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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 1941 Ford Convertible Switch

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Discussion Topic: 1941 Ford Convertible Switch -- page: 1 2

GNWolohon

05-04-2012 @ 9:03 AM

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I had my 1941 convertible out yesterday & finally got the convertible top to go up & down, so I could take a drive with the top down. I lubed the screw mechanism & the rotating parts with graphite. The Switch seemed to be working erratically. I thought about spraying some contact cleaner in the switch, but I didn't because I was afraid that I might damage this switch. Any suggestions on how to get this switch to work better? I looked @ C&G & Dennis Carpenter, but hey don't show convertible switches. The 1941 uses 2 electric motors that run screw jacks rather than hydraulic operation. Thanks. Larry

supereal

05-04-2012 @ 9:16 AM

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The electric screw method was supposed to be quicker and more reliable than the vacuum system used on the '40. Unfortunately, it had its own problems, usually due to one jack being out of sync with the other, causing the top to jam. If one works, the switch is likely not the cause. If disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication don't help, contact Hydro-E-Lectric at hydroe.com, or 800/343-4261. They specialize in convertible parts. If you think having two troublesome jacks is tough, think of the owners of the Skyliner retractable hardtops with many of them. One would have thought Ford learned their lesson decades ago.

42ford

05-04-2012 @ 5:58 PM

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Both the 41 and 42 used the same switch, but the jacks were not the same. Do your top motors work when you pull or push the switch? The motors are under the rear seat. Check them for frayed wires or a bad ground. In 10 years I have one seen 1 switch for sale.

GNWolohon

05-04-2012 @ 9:07 PM

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Supereal, Thanks for the info!

GNWolohon

05-04-2012 @ 9:11 PM

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My '41 switch works the motors both wnen you push it in, lowers the top & when you pull it out, it makes the top raise. The 2 electric motors are on each side of the back seat, not under the rear seat.

42ford

05-05-2012 @ 5:00 AM

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no matyter. The 42 s are under the rear seat. Please check the wireinfg. What state you in?

TomO

05-05-2012 @ 7:19 AM

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Contact cleaner will not damage the switch. If it is operating erratically, you may have to disassemble the switch and clean the contacts and lube the switch with corrosion inhibiting grease, not dielectric grease.

Use a voltmeter to check that the voltage is or is not going though the switch when you activate it.

I don't have a wiring diagram for the top mechanism, but you might check to see if there is an interlock switch that prevents the motor from over driving the jacks when the top is closed or fully open.

Tom

GNWolohon

05-05-2012 @ 9:06 AM

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I am in in Michigan, in the Detroit area. Thanks

42ford

05-06-2012 @ 10:45 AM

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Long before you try to take the switch apart, Check The grounds at the motors. They should each have a separate wire to ground. I have a 41 body parts man. It has a wiring diagram in it

supereal

05-06-2012 @ 4:03 PM

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Almost always, the problem is due to one motor not keeping up with the other. If they work together, it is usually a rare event. That is why the system was used in two different ways in 41 and 42, then abandoned. The retractable hard tops used two cables, sort of like big speedometer cables, connected to a single motor. Even so, the retractables were almost impossible to keep in adjustment. Only hydraulics could operate the intricate top mechanisms with some sort of dependability.

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