Rear spoiler occasionally doesn't auto-retract

[perleman]

A bit weird this, the spoiler is normally fine, and the switch opperates it as it should so clearly the motor etc is fine. Twice in the last few weeks I have got out of the car after a journey to find the spoiler still up & had to use the switch to lower it. What could it be - I'm assuming either a relay it's not getting speed info to the relays?

BTW it's a 1998 2.5 manual 986

Edited March 30, 2008 by perleman

[pk2]

A bit weird this, the spoiler is normally fine, and the switch opperates it as it should so clearly the motor etc is fine. Twice in the last few weeks I have got out of the car after a journey to find the spoiler still up & had to use the switch to lower it. What could it be - I'm assuming either a relay it's not getting speed info to the relays?

BTW it's a 1998 2.5 manual 986

You probably hit the nail on the head. An easy thing to try is to pull the relay in and out of it's socket several times to ensure you have good contacts. Also, with the relay out, you can give the relay plugs a lit once over with some fin sand paper or steel wool.

Also do the same with the fuse. You can also swap the relays, up for down to determine if it's the relay itself

No guaranty this will fix it, may just help with diagnosis. but it's a good thing to check. Mine does the same thing but I have to sort of “reboot” by taking the key out of the ign. And put it back in and twist.

Regards, PK

[1schoir]

A bit weird this, the spoiler is normally fine, and the switch opperates it as it should so clearly the motor etc is fine. Twice in the last few weeks I have got out of the car after a journey to find the spoiler still up & had to use the switch to lower it. What could it be - I'm assuming either a relay it's not getting speed info to the relays?

BTW it's a 1998 2.5 manual 986

Perleman:

Just wanted to make sure that you are aware of the location of the 'UP' and "DOWN" relays for the spoiler, i.e., in the trunk, on the driver's side, behind the carpet lining.

Regards, Maurice.

[perleman]

A bit weird this, the spoiler is normally fine, and the switch opperates it as it should so clearly the motor etc is fine. Twice in the last few weeks I have got out of the car after a journey to find the spoiler still up & had to use the switch to lower it. What could it be - I'm assuming either a relay it's not getting speed info to the relays?

BTW it's a 1998 2.5 manual 986

Perleman:

Just wanted to make sure that you are aware of the location of the 'UP' and "DOWN" relays for the spoiler, i.e., in the trunk, on the driver's side, behind the carpet lining.

Regards, Maurice.

Thanks for that, I'll take a look & post back.

[1schoir]

Thanks for that, I'll take a look & post back.

In a MY98, the spoiler relays are located as follows:

The spoiler extension relay is at position 3 (top row, third from the left as you are facing the relay carrier).

The spoiler retraction relay is at position 9 (bottom row, third from the left as you are facing the relay carrier).

Regards, Maurice.