JohnnyDangerous

Hi guys, got a problem with my rear spoiler warning lite on the dash coming up, basically telling me the spoiler has not raised when it has and not lowered when it clearly has, any ideas ????

Invius

When is it coming on, under what conditions, etc? Try and be more specific.

jcalhoun

Either spoiler rams are leaking, microswitches are not working correctly, or the pump is starting to go out. Extremely common problem and the dealership only sells the entire system for close to $2k+ labor. Try searching the 996tt forum for endless threads on this topic.

JohnnyDangerous

It goes up at around 70 mph and down around 40, goes up and down fast so dont thing its a ram problem.

Macster

Open the engine compartment lid and check for signs of spoiler ram fluid leakage. The bottoms of the spoiler ram housings or on the engine compartment sheet metal below where the spoilers reside when the engine compartment lid is closed.

If you find fluid leak sign, and I suspect you will, the cylinder or cylinders are leaking.

At some point the spoiler will probably not go up evenly or retract evenly.

There are several options. Replace the spoiler assembly with a new one. Roughly a $2K job at a dealer.

Search out the numerous spoiler leak/bleed DIY posts and pick one you like.

Buy a fixed spoiler kit from eBay.

Oh, remove the spoiler fuse so the spoiler doesn't get deployed at 70mph. This has the spoiler warning message, alarm and light on when the spoiler should deploy. Annoying after a while. And I can't comment on the negative affects this might have on vehicle aerodynamics at speed or engine compartment cooling at speed.

Be aware that if you remove the spoiler fuse the engine compartment switch next to the driver's seat will not work. You have to install the fuse to open the engine compartment.

Hurdigurdiman

Would be nice if there was some kind of indication to tell me if the spoiler was in fact up or down as I can't see my spoiler from the driving seat. If it is working correctly, then no dash light shows. If it's not working correctly then a warning light shows on the dash? Would a Porsche durametric tester or the pwi2 be of help to you?

JohnnyDangerous

I have read a lot of posts on this and strangely my rams are nice and dry, is there any way of swapping the microswitches out?? Ive read the posts about the drivers glass not staying down till after the door shuts and some guys said they bought new microswitches that they butchered for parts. Is it possible to trick the switches into working at all.

pesuazo

There is a an aftermarket mod for this, and I happen to have an extra "indicator light" for sale.....

5CHN3LL

Since I have the GT3 wing, I can't comment on whether or not it'll work for the 996, but in my Boxster, I always pulled the fuse with the spoiler deployed when autocrossing to get the downforce benefits. Any reason OP can't do this and just leave it in the raised position?

5CHN3LL

(I realize that this will negatively impact fuel economy, but if I cared about fuel economy, I'd drive something else. )

JohnnyDangerous

Would that not leave the warning light on, the spoiler works fine its just the warning light I hate.

jcalhoun

My warning light was coming on. I checked the rams and saw no signs of leaks. Ignored the warning for about a month before one day when driving down the interstate the spoiler deployed, but only the left side went up. Turned out that the main pump was going bad. I pulled the system and bought the ebay fixed wing kit. I'll likely end up buying a gt2 style fixed wing before I spend $2,500 on the same hydraulic kit that has a bad reputation for failing.

Macster

In the case of the Turbo the cylinders are under pressure when the spoiler is raised and if the reason to raise the spoiler is to avoid addressing the cylinders are going bad this then has the very good chance of speeding up their decline.

Also, I didn't want to raise the spoiler full time and possibly douse the engine compartment hardware with spoiler fluid. IIRC it is Pentosin and harmfull to rubber.

After I thoroughly cleaned the fluid away and drove the car some time and avoiding triggering the spoiler to deploy then inspected the spoiler area for signs of leaks and found none I decided that spoiler that didn't deploy was not a fluid leak source and decided to remove the fuse.

If the spoiler hydraulic system is truly at the root cause of the spoiler warning lights there is either remove the fuse so the spoiler does not cannot go up or down (and put up with the inconvenience of being denied ready access to the engine compartment and whatever degradation there is to the car's aerodynamics at speeds at which or above when the spoiler would otherwise be deployed) or replace it with a new hydraulic system or attempt one of the DIY spoiler system repairs or buy some aftermarket fixed wing setup or fixed spoiler kit.

Hurdigurdiman

Bad reputation for failing??????????????????? So here we go again with the 996 getting another regular failing part... I have read thousands of posts and this is the first time I have ever read about a spoiler on the 996 FAILING.