Electrical Issue with Headlamp Door Motor Relay on 1969 - 71 Chrysler 300

[saforwardlook]

A friend of mine has a 69 300 with what seems to be a fast cycling intermittent headlamp door relay (makes an intermittent buzzing noise) when the headlight doors are open and the lights are on. I seem to recall hearing at least once that these relays do fail fairly early in life and that a replacement relay can be had from a typical electrical supply parts house. Or I see that an NOS one is available from MMPR (formerly Mitchell's Auto Parts) for a pricey sum of money. Has anyone dealt with this issue before. Really annoying when trying to drive at night.
I also found a technical service bulletin from 1972 addressing headlamp door motor relay cycling due to headlamp door adjustment issue that seems to also cause this:

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/images/TSBs/1972/08-05-72D p1.jpg

Anyone else have this problem in the past that can shed some light on the subject?

Thank for any input.

 

[F Preston]

It is not the relay, nor is it an adjustment, unless the motor was recently installed and no one paid attention to the position of the motor armature.

The headlamp door motor needs to be removed, disassembled, and greased; the limit switches are not contacting inside the motor, which causes the relay to chatter. Corrosion on the bearing adjacent to the manual actuator is most often the culprit.

A common problem, easily solved; I have never had to replace even one relay on any 300, New Yorker, Imperial, Fury, Charger, Royal Monaco or Magnum XE that I have owned.

I used to repair such headlight door motors for people, but this is an easy fix for those mechanically inclined.

 

[Mr C]

When the motor stops working or binds, the relay chatters as mentioned. This acts as a buzzer to let you know you probably have no headlights and should get out to check.

Sounds like the relay is doing its job.

Should I do a post on the headlight doors like I did on the power window motors?

 

[F Preston]

Go for it - you are right on the money.

 

[vdk2010]

Should I do a post on the headlight doors like I did on the power window motors?

Would be great if you could do that!

 

[Mr C]

I'm away on business and will work on it.