Hello all,

I have replaced my switch a few times in the past 20 years. I do not put the top down to often so it does not get much use. My issue is that the main 12 V wire gets very hot (guessing it is from the amps draw from the motor). The top goes up \ down as I think it should and both pumps work at the same rate. I am going to replace the convertible top motor \ flush, refill the system and lube the metal joins on the frame but I am not sure why the 12 V lead gets so hot or how to prevent it from getting so hot. I believe that the amps \ draw is burning up these replacement switches.

I have the stock wiring harness, that I will replace this year which I am sure does not help. The wiring is MOSTLY stock with the exception of my battery in the trunk. I have a 0 aught cable that runs and feeds the fuse \ bulk head which in turn feeds the circuit for the switch.

Anyone have an constructive ideas on why the wire gets so hot?

Anyone use relays to alleviate this issue? I know on the older models they had relays but I do not believe my 72 has one for this circuit.

Thanks!

 

I take no credit for the following wiring diagram. It was posted by someone in this forum a while ago but the circuit works well and I think is what you are looking for.

 

Dalilama - That is awesome! I know what I will be doing this weekend. :-)

THANK YOU for whom ever took the time to create the diagram with the detailed notes and thanks a bunch for passing this along!

 

I have been planning on doing this for years. I noticed that the repo switches do not connect with the wiring harness as tightly as they should. I had one melt on me.

 

Sounds as if there may be a bit more resistance due to the loose connections, or maybe it's the contacts inside the switch. With a high current circuit, any added resistance translates to increased heat generation at the point of that resistance. So if the switch keeps burning up, the resistance in the switch is what is causing the heating.

 

I used these drawings and went to the junkyard and picked up some relays and a bracket for them. I haven't used it yet as I'm still waiting to get my top installed.