I've had my 68 Cutlass Cnv for 17 years - I'm installing my third switch - is this normal?

 

I would say number of years doesn’t matter, it’s the number of times the switch was activated. But yes, that sounds a bit more than I would expect.

 

I don't think so. I've had my '68 convertible since it was new and a '69 convertible since 1987 and I've never replaced the power top switches in either.

Randy C.

 

Are you replacing it with OEM switches or aftermarket?
Check amp draw on the circuit first.
Clean all the grounds in the power top circuit. Look at the positives too.
Make sure the fuse is the correct rating. Someone before you could have kept blowing fuses and put a larger one in to compensate for the above problems.
Check the amp draw before and after cleaning the connections to see if it improved.
If it's still drawing too much look at the wire harness and the top motor.
Verify the relay is good its tabs are not loose. An Ohmmeter is your friend here.

Lastly, lube the top mechanism. It should part of normal services like door and hood hinges.

 

I think the top motor has a circuit breaker, not a fuse. Too much current draw for a fuse.

 

Thanks for the response. The fuse and the top motor appear to be original to the car. I'm biting the bullet and replacing the switch, motor and fuse. Also, rewiring the whole thing since previous owner did a bit of a hatchet job on the wiring under the dash.