How Much Does It Cost to Install a Keyless Ignition System?

It’s a Reasonable Question — and the Answer Depends on a Few Real Factors

When planning a build or an upgrade, every car owner reaches the point where the budget spreadsheet comes out. Whether you are restoring a numbers-matching classic, building a ground-up custom hot rod, or just modernizing a weekend cruiser, you need to know what things cost. Asking "how much does keyless ignition cost" is a necessary part of that planning.

However, unlike buying a set of tires or a replacement alternator, there isn't a single sticker price that covers every scenario. The cost can vary significantly based on the quality of the hardware, the complexity of the vehicle, and who is doing the work. Understanding push button start pricing requires looking past the initial number on a website and understanding the entire scope of the project. It is not about finding the cheapest box on the shelf; it is about understanding the investment required to get a system that works reliably every time you press the button.

Why There Isn’t a Single Price for Keyless Ignition Installation

If you search online, you will find push-button start kits ranging from $50 to over $1,000. Why is the gap so wide? The difference lies in what you are actually buying. The low end of the market is flooded with generic electronics often designed for scooters or economy cars, repackaged as "universal" automotive kits. The high end represents professional-grade engineering designed for the specific electrical demands of classic American iron and high-performance engines.

When you factor in the keyless ignition installation price, the variables increase further. Is it a DIY Saturday project in your garage? Is it being done by a local car stereo shop? Or is it being integrated by a high-end custom builder as part of a six-figure restoration? These keyless ignition cost factors mean that two different owners could install push-button start on the same model of car and pay vastly different amounts, yet both could be getting exactly what they paid for.

The Two Main Parts of Cost: The System and the Installation

To make sense of the budget, you need to separate the project into two distinct buckets: the cost of the hardware and the cost of the labor. The keyless ignition system cost is the price of the physical components: the control module, the RFID fobs, the start button, and the wiring harnesses. This is the fixed cost you see when you click "add to cart."

The keyless ignition labor cost is the variable. This covers the time and expertise required to physically install those components into your vehicle. It includes removing the old ignition switch (or bypassing it), mounting the new module, routing wires, making connections, and ensuring everything is hidden and secure. Even if you are doing the work yourself, there is a "cost" in time and materials that shouldn't be overlooked. A successful project budget accounts for both sides of this equation.

How Vehicle Type Influences Installation Cost

The vehicle you are working on plays a huge role in the final tally. Ironically, a classic car keyless ignition cost is often lower in terms of labor hours than a modern vehicle. As we’ve discussed in previous articles, older vehicles have simpler, more accessible wiring. Accessing the ignition harness on a '69 Camaro is often a matter of removing a few screws from the lower dash.

Contrast this with a modern vehicle, where panels are tighter, airbags are everywhere, and wiring is bundled into complex looms. A custom car push button start cost can also vary. If the car is stripped down to the frame, installation is a breeze because everything is open. If the car is fully assembled with a custom leather interior and a smoothed firewall, the installer has to work much more carefully (and slowly) to avoid damaging the finish, which drives up the labor time.

Simple vs Integrated Systems: Why Features Change the Price

The complexity of the system you choose directly impacts the price. A basic system like our PBS-I, designed purely for ignition control, is naturally going to cost less than a comprehensive system like the PBS-II or iKey Premier. This isn't just about the hardware price; it's about the installation time.

When you weigh push button start features, remember that each feature represents a wire that needs to be connected. A basic system might require 6-8 connections. A system that controls keyless ignition options like power door locks, trunk release, window roll-up, and alarm sensors might require 20+ connections. Each of those connections takes time to solder, heat shrink, and test. Therefore, a highly integrated system will always carry a higher installation cost than a straightforward "start only" setup.

Why Older and Classic Cars Can Be More Straightforward Than Modern Vehicles

There is a misconception that older cars are "harder" to work on because they are old. In the world of 12-volt electronics, the opposite is usually true. A classic car push button start installation is often a dream scenario for an installer. The schematics are simple. The wire colors are often standard. There are no CAN bus data lines to decipher and no factory immobilizers to bypass.

This simplicity translates to cost savings. An experienced technician can often install a system in a vintage truck in half the time it takes to do a modern sedan. So, when calculating older car keyless ignition budgets, you can often expect the labor hours to be on the lower end of the spectrum, provided the vehicle’s existing wiring is in good condition.

Labor Cost: What You’re Actually Paying For

When you pay a professional for keyless ignition labor, you are not just paying for them to twist wires together. You are paying for their understanding of professional ignition installation. You are paying for them to know exactly where to mount the RFID antenna so it reads through your specific dashboard material. You are paying for them to know how to crimp and solder high-current connections so they don't vibrate loose three years from now.

