Headlight doors

[jbearden]

Where would you start your diagnosis?The headlight doors do not work on my 67.To be honest,I haven't even started to look at any of the wiring yet.The guy I bought it from said they quit working in the mid 80's.He just pulled the roll pins out flipped them up.Was it more the motors or relays that quit on these cars?Is there anything else in between that would cause them to fail?

 

[FROSTBITE]

Where would you start your diagnosis?The headlight doors do not work on my 67.To be honest,I haven't even started to look at any of the wiring yet.The guy I bought it from said they quit working in the mid 80's.He just pulled the roll pins out flipped them up.Was it more the motors or relays that quit on these cars?Is there anything else in between that would cause them to fail?

Take the front grille off, unhook the motors and see if there is voltage getting there when switch is on. When i first got my 66 the headlights worked like twice after i got the car. Had voltage at the motors, so i found this guy Topher ([email protected]) that rebuilds the motors. Sent them off and he got them turned around wicked fast. But if there isnt voltage at the motors, it could be a problem coming from your relays (3) behind the glove box or limit switches. Im sure there are more here that can help you out better then me. But i think checking voltage at the motors is a place to start

 

[gibber]

Headlight Circuit Schematic

[h=3]This is the headlight circuit from the source guide at 66-67Charger.com. Contact Chris McGinnis (Topher) for more info. He rebuilds the motors, and has produced new solid state limit switches. Bryan Ashcraft ([email protected]) sells the new solid state relays that go behind the glovebox on the firewall (3 of them, Open, Control, and Close). Topher can be reached at headlightmotorman.com.


Wiring Diagram[/h]

- - - Updated - - -

The motors can be checked by grounding the terminal that is 90 degrees to the other two, and then applying power to one terminal and then the other. The motor will run in both directions if it is OK. No rotate = rebuild.

Mark

 

[dpstark2]

In my experience, both the motors and relays fail. Also the circuit breaker behind the driver's side kick panel. And the limit switches. You pretty much have to check it all. The first step though, as mentioned, is to see if your motors work and if they are getting 12V at the appropriate time. Try those, post back, and people will tell you what to look at next if need help.

Those headlights are cool, but a pain until you get them working reliably.

 

[jbearden]

Thanks a lot guys!The first gen Charger has to be the coolest Mopar ever built because of the special things it had on it.The gauges,4 bucket seats,headlights and tail lights....just plain cool!As soon as I get back into town I'll check the motors.I'm glad I found out where to send them if they need to be rebuilt.In the next couple weeks I'll have the gauges,at least for the 66 sent off and restored too.Trying to work the bugs out of 2 of these cars is driving me broke and crazy,but damn it's fun.I'll have a BUNCH more questions as time goes on.This has to be the absolute best forum for Mopars.

 

[A383Wing]

Yes, I have the relay set if needed

Bryan

 

[gibber]

And I rebuild the gauge clusters...www.thegaugedoc.com.

Good luck on your car!

Mark

 

[jbearden]

Hey gibber!I didn't realize that was you.I've chatted with you quite a bit via email.I'm restoring/resto modding a 66 I bought my dad.His car has the 67 cluster in it with the rats nest for a wiring harness.Well,I just recently bought a set of 66 gauges off ebay to try in his car.If they work or not I'm still sending them off to be restored and looked over.I got a pretty big box of stuff to send your way right now.Just bought a complete under dash harness for a 66 from a guy and waiting to get the power pack and tach stuff from him too.I had to send back two of the small black power packs I bought off ebay from another guy because they didn't put out enough to light anything up.Pretty sure I'll get screwed on that deal because now the guy is saying he can't even find the box they were shipped back in (2 weeks ago) or if it's even come in yet.Once I get that box filled up I'll ship it to you.

 

[A383Wing]

I also rebuild the power packs for the dash lighting

Bryan

 

[gibber]

I've been trying to get the guy on Ebay banned for selling merchandise that doesn't work (those crappy black epoxy powerpacks). Bryan and I are banned from bidding on them.... wonder why?

One word of caution on used dash harnesses, check it over very carefully. Previous owners do all sorts of screwy things to those harness when adding on aftermarket radios, flux capacitors, and who knows what else, lol! Year one has lowered the price on new dash harnesses from over 500 bucks to 365 plus shipping. I replaced the one in my 67 project because of the hack job someone did on the original harness. I know its more money, but in my mind I don't want to take the dash out again chasing wires once I fire it up...Just my two cents...

Mark

 

[jbearden]

I wish they would ban him.I'm sure I'll never see that money again.Live and learn.The harness I got is in really decent shape.I can't see anything that has been cut anywhere.I'm just going to try to use it as a template for now.I'm running out of time to get these cars together.My plan was to drive these cars to Mopars at the Strip.Kinda worried they may not make the 2500 mile round trip,but I know my dad would love it.We won't show the cars,but if you see a yellow 66 and a white 67 in the parking lot,come say hi.Hope to see you guys there.

 

[gibber]

That should be a great road trip! My wife and I are going to Spring Fling again in Van Nuys, great show...we will be setting up the Gauge Doc booth in the vendor area. My 66 just did not like 115 degrees on I-10 thru Palm Desert last year, so taking out new Dart instead!

Mark

 

[Gpuller]

My brothers and I took my '66 to the Mopar Nats in 2000. 1500 mile round trip, we made with no problem. We figured if the car broke down somebody along the way would have some parts we could buy or borrow. I say go for it!

 

[jbearden]

Hey gibber,I'm getting ready to box up the gauges,power pack and tach sending unit for the 66 and ship it to you.I finally got the 67 running good enough to go around the block a few times.All the gauges work except the speedo and tach.Tach is stuck at 2400 RPM.Should I send those off to you as well?

 

[A383Wing]

gee...a 67 Charger tach stuck at 2400 rpm.....seems to be the factor on all of 'em

 

[jbearden]

Is that a problem with the 67's?I've never dealt with any of that before.Is there a simple fix to it?

 

[A383Wing]

it seems to be pretty common issue with the 67 tachs...the simple fix is to have it repaired by someone who knows how to do it. Mark can help you with that.

you also need to make sure the wire for the tach is connected to the "-" (negative) side of coil....if its on the wrong side...you will let the magic smoke out of the recently fixed tachometer

Bryan

 

[jbearden]

Thanks for the heads up.I'll get those gauges ready to ship out as well.Did the first gen Chargers have issues with their speedo?It seems like I'm batting 0-3 on having a complete working instrument panel.

 

[A383Wing]

I have only had one go out on me on my car since 1974....cable is probably broke