Topic: 1965-1966 Convertible Power Top Switch Question

[NEFaurora]

Subject: 1965-1966 Convertible Power Top Switch Question:

I've been throwing this one around for awhile in my brain... I've been wondering for awhile and maybe someone might have a clue as to why...there is constant power going to the '65-'66 Convertible Power Top Switch.  It's always got power to it... even when the car's ignition is switched off.  One would figure that a car manufacturer such as Ford would have the Convertible Power Top Switch wired to the "Switched" Ignition Key Power or ACC Power ONLY..... and NOT be Powered or have a HOT lead going to it when the car is off and the Ignition is OFF with the Ignition key removed....

Does anyone have any insight as to why Ford would do this???  This has ALWAYS Bugged and Bothered me!!  I've even though of maybe re-wiring it for "Switched" Power Only....it bugs me so much..

Is this supposed to be this way??? It seems really strange or are both of my '65 and '66 Convertibles wired wrong at the starter solenoid somehow?!??!???

Thanks Guys....as I look forward to the responses...!!

)

Tony K.

[jwc66k]

A couple of reasons:
- The top motor draws more current than the existing wiring to the ignition switch could handle, so it would require a special harness and special ignition for convertibles.
- The decision was to run a larger cable from the positive side of the solenoid, thru a fuse/circuit breaker and then the switch so the top could go up without a key if it rained. (Only convertible owners would know this, Fastback owners didn't care.)
Jim

[midlife]

A couple of reasons:
- The top motor draws more current than the existing wiring to the ignition switch could handle, so it would require a special harness and special ignition for convertibles.
- The decision was to run a larger cable from the positive side of the solenoid, thru a fuse/circuit breaker and then the switch so the top could go up without a key if it rained. (Only convertible owners would know this, Fastback owners didn't care.)
Jim

The man knows his stuff.  Excellent answer.

[NEFaurora]

"so the top could go up without a key if it rained."


Ok... I'll buy that...

Makes sense..... and if the answer is good enough for Midlife.....It's good enough for me!

)

Tony K.

[67gtasanjose]

Another point to consider...in the pre-1965-ish period of time, it might be safe to say that 50% or more of the U.S., (geographically speaking), people didn't always remove keys from the ignition at all.
G.M. Actually offered in many models of cars a "keyless" ignition option that the driver had to choose to lock if they wished to.

Obviously, this presented another whole problem with Baby-Boomers of the day and vehicle theft of the mid-60's and beyond brought about changes including locking columns and locking shifters beginning to become standard equipment in 1969 &1970 for passenger cars and pickups only a few years later.

Changing times, we are once again back to "keyless" ignitions but a whole lot smarter cars with technology.

All to say, a power top, being optional equipment anyways, it wouldn't be any sort of security issue in the day those cars were engineered. 

[MattDoscher]

My wife's '65 Comet Caliente convertible is the same way.  I like being able to raise/lower the top without having to turn the ignition switch on.

Matt

[bryancobb]

OK...So you latched onto his least significant item in the list.  LOL.  The real reason is to allow very-heavy-gauge wire for the LOOOONG run to the thirsty motor without requiring a $500 Ignition switch.

"so the top could go up without a key if it rained."


Ok... I'll buy that...

Makes sense..... and if the answer is good enough for Midlife.....It's good enough for me!

)

Tony K.


 

[jwc66k]

OK...So you latched onto his least significant item in the list.  LOL.  The real reason is to allow very-heavy-gauge wire for the LOOOONG run to the thirsty motor without requiring a $500 Ignition switch.

"so the top could go up without a key if it rained."
Makes sense..... and if the answer is good enough for Midlife.....It's good enough for me!

That's a $500 switch for roughly 14,000 convertibles with power tops (a $7,000,000 investment).
Jim

[Bossbill]

It would appear that the Lincoln division bought all those new fangled things called "relays" and didn't want to share any with its lowly cousin.
Very little else explains this or why the Mustang did not have a horn relay.

Then again the wife's MGA has two fuses for the entire car.

[jwc66k]

It would appear that the Lincoln division bought all those new fangled things called "relays" and didn't want to share any with its lowly cousin.

Cost. Mustang was originally envisioned by Ford and sold as an inexpensive car. It was part of Lee Iacocca's sales pitch to the top.

Very little else explains this or why the Mustang did not have a horn relay.

A "horn relay" was used on 1964 Mustangs. It went away as a cost savings measure (see above).

Then again the wife's MGA has two fuses for the entire car.

A country that has "boots" and bonnets" as part of a vehicle's description cannot be taken serious. Was there a circuit breaker in the headlight switch circuit?
They were cheap too.
I prefer a Bug-Eyed Sprite.,
Jim

[Bossbill]

Insert Lucas joke here.
The MGA even has a mechanical starter solenoid. A Bowden cable pulls the starter solenoid contacts into play.
I'm 6' 5", so Spridgets aren't even a consideration.

[67gta289]

I worked for a company that was bought by Lucas.  Making a joke about them was earths for termination.

The company is known for multiple things, chief of which is the "prince of darkness".

But they were the first ones to invent intermittent wipers...and intermittent ignition systems, intermittent headlights, and so on.

[Bossbill]

Making a joke about them was earths for termination.

Are you positive?

[midlife]

Are you positive?

I'm sure he meant to say that making a joke about them was grounds for termination.

[Bossbill]

I'm not sure which emoticon would have helped, but all British car guys know that these cars specify "Positive Earth" or ground. Yes, the positive terminal is connected to the chassis instead of the negative terminal. The coil polarity is also reversed with + going to the points.

So now you can read my reply as "Gee Bill, that was a really clever play on words" OR "Gee Bill, you really have an odd sense of humor".