You are also paying for the "invisible" work: neatly routing wires so they don't chafe against sharp metal edges, securing the module so it doesn't rattle, and testing the system thoroughly before handing you the keys. Cheap labor often skips these steps, leading to electrical gremlins down the road. Quality labor ensures the system functions as if it were factory-installed.

DIY vs Professional Installation: How Cost and Risk Compare

For many enthusiasts, the DIY keyless ignition install is an attractive way to save money. If you are comfortable with a multimeter, crimping tools, and reading a wiring diagram, you can absolutely install a Digital Guard Dawg system yourself. We provide detailed instructions and US-based MECP-certified tech support to help you. In this scenario, your labor cost is effectively zero dollars (plus perhaps a Saturday afternoon).

However, if you are not confident in your electrical skills, professional push button start installation is a wise investment. The risk of a DIY install gone wrong includes blown fuses, damaged components, or a car that won't start when you need it to. Weigh the cost of professional labor against the value of your own time and the peace of mind that comes with a guaranteed result.

Why Cheap Kits Often End Up Costing More Long Term

We see it often: a builder tries to save money by buying a cheap, generic push-button start kit online. These kits often suffer from cheap push button start problems. The internal relays are undersized and burn out under the load of a V8 starter. The RFID range is inconsistent. The connectors are flimsy.

When—not if—that system fails, the cost skyrockets. You have the cost of the tow truck. You have the cost of ripping out the failed system. And then you have the cost of buying the quality system you should have bought in the first place, plus the labor to install it. True aftermarket ignition reliability comes from systems engineered for the automotive environment, with components like 60A relays and heavy copper boards. Spending a bit more upfront for a system like the PBS-I prevents spending double or triple that amount later to fix a failure.

Security and Reliability: Costs That Aren’t Always Obvious Up Front

When evaluating keyless ignition security cost, consider what you are protecting. A Digital Guard Dawg system uses RFID push button start technology with Dual Frequency/Dual Encryption. This isn't just a fancy way to start the car; it is a sophisticated immobilizer.

If your classic car is stolen because a cheap ignition switch was easily hot-wired, the cost is incalculable. If you are stranded in a parking lot because a low-quality relay failed, the cost is your safety and convenience. The price of a premium system includes the engineering that prevents code grabbing and ensures the car starts every single time. It is an insurance policy against theft and failure that is built directly into the hardware.

Typical Cost Ranges — Without Locking You Into a Number

While we cannot give a quote without knowing your specific vehicle, we can provide context on average keyless ignition cost.

For a high-quality, US-made system like ours, the hardware cost generally falls into the range of a few hundred dollars for a basic setup to higher amounts for fully loaded luxury systems with alarms and GPS.

For labor, a basic push button start price range for installation might represent 3 to 5 hours of shop time at your local labor rate. For complex, fully integrated systems with door locks and windows, labor time could double. Remember, these are estimates. A clean, simple install is cheaper than one requiring custom fabrication or extensive troubleshooting of existing wiring issues.

What Questions to Ask Before You Commit to a Price

If you are hiring a shop, don't just ask "how much?" Ask the right keyless ignition installer questions to ensure you are getting value:

• "Have you installed this specific brand of system before?"

• "How do you make your wire connections? (Soldering vs. T-taps)"

• "Where will you mount the emergency backup antenna?"

• "Does your quote include removing the old ignition cylinder or just bypassing it?"

These push button start buying tips help you filter out shops that might cut corners. A shop that can answer these questions confidently is worth their labor rate.

Why Installation Quality Matters More Than Saving a Few Dollars

In the world of automotive electrical work, you usually get what you pay for. A "cheap" install that uses scotch-locks and leaves wires dangling under the dash is a ticking time bomb. A reliable keyless ignition install takes time. It involves using Tesa tape to wrap harnesses, using grommets when passing through firewalls, and securing everything with zip ties.

Prioritizing a professional ignition upgrade over the lowest bidder ensures that your push-button start system enhances your driving experience rather than becoming a source of frustration. The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

Cost Should Be Clear — Even If It Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

At Digital Guard Dawg, we believe in keyless ignition pricing transparency. Our system prices are listed clearly. We don't hide costs. We explain exactly what our systems do—and what they don't do. We explain why we use 4oz copper boards and 12-gauge wiring, so you know where your money is going.

While we can't control the labor rate at your local shop, we can arm you with the information to understand the push button start cost explained in this guide. We want you to feel confident that investing in a quality system is the right financial decision for your build.

Learn More About Digital Guard Dawg Keyless Ignition Options

Ready to budget for your upgrade? Browse our product pages to see the exact pricing for our PBS-I, PBS-II, and iKey Premier systems. Compare the features, read the specs, and see why Digital Guard Dawg keyless ignition systems are the choice of top builders who value quality over cutting corners. When you are ready, you will know exactly what you are paying for: the best automotive keyless ignition systems on the market, built right here in the USA.