Engine compartment instrument cluster light

[texanz71]

2000 Porsche Carrera 4 Cabriolet

I am having a consistent problem with the rear engine compartment lid indicator light. Each time I turn the car on, it stays illuminated. After I place the vehicle in drive and drive forward about 20 feet, it turns off and stays off.

It seems like it would be the rear latch, but here are what I've tried that are confusing me:

1) When the rear engine lid is shut, the instrument cluster light displays as stated above, however the cabrio top operates as normal.

2) When the rear engine lid is ACTUALLY ajar, the cabrio top will not work

3) I tried unplugging the wire that connects to the lower latch mechanism. There are only two wires, so I tried shorting it out to see if it would turn off the indicator light. With the two wires in both the open and shorted position, it did not change the indicator light. (This makes me think it is something other than the lower latch microswitch)

4) It was annoying me so much, that I even tried pulling the bulb from the instrument cluster. When the bulb was removed completely, the cabrio top went into safety mode and would not operate at all. Once I replaced the bulb, the cabrio top worked normally again.

Has anyone experienced this? How many sensors are there for the rear lid? I know this isn't a huge problem, but it is annoying to see a false indicator light each time. I bought the car used and have been fixing all the little problems; this is the last piece before it is 100%!

The members on this site have been a huge help. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Edited December 29, 2012 by texanz71

[Loren]

That is the spoiler light (not rear lid).

You are seeing the normal function - it will go off after a few feet of travel forward or backward.

[texanz71]

Loren, Thank You for clarifying. I can't understand why they would use an indicator light like that. I am glad to hear there are no issues with my car.

[pontifex4]

Sorry for dragging this up from the depths, but I just wanted to verify that mine is behaving normally, since it only seems to do this when I start it when it's already warm.

When I start it cold, it doesn't seem to do it.

Thanks,

Charlie.

[valfam]

I have the same light after I get on the highway and the wing comes up. After a few starts the light turns off until I get on the highway and hit over 74 again.