Today, while attempting to manually raise the rear spoiler (2002 996tt) to allow access for cleaning, I received a "rear spoiler failure" warning on the OBC and a warning light. After searching the list archives, it sounds like improperly jump starting the car can cause problems with this. Coincidently, when picking up the car from the dealer recently, the car had a dead battery. I assumed that it was due to the extremly cold evening and the possibility that they somehow ran the battery down while working on it. A service tech came out to the car and used a battery pack attached directly to the posts of the battery to jump start the vehicle. Is it possible that this fried something in the spoiler circuitry?

Also read on the list archives was the suggestion that this is a common occurence due to dirt building up on the components. The fix was to manually extend the spoiler and then clean and lubricate the components. My question here is this... how do you manually raise the spoiler if the manual button on the dash doesn't work? I've looked at the underside of the deck and don't see a way to do it there.

Lastly, when looking closely at the back of the spoiler, I do notice that one side is very slightly higher than the other.

Any suggestions? I prefer a quick DIY fix instead of another trip to the service department if possible.

Thanks,
Richard

 

Crowbar???

-Christian

 

But seriously, I doubt the jumpstart had anything to do with your current dillema. The reason why one is not supposed to jump directly to the battery terminals is to avoid a possible hydrogen gas explosion.

-Christian

 

Hopefully it will be a simple fix. While I'm intrigued by the crowbar idea, I'm afraid that might void the warranty.

-Richard

 

fast:
I had this pain in the *** problem for the first couple of months with a new 03 that subsequently stopped. Not only failure at 75 mph, but also when trying to deploy from the dash. Copious cleaning seemed to do the trick. To get the wing deployed I turned off the car, locked it and turned it back on again and bingo! Don't ask me why....

 

This is a common warranty problem. It is a known problem by PCNA, but not a recall as far as I know. The motor assembly must be replaced (under warranty). You can choose to stay out of the service dept. if you like, but you will not fix your issue that way.

 

Trojan Man is correct. I had mine replaced under warranty in 2002 (my car is an '00). No problem since then.
Greetings,
--Pierre

 

What motor

 

Thanks for the warranty issue update. I'll schedule my appointment today. I tried the lock/unlock idea and no go.

Thanks,
Richard

 

exactly - I was just going to say that here's a good reason for the factory aerokit. Saves weight too!

 

Since I haven't driven the car since the fault warning, the service department suggested I drive it 10 miles to "clear" the fault from the computer. If the warning light doesn't go out, then they'll need to service the car. Too bad it's winter here in Chicago. Hopefully the weather will be decent this weekend and I'll be able to test it out.

If this keeps happending after a fix, I think I'll be shopping for an upgraded spoiler solution.

Thanks to everyone for their responses,
Richard

 

Don't take that BS from the service department. The spoiler failing is a known problem and they are perfectly capable of clearing the fault with their computer. Sounds like they are just busy and want to stall you until they have time.