Window lock out and emergency switch feature ?

[TJ Hopland]

We currently have another thread going where someone is troubleshooting this system on a 68 and that got me wondering when this was used and the extra twist of the emergency feature.  Since the other thread is about repairing one I figured it was better to start this thread talking about the specific of when it was used and what it did. 

In the case of this 68 the switch apparently has 3 positions.   I don't know how it sat in the car but lets say Normal was to the left, Off center, and you could hold it to the right for emergency mode.  Normal was apparently as we have come to expect that the windows only work when the key is on or accessory. Middle position is lock which means no windows work?  And you can then hold the switch to the right into emergency mode and as long as you are holding it you can then operate the windows with the key off.

So questions are did the fine details vary over the years or models: 

Did normal always work with the key on AND accessory?  I know some other GM's in the 50's got the accessory position I assume Cadillac did too? 

Did lock just disable the remote switches but the drivers would still work as long as the key was on? This seemed to be the way the lock switch evolved to through the 2000's till they started being constantly connected to skynet for constant monitoring.  OR some years did this kill em all?  Locking out the remotes makes sense for security and safety of passengers like say kids or pets that maybe don't completely understand their actions and makes sense why at some point it became a standard or maybe even required feature of power windows.

Then did emergency power them all back up with the key off or just the drivers?  Emergency didn't seem to be a feature that carried on that long.  That kinda brings up the question who or why did someone decide that the windows could or should not be operated without the key?  Hand crank windows didn't require a key.  I can't think of any real security reason this would make sense.  Even if you were thinking of a coat hanger around the glass to operate the window switch if that didn't work why not go for the power lock button?  Or the lock pull dodad?  So why not live all the time?  We left the power seat live so its not like we were thinking of when the switch fails and it would kill the battery. 

[TJ Hopland]

Was just thinking were the cigarette lighters ever switched?    So you could smoke in the car with no keys but you could not roll down the windows?  Or did people just smoke with the windows up? 

Was this just the first time 'they' were trying to make the cars break early?  All those times it starts raining and the keys are no where to be found?   

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

This is for 1971 and on, but should be the same for earlier.

Things like Cigar Lighters, Central Locking and Seat Back release on 2 door cars were fully powered, via a Fusible Link, as was the Convertible Top on Convertibles.

But, the windows were via the Ignition Switch.

Bruce.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Up until 1963, Cadillac power windows could be operated with the ignition off. The new mode switch with EMERG in 1964 was essentially a concession to owners who were accustomed to being able to operate the windows if the key wasn't handy. The purpose of the LOCK position was to prevent children from playing with the windows. We can only speculate why EMERG was eliminated but I doubt it was security-related for reasons you stated.

The function of the LOCK position is as you described: Ignition on- operation from master window control panel only; passenger window switches disabled. NORM- all switches enabled with ignition on. Ignition in ACCY position allows operation of radio/power antenna and wipers in later years, but not power windows. Lighters were always live at least into the 2000s.

[TJ Hopland]

Do we know when the 'emergency' mode disappeared?  Its kinda looking like 1970 ish? 

I suppose its harder to tell what others were doing in that time frame since I assume other than maybe a Lincoln sort of brand power windows were still a pretty rare option?

I really do wonder who and why they went to having it switched.  Doesn't seem like it could have been any kind of law since you would think that emergency switch would not have been allowed.  But if it was a law 60's makes sense for when that stuff really started to happen.   

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Do we know when the 'emergency' mode disappeared?  Its kinda looking like 1970 ish? 

The answer appears to be 1968.