Spoiler deployed but will not retract
#2
It could be:
the one of the microswitches that detect the spoiler position
the cable that drives the gearbox
the gear drive itself
EDIT: Also a slight possibility it could be the drive motor or the control module under the dash
can't recall if there is a fuse for it but that is a good thing to check first. I suspect there is
any bad noises from back there?
the one of the microswitches that detect the spoiler position
the cable that drives the gearbox
the gear drive itself
EDIT: Also a slight possibility it could be the drive motor or the control module under the dash
can't recall if there is a fuse for it but that is a good thing to check first. I suspect there is
any bad noises from back there?
#4
FORGET THE DEALER. I see that you live in Pasadena, are you a PCA member of your local chapter? You are lucky to live in an area that is peppered with a handful of independent garages that services Porsches...garages that enthusiast know and trust.
If you cant find the malfunction, reach out to your fellow Porsche neighbors and find the right place to take your car.
If you cant find the malfunction, reach out to your fellow Porsche neighbors and find the right place to take your car.
#5
Check to make sure there isn't anything stuck in the motor mechanism. Mine was stuck in the up position last summer, after some poking around and a few slight taps or bangs on the edge of the spoiler a little black cap fell out of the gear sections and all was fine again.
The black cap was one of the little bolt covers from one of the little bolts holding the spoiler unit to the decklid itself. The little caps resemble the small caps put on the bolts used in a kids swingset to keep anyone from getting scratched by an exposed nut/bolt.
I guess I was a little too aggressive with my drying of the underside of the spoiler area after a wash and knocked the cap loose/off.
The black cap was one of the little bolt covers from one of the little bolts holding the spoiler unit to the decklid itself. The little caps resemble the small caps put on the bolts used in a kids swingset to keep anyone from getting scratched by an exposed nut/bolt.
I guess I was a little too aggressive with my drying of the underside of the spoiler area after a wash and knocked the cap loose/off.
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#8
Hi FGL,
I had the same problem some time ago and was caused by a lack of grease on the spoiler mechanism gears, which you'll find under the engine cover. This had caused the mechanism to seize completely. My spoiler was stuck in the up position and would not retract and it wasn't making any noise.
This was a simple fix, 5-10 minute fix.
1. Lift your engine lid.
2. Remove the black plastic, semi-circular cover attached to the left-hand underside of the engine lid.
3. Use some WD40 on the micro-switches and gear mechanism and wipe away any residue or dirt.
4. Apply a lithium grease (such as Castrol LM) to the gear wheels.
5. Test the mechanism by running a few cycles of the spoiler, keeping any stray fingers clear.
6. Refit the cover.
7. Repeat process every few years.......
Fingers crossed that this will work for you too!
P.S. I was missing one of the rubber nut covers from inside the spoiler recess of the engine lid. It was hiding inside the aforementioned black plastic cover for the spoiler mechanism!!!!!
I had the same problem some time ago and was caused by a lack of grease on the spoiler mechanism gears, which you'll find under the engine cover. This had caused the mechanism to seize completely. My spoiler was stuck in the up position and would not retract and it wasn't making any noise.
This was a simple fix, 5-10 minute fix.
1. Lift your engine lid.
2. Remove the black plastic, semi-circular cover attached to the left-hand underside of the engine lid.
3. Use some WD40 on the micro-switches and gear mechanism and wipe away any residue or dirt.
4. Apply a lithium grease (such as Castrol LM) to the gear wheels.
5. Test the mechanism by running a few cycles of the spoiler, keeping any stray fingers clear.
6. Refit the cover.
7. Repeat process every few years.......
Fingers crossed that this will work for you too!
P.S. I was missing one of the rubber nut covers from inside the spoiler recess of the engine lid. It was hiding inside the aforementioned black plastic cover for the spoiler mechanism!!!!!
Last edited by Cristel993; 01-04-2011 at 12:15 PM.
#10
Thread Starter
Anjin San
Rennlist Member
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,881
Likes: 7
From: South Pasadangerous, California
#11
Thread Starter
Anjin San
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,881
Likes: 7
From: South Pasadangerous, California
Hi FGL,
I had the same problem some time ago and was caused by a lack of grease on the spoiler mechanism gears, which you'll find under the engine cover. This had caused the mechanism to seize completely. My spoiler was stuck in the up position and would not retract and it wasn't making any noise.
This was a simple fix, 5-10 minute fix.
1. Lift your engine lid.
2. Remove the black plastic, semi-circular cover attached to the left-hand underside of the engine lid.
3. Use some WD40 on the micro-switches and gear mechanism and wipe away any residue or dirt.
4. Apply a lithium grease (such as Castrol LM) to the gear wheels.
5. Test the mechanism by running a few cycles of the spoiler, keeping any stray fingers clear.
6. Refit the cover.
7. Repeat process every few years.......
Fingers crossed that this will work for you too!
P.S. I was missing one of the rubber nut covers from inside the spoiler recess of the engine lid. It was hiding inside the aforementioned black plastic cover for the spoiler mechanism!!!!!
I had the same problem some time ago and was caused by a lack of grease on the spoiler mechanism gears, which you'll find under the engine cover. This had caused the mechanism to seize completely. My spoiler was stuck in the up position and would not retract and it wasn't making any noise.
This was a simple fix, 5-10 minute fix.
1. Lift your engine lid.
2. Remove the black plastic, semi-circular cover attached to the left-hand underside of the engine lid.
3. Use some WD40 on the micro-switches and gear mechanism and wipe away any residue or dirt.
4. Apply a lithium grease (such as Castrol LM) to the gear wheels.
5. Test the mechanism by running a few cycles of the spoiler, keeping any stray fingers clear.
6. Refit the cover.
7. Repeat process every few years.......
Fingers crossed that this will work for you too!
P.S. I was missing one of the rubber nut covers from inside the spoiler recess of the engine lid. It was hiding inside the aforementioned black plastic cover for the spoiler mechanism!!!!!
#12
Check to make sure there isn't anything stuck in the motor mechanism. Mine was stuck in the up position last summer, after some poking around and a few slight taps or bangs on the edge of the spoiler a little black cap fell out of the gear sections and all was fine again.
The black cap was one of the little bolt covers from one of the little bolts holding the spoiler unit to the decklid itself. The little caps resemble the small caps put on the bolts used in a kids swingset to keep anyone from getting scratched by an exposed nut/bolt.
I guess I was a little too aggressive with my drying of the underside of the spoiler area after a wash and knocked the cap loose/off.
The black cap was one of the little bolt covers from one of the little bolts holding the spoiler unit to the decklid itself. The little caps resemble the small caps put on the bolts used in a kids swingset to keep anyone from getting scratched by an exposed nut/bolt.
I guess I was a little too aggressive with my drying of the underside of the spoiler area after a wash and knocked the cap loose/off.
Derek
#13
A few months ago, a bearing in the little electric motor for the spoiler on the underside of the lid seized up, and I started getting a warning light telling me that my spoiler wasn't working. There was a diy somewhere that gave me some guidance in how things work, and I bought a little bearing on the internet and fixed it. The project did involve splitting the plastic case of the electric motor to get at the bearing inside. Even if that isn't your problem, that diy has some helpful information.
PS In investigating that problem I also discovered that my spoiler wall had some pretty bad cracks in it, so i replaced that too, but that didn't have anything to do with my motor not working.
PS In investigating that problem I also discovered that my spoiler wall had some pretty bad cracks in it, so i replaced that too, but that didn't have anything to do with my motor not working.