Springer3, Noted your expertise on the troubleshooting electron flow in the C2. Would value your opinion. The '90 C2 has a recently developed habit of displaying the alternator light when I activate the brake pedal at low speed or at a stop. Tapping the brake a high speed does not cause the problem. Braking with the E-Brake avoids the alt light illumination. Battery is 13.9 V at idle....no change when I step on the brake. Light goes off when I restart the car. Brake lights work fine, fresh rebuilt Bosch alternator, first electrical issue I have had. Any thoughts? Thanks, Frank

Sam:

Your problem is in the switching section, and in every case I have seen was the transister that drove one of the two main relays. It is, of course, the extend relay which seems to be the problem, and it keeps the wing up whenever the ignition is on. It is bad because the relay stays powered all the time, and heat builds up inside the module. If the retract relay is at fault it causes serious battery drain. Repair is pretty simple if you can do board-level component replacements. Follow the leg from the relay that is warm/hot after driving. That is the bad one. I solder sucker makes removal much easier. If you can get the OEM transister, replace it with the case in the same orientation. A 2n2222 is a general-purpose switcher and seems more rugged than the OEM 337. It must be installed with the case reversed, because the collector and emmitter are reversed.

I agree your motor is fine. In every case I have seen or heard about, one of those two transisters is blown.

springer3,

Remember me? See PM 3/30/2010.

I've decided to try to fix my spoiler control board myself by replacing the transistor(s). I don't have the discretionary money, believe it or not, to buy your spare as you suggested. Would you care to share which transformer you think is the one causing my problem?

Spoiler rises when control board is plugged in and stays up continuously thereafter, even when board is unplugged and/or switch is turned to "off" position. Motor is OK as I can power it from an external source through the connector and it works in both up and down directions as the polarity is reversed.

Thanks for any help you will share.

Sam

just happened to see your post .. re search for a neighbour seeking a clean cab with 5 spd.

no affiliation, was cking their inventory lists (for a lotus) & this popped up....

http://www.weissach.com/auto-details.asp?autoID=1013

price above your threshold but with 50,000 miles and the car looks cherry. dealer is expensive but has 1st class rep (they are a designated RUF shop) and owner is a 911 early series p-car nut.

cheers, gerry