Headlight cover motor question

[72lucy]

Need motor for headlight cover. Found this one on ebay. My car is a 1972. Would this work? Looks just like the one installed on my car but this one says 1968-1970. Greatly appreciate any help I can get.

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/172275486803

[VegasCharger]

First off, 1968-69 Chargers didn't have electric motors for the headlight doors only 1970-72.

1968-69 use vacuum to operate the doors. So that ad was listed incorrectly.

Also I'm not sure if the 1970 Charger motors were the same one used for 71-72 Chargers. But I will assume that the 71-72 motors are the same if they do differ from the 1970.

Hopefully someone will weigh in.



EDIT: 1966-67 Chargers also have electric motors.

[71 SE3834V]

No part # given on ebay ad.

If I'm reading the '70-'71 Parts Catalog right:
#3431 438 fits 70 Charger and 70-71 Chrysler, Imperial.
#3431 437 fits 70 Plymouth 2 dr w/Fury Spring Special and 71 Charger and Plymouth.

Sorry I don't have any info for '72.

[72lucy]

First off, 1968-69 Chargers didn't have electric motors for the headlight doors only 1970-72.

1968-69 use vacuum to operate the doors. So that ad was listed incorrectly.

Also I'm not sure if the 1970 Charger motors were the same one used for 71-72 Chargers. But I will assume that the 71-72 motors are the same if they do differ from the 1970.

Hopefully someone will weigh in.



EDIT: 1966-67 Chargers also have electric motors.

The motor on my car was working fine until recently. Now its stuck or something so now the covers are open and won't close. Maybe it helps to say this but im just a 34 year old girl trying to fix this car lol!   my knowledge is a bit limited but this forum has helped a bunch. Thanks for the info it was very helpful.  

[72lucy]

No part # given on ebay ad.

If I'm reading the '70-'71 Parts Catalog right:
#3431 438 fits 70 Charger and 70-71 Chrysler, Imperial.
#3431 437 fits 70 Plymouth 2 dr w/Fury Spring Special and 71 Charger and Plymouth.

Sorry I don't have any info for '72.

Thanks for the info. I will look into. These part numbers maybe helpful.

[71 SE3834V]

Won't close at all or won't close all the way? Mine won't close all the way so I use the manual knob.
Will the doors close with the manual knob?

[72lucy]

They didnt close all the way at one point. Motor was making a loud funny noise like its jammed. Motor is now unplugged and they are completely open and nothing happens with the manual nob.

[71 SE3834V]

Not closing all the way is usually the limit switch needing adjustment but it's tricky to do from what I read. But now it sounds like the plastic gear is shot. I believe new gears are available. The problem with buying a used one is it might have it's own problems. I don't know what it would cost to rebuild it but I believe a member by the name of Topher does this service.

[b5blue]

there are slight differences in the looks of the motors but all function the same   http://www.1970chargerregistry.com/mboard/index.php?topic=548.0

[70 sublime]

I had a 70 Charger and ended up taking the electric motor apart

If you have one on the car that is not working you can not make it work any less by opening it up to see what is in there 

My white plastic gear was stripped and just needed to get a new one

There are a couple brass strips that make contact when the motor turns
The red plastic part lifts the contact at the end of the stroke to make it stop and drops the other one down to make it go the other way when the power is put in to change direction
Sometimes the brass strips get crusty and will not make contact and just need to be cleaned

If you said it is still trying to go sounds like either the white gear is stripped and not turning far enough to lift the brass strip to stop motor or the brass strip is stuck down and telling it to keep turning

[hawkeye]

If any of you are contemplating taking the head apart, be sure the little arrows are lined up (about the middle of the turning travel).  One is on the white gear and the other on the head.  If not aligned you will bend the contacts when you pull it apart.

[72lucy]

Not closing all the way is usually the limit switch needing adjustment but it's tricky to do from what I read. But now it sounds like the plastic gear is shot. I believe new gears are available. The problem with buying a used one is it might have it's own problems. I don't know what it would cost to rebuild it but I believe a member by the name of Topher does this service.

