I noticed a few weeks ago by accident that my power windows work when there are no keys in the ignition. When did Ford start doing this?

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99 XLT 5.4L SC 4x4 ORP Wedgewood Waldoch - 3.55LS, grey/blue leather, wood dash and door inserts, Lund Deflector, Trenz Billet Antennae, Clear Corner Lenses...and too many things on my want list!
1977 1/2 F250 4x4 "Low Boy" 400-4spd

 

They didn't. It sounds like you have a stuck relay.

The windows will work after you remove the key UNTIL you open a door causing the dome light to come, then the relay drops out and the windows stop working until you put the key back in and turn it to either On or Acc.

This lets you park and switch off the engine, and then close the windows instead of having to let the engine idle while you close them or try to close them while you are also trying to park.

 

A stuck relay. How embarrasing. I'm an Electrical Engineer.

 

That's funny! I thought the same thing when I first got my truck. But then I realized that when trying to open the door while putting the window up, that it was only while the doors were shut. We learn something new about our trucks everyday!

 

I don't recall the exact term for it, but "retained power" comes to mind. It's designed that way. You can remove the keys and still operate the windows until you open a door. Supposed to be a convenience feature. I think there's a time limit, but don't recall how long and I'm way too lazy to go out to the truck to read the info in the manual.

 

I believe that the manual says it'll work up to 10 minutes or until a door is opened.

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98 F-150 SC XLT 4.6, Westin nerf bars, deflector shield II, Vent Visors, 55" chest box, Kenwood stereo, more in the near future

 

I only wish that the Radio would work the same way <sigh>.

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Y2K™ Jim Gorka

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Boss is right 10 minutes.