through the full install step-by-step!
This is one of those upgrades that solves a real problem, makes the vehicle more enjoyable to use, and gives off serious off-roader vibes. If your Disco 2 ignition is acting up, or you just want a fun little mod, this is one worth doing.
Let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help!
info@lucidautowerks.com