71 charger hidden healamp operation

[vitamin c]

Anyone know anything about the hidden headlamps on a 71 charger? My charger had the original hidden headlamps replaced with a standard grille. After finding the original grill, doors, electrical, and motor, today I test fired the system. The problem im running into is when the doors are opened or closed, the motor is wanting to turn to far and is tripping the circuit breaker in both directions. If I unhook the torsion rod from the doors the motor actuates perfectly in both directions. The torsion rod seems to get a bit of a twist to it when either closed or opened, and im sure its to keep the doors from rattling or bouncing, but when hooked up the doors it tries to go to far. The doors were disassembled cleaned and greased and work very easily by hand.

 

[Coronet 14]

This may sound silly but does the car sit level side to side. Could be torsion bar issue. Crank screw missing Be careful operating motor without the doors hooked up you can ruin the motor. Are the switch cams in the right position. Are the limit switches operating correctly.

 

[vitamin c]

not sure what you mean by car sitting level, but yes it does, and doors are level also. I'm afraid my memory didn't kick in until it was to late, and ive already damaged the motor by running it unhooked. It still operates, but I've started to damaged the plastic gear. Ive checked the switch cams, and think I have them correct, but that's probably my problem. ive pulled the switch cams apart several times and seem to have one direction working, but cant get the other. the problem I run into is not being able to run the motor unhooked to check the switch function. when I hook the motor up, it puts quite a twist on the torsion rod when the doors are up and or down. My first impression was the motor was traveling too far, but now after thinking about it, its probably the switches. I have found a cheap used motor from EBAG and am waiting for it to arrive for another test. ill try a cheap motor before springing for a rebuild or a $500 rebuilt unit

 

[Coronet 14]

Wish you were closer I'd try to help you get them working

 

[vitamin c]

I'm getting closer. My used Ebay replacement showed last night, and I put some time into it. The replacement has a much simpler switch arrangement. Before installing the replacement motor, I had to oil it up a bit to get free operation of the motor as it was very tight and hard to operate. Ive installed the motor and all is well, but now the motor seems to spin free enough that it wants to hit the end of the throw when the doors go up and the motor doesn't want to restart without a quick twist of the manual knob. I tried a quick adjustment of the switch, but it really doesn't stop the motor any sooner. ill report back after a dig a little deeper

 

[Coronet 14]

Did you get them to work

 

[vitamin c]

been busy last couple days, but still in the same boat. Everything works great, but when the doors go up, the motor over extends itself and locks the motor up. When you shut the lights off, If you just give the manual knob a "touch" it takes off and works great. not sure how I am going to resolve this problem, but I am close.