Rear Spoiler comes up at speed, but does not go back down

[willcapp]

I've taken off my static rear spoiler off and re connected the cables for the electric auto spoiler. It goes up to a full extension with one push of the button (down in the footwell). I have to hold the button down to lower it.

1st question - is that normal?

If I raise and then lower. I can not repeat the process without first turning the key to OFF and then back to ON

2nd question - is that normal?

Lastly, when I am driving I can see (don't ask how :rolleyes: ) the spoiler go up. When I drop back down under 55 (or even lower) the spoiler does not automatically go down. nor can I manually put it down.

3rd question - is that normal? Obviously, this last one is not normal. I just don't know what may be causing the problem.

BTW - I did notice however there is another wiring connector (2 wire) that is not plugged into anything. I'm sure it should be plugged in somewhere, I just don't know where or what it goes to.

Also, the dash light for the spoiler does not go off

Thanks for your help!!!

2000 2.7L

Edited December 10, 2007 by willcapp

[1schoir]

I've taken off my static rear spoiler off and re connected the cables for the electric auto spoiler. It goes up to a full extension with one push of the button (down in the footwell). I have to hold the button down to lower it.

1st question - is that normal?

If I raise and then lower. I can not repeat the process without first turning the key to OFF and then back to ON

2nd question - is that normal?

Lastly, when I am driving I can see (don't ask how :rolleyes: ) the spoiler go up. When I drop back down under 55 (or even lower) the spoiler does not automatically go down. nor can I manually put it down.

3rd question - is that normal? Obviously, this last one is not normal. I just don't know what may be causing the problem.

BTW - I did notice however there is another wiring connector (2 wire) that is not plugged into anything. I'm sure it should be plugged in somewhere, I just don't know where or what it goes to.

Also, the dash light for the spoiler does not go off

Thanks for your help!!!

2000 2.7L

As to question #3, that is not normal. The spoiler is supposed to retract automatically when your speed drops below 55 MPH.

There are two connectors that are joined together and that are mounted on the spoiler housing inside the trunk. One is for the spoiler motor, and the other is for the trunk lock switch. You can follow the one that leads back from the spoiler motor leads to one of those two connectors. It's possible that it is only your trunk lock switch connector that is not connected because you say that you can raise and retract the spoiler manually with the switch in the footwell.

Therefore, your spoiler motor must be connected.

Since you also say that your spoiler up warning light stays on (and that it doesn't retract automatically), your spoiler retraction relay may be faulty. That relay is number 9 in the relay panel 2, which is located in the rear trunk, on the driver's (left) side behind the carpet on that side. Number 9 is the THIRD RELAY FROM THE LEFT (as you are facing the relay panel from inside the trunk) in the BOTTOM ROW of the two rows of relays.

Make sure that relay hasn't worked itself loose. If it's on there snugly, pull it on and off a couple of times (may clean off some surface corrosion), or even take it out and give it a couple of sharp raps on a hard surface. That sometimes will bring a relay back to life.

Let us know if you get any results.

Regards, Maurice.

[willcapp]

Maurice,

Thanks for the response.

I'll check it out this evening.

Thanks again! :)

Will

[willcapp]

Hey Maurice,

I checked out that relay this evening. I pulled several out actually because they are difficult to get out....but anyway.

The leads look immaculate - no corrosion. I also put an Ohm meter on that particular relay. since there was a schematic on

relay I checked for opens and shorts where appropriate. It appears fine. I reseated the relay, but have yet to test...It's late :rolleyes:

BTW - there is a bundle of wires that go into a 2-piece plug. The top piece has 2 wires - I found out this goes to the trunk light. The second piece of the plug was the piece that was previously disconnected and appears to be for the spoiler.

However, there is a third 2-pair cables that goes to a connector that has plus sign (+) type of shapes on the end of the connector - as in looking at the plug's end. I wish my camera worked.

I'm not sure what this is supposed to be plugged into. It is just lying there and I can't find anything needing the male end of a connector.

Anyway, that's where I am at. I'll test drive tomorrow and check the light and the auto-retract of the spoiler.

Thanks,

Will

BTW - It is connector B02A24 - See Below

Edited December 11, 2007 by willcapp

[willcapp]

alright...I tested it out.

I went for a drive today. The light went out on the dash and when I got up to speed the spoiler popped out. At below 55 it retracted. All normal

EXCEPT?

When I went for another drive and the light stayed on and the spoiler popped up but did not retract.

Does anyone think that this is from a faulty relay, wire or plug?

I looked at the wiring diagram last night and noticed that there was something about "Tailgate open" which is numbered N86.

Anyone know what this is for? OR if could this be part of the issue I'm having?

Edited December 11, 2007 by willcapp

[willcapp]

I replaced the spoiler retraction relay. Still does not work. the dash light stays on. the spoiler goes up at speed, but does not go automatically down. I have to turn off the car and then turn back on and manually lower the spoiler.

Anyone have any ideas?

Edited December 12, 2007 by willcapp

[juniinc]

Uhm not working w/ new relay?

very weird , rare problem I'd say. If its not the relay,it would have to be the signal problem. Well Speed control is supposed to get a signal to retract from your instrument cluster in auto mode. Obviously u r getting a upper speed signal but not a lower limit speed signal . It's going to take a lot of diggin & wire tracing to do!

I see Loren provided a cluster wiring sheet, it is probably 1 of those indicator spoiler retraction wire- Im thinking!

I replaced the spoiler retraction relay. Still does not work. the dash light stays on. the spoiler goes up at speed, but does not go automatically down. I have to turn off the car and then turn back on and manually lower the spoiler.

Anyone have any ideas?

Edited December 13, 2007 by juniinc

[Loren]

MY00 Boxster spoiler circuitry

[willcapp]

thanks guys!

I also printed off the diagram from my Bentley. I did notice on the diagram there was something shown above the Left Spoiler extension relay called "TAILGATE OPEN" and labled N86.

Anyone know what that is about or where to physically find it?

[Loren]

[willcapp]

what do the numbers and letters in the boxes denote?

[Loren]

In this case...

30 = unswitched power

K76 denotes which is 76 on the left hand margin and K on the top margin schematic location (in this case it is on sheet 8 of the schematics - which is most of what I posted above)

31 = ground

M78 denotes which is 78 on the left hand margin and M on the top margin schematic location (in this case it is on sheet 8 of the schematics)

[1schoir]

thanks guys!

I also printed off the diagram from my Bentley. I did notice on the diagram there was something shown above the Left Spoiler extension relay called "TAILGATE OPEN" and labled N86.

Anyone know what that is about or where to physically find it?

Will:

From the diagram that Loren posted, it looks like the mystery connector is the one that goes to the "Tailgate Opener", as that one in the diagram shows the exact wire colors that you describe (i.e., a red wire, and a blue wire with a black stripe).

Regards, Maurice.

[willcapp]

Maurice,

you're right!!! DUH!!!

I went back and looked at the diagram. I didn't notice it earlier.

Thanks for your help

[willcapp]

I'm trying to troubleshoot this thing and I have another question...

When the spoiler goes down does it make any clicking noises when it reaches the end of it's travel?

Is there some part that limits travel of the spoiler or tells it to stop applying power to it because it has reached it's lowered position?

Any help would be great!!!

-Will