996 turbo boot spoiler not working

[maxpaul]

Rear spoiler not lifting at speed or by dash switch.
I have checked the fuse in the drivers foot well and all is ok. please can someone advise where is the controlling relay and what further tests can i make?

[dank]

Heard this is common, something to do with the hydraulic rams, sorry for no mechanical help, i'd personally take into nearest specialist and get them to take a look, not cheap to fix either I believe!

[maxpaul]

Can the rams be removed tested and repaired?
Need to find a way to test for feeds and circuits

[promax3]

There are two micro switches on the offside ram under a cover, check those, and there are two relays on the relay carrier under the rear shelf, so remove the bose unit and then the carpet and carrier. Most likeley either of those two, check the rams for oil leaks.

[Crimp a Length!]

It is common, and you have to buy the rams in pairs to include Porsche tax.

[maxpaul]

Thanks Promax will check these first
I have seen a fixed wing fitted to the std engine cover or maybe an aero wing may be an option if cant fix
May be cheaper than a pair of rams?

[996TT02]

Are you getting the dash warning light? You should if it's a problem with the rams themselves.

It appears that the rams fail by leaking oil, so if yours are dry the problem may lie elsewhere.

If they are leaking and you don't fancy shelling out an absolute fortune for them, it IS possible to rebuild these "sealed" units, there is a how-to online somewhere if you google it.

One of mine shows signs of a minor oil leak and I got the warning light and failure to lift on a couple of occasions but it seems to have sorted itself out...

Must be that when I do use the car it tends to be put to good use

[maxpaul]

Thanks 99602tt no leaks and no warning lights thats why I thought it may be a fuse or relay

[maxpaul]

Thanks 99602tt no leaks and no warning lights thats why I thought it may be a fuse or relay

[maxpaul]

Thanks 99602tt no leaks and no warning lights thats why I thought it may be a fuse or relay

[steve singh]

Hope it's something other than the rams as from memory it is a grand to sort at a specialist...i might be wrong though!

[maxpaul]

Thanks 99602tt no leaks and no warning lights thats why I thought it may be a fuse or relay

[maxpaul]

Thanks 99602tt no leaks and no warning lights thats why I thought it may be a fuse or relay

[Rockster]

If the spoiler doesn't go up when it should and there are no warning lights/messages it reads like a fuse.

Quick "test". Can you open the engine compartment cover with the electrical switch on the rocker panel?

The spoiler fuse also serves as a fuse for the engine compartment lid electric latch release. Found this out the 'hard way'...

The fuse box cover should have a fuse position document in it.

[996TT02]

Rockster said:

The spoiler fuse also serves as a fuse for the engine compartment lid electric latch release. Found this out the 'hard way'...

There's an emergency release cable under one of the rear light clusters... which ideally you need the engine cover open to be able to remove, I think now how does that work out?!!

[Rockster]

996TT02 said:

There's an emergency release cable under one of the rear light clusters... which ideally you need the engine cover open to be able to remove, I think now how does that work out?!!

On my car it was between/behind the left rear taillight and the bumper cover. The tech inserted a plastic wedge to make a gap and with a light spotted it and then reached in with a long then hook and snaked it out.

But there's no need to resort to that. All I had to do was install the fuse I pulled to kill the spoiