Rear Spoiler Warning Light

[Toyguy]

On some occasions the rear spoiler warning light in the cluster comes on and stays on.  At other times, it's off.  I'm guessing maybe a flaky switch but as a new owner I don't know much about the systems yet.  Does the spoiler on my 1998 Boxster have such a switch?

 

I suspect this may also be related to my key fob remote lock/unlock not working.  If I hold the central lock button on the fob for a couple seconds the car does lock, but after about 5-10 seconds it sounds the horn once.  Research seems to say this is the locking system warning that something isn't closed.  I'm hopeful it's the spoiler issue also.

 

Thanks!

[JFP in PA]

The spoiler issue is not related to the alarm system fault.

 

Under the dash, to the left of your left foot is the fuse panel for the car; in the center of that panel is an up and down switch for the spoiler.  Normally, the spoiler warning light comes on to indicate that either the spoiler has not extended when it should, or has not retracted when it should; and these actions are controlled by signals from micro switches in the spoiler assembly that indicate the unit's physical position.

[Toyguy]

Thanks!  The manual spoiler switch does move the spoiler up and down but the movement is very chunky and shuddering.  Sounding like maybe I need to find a replacement mechanism, though maybe I'll pull it and see if I can check out the switches and free up the movement.

 

I thought I had read in the manual that the spoiler needed to be stowed when the central locking was engaged.  I'd assumed that the horn beep was letting me know that it wasn't but sounds like I may have a separate locking issue.  The key works to lock and unlock the car though, so that one can wait.  I'll focus for now on clearing the spoiler warning light off the cluster.

[Toyguy]

Think I may have figured this out.  Reading the manual again tonight, I noticed a statement that said the Spoiler Warning light comes on with the ignition and goes off when you drive off.  I've been seeing it after starting the car while still sitting parked, so I'm hopeful that is all it is.  I will see next time I take her out.  It would explain why sometimes the light is out.

 

I also lightly lubed the two spoiler lift shafts with a light Teflon oil and it's back to moving smoothly again.  The previous owner had no idea there was even a manual switch and I suspect that mechanism just never moved much and got stiff.