Power Windows Working When Ignition is off but not When Ignition is on

[Bigv6715]

Been reading and searching the site for awhile as I was rebuilding most everything in my 1969 Camaro convertible from the firewall forward.  This site has been a tremendous help. 

Putting the finishing touches on putting the car back together and am running into a wierd electrical gremlin.  The power windows only work when the ignition is off but not when it is on.  I checked the relay and it was not functioning so I replaced it.

I have no idea where to begin on troubleshooting this.  The following wiring/components were replaced:

Engine Harness
AC Harness
Cowl induction Harness
Circuit breaker
Power accessory wire on both sides of the circuit breaker


As a side note the radio doesn’t turn on, regardless of switch position, but I don’t know if the radio itself is inoperable or it’s a related wiring issue.

Any suggestions? Any “I had the same problem and you wouldn’t believe what the cause was…?”

[David K]

Try the other accessories-fan motor for the defroster, back up lights, turn signals to see if they act the same.

[Bigv6715]

Blower fan, turn signals, and backup lights all work only when the ignition is on but not when it is off.

Did some testing.

With the ignition off the orange wire with black stripe has 12v (from circuit breaker on fire wall), but the pink wire has zero.  Which i think is the way it should be.  With the ignition on the pink wire has 12v and the orange with black stripe has 12v.

However with the ignition off the pink wire has continuity with ground.  This shouldn’t be the case, right?

[Rick68]

It sounds like you have the relays crossed for the power top and the power windows. The power top should only work when the key is off and not work when the key is on

[Bigv6715]

The car’s power top works whether the ignition is on or off so that could certainly be a place to start if it’s only supposed to work when the ignition is off.

[Rick68]

Yes. You wouldn't want to accidentally hit the power top switch at 60 mph!!!!