That's what I'm afraid of. Buying by his one and having issues. Either way I saw no one was bidding and I got it for $150. If it doesn't work it won't be a huge loss. Hopefully it will work.

[72lucy]

there are slight differences in the looks of the motors but all function the same   http://www.1970chargerregistry.com/mboard/index.php?topic=548.0

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and purchased it. Got it for $150.  Looks just like the one installed on my charger but wasn't sure since the year is not the same.

[72lucy]

I had a 70 Charger and ended up taking the electric motor apart

If you have one on the car that is not working you can not make it work any less by opening it up to see what is in there 

My white plastic gear was stripped and just needed to get a new one

There are a couple brass strips that make contact when the motor turns
The red plastic part lifts the contact at the end of the stroke to make it stop and drops the other one down to make it go the other way when the power is put in to change direction
Sometimes the brass strips get crusty and will not make contact and just need to be cleaned

If you said it is still trying to go sounds like either the white gear is stripped and not turning far enough to lift the brass strip to stop motor or the brass strip is stuck down and telling it to keep turning

Yes its sound like its got power. At first I thought it was the rod that goes across but that was fine. That's when I decided to just cut the power and unplug it to prevent further damage and left the covers open. I purchased this other motor but I will take a look at the gears and brass strip on mines. If both work I guess I can always keep the other has a back up for future use.

[72lucy]

If any of you are contemplating taking the head apart, be sure the little arrows are lined up (about the middle of the turning travel).  One is on the white gear and the other on the head.  If not aligned you will bend the contacts when you pull it apart.

Awesome! Thanks for the tip.

[VegasCharger]

That's what I'm afraid of. Buying by his one and having issues. Either way I saw no one was bidding and I got it for $150. If it doesn't work it won't be a huge loss. Hopefully it will work.

If it doesn't work, return it. I see that the seller didn't accept returns in his listing. That still doesn't matter, if he/she listed as working and you have a defective motor you're still cover by eBay buyer protection.

If the motor ends up not working, kindly send a message to the seller thru the eBay message center and describe your situation. If he/she is a deadbeat and doesn't want to cooperate then you can open a case to eBay.

Trust me eBay buyers have a huge advantage over eBay sellers.

[71 SE3834V]

The problem is it may work but does it have hidden issues. Cracked gear, worn out brushes, etc. but I agree that it's a small investment to hopefully get your system up and running. At least now you can consider taking the time to send out your original to be rebuilt.

I've considered whether I should be proactive and open up my gear housing to put some lube on the gear. But since I rarely use the headlights, just once or twice a year mostly to showing someone they still work, that project is low on the list of things that need to be done.

[72lucy]

That's what I'm afraid of. Buying by his one and having issues. Either way I saw no one was bidding and I got it for $150. If it doesn't work it won't be a huge loss. Hopefully it will work.

That's good to know I've been buying stuff from eBay for years now but never have I had an issue that had to return something.
If it doesn't work, return it. I see that the seller didn't accept returns in his listing. That still doesn't matter, if he/she listed as working and you have a defective motor you're still cover by eBay buyer protection.

If the motor ends up not working, kindly send a message to the seller thru the eBay message center and describe your situation. If he/she is a deadbeat and doesn't want to cooperate then you can open a case to eBay.

Trust me eBay buyers have a huge advantage over eBay sellers.

[72lucy]

The problem is it may work but does it have hidden issues. Cracked gear, worn out brushes, etc. but I agree that it's a small investment to hopefully get your system up and running. At least now you can consider taking the time to send out your original to be rebuilt.

I've considered whether I should be proactive and open up my gear housing to put some lube on the gear. But since I rarely use the headlights, just once or twice a year mostly to showing someone they still work, that project is low on the list of things that need to be done.

Totally understandable. I have a few things on my list that are top priority but I saw this motor and thought it'd be a good idea to get it changed I'm actually taking care of that and the AC compressor.  The minute I turn it on belt jumps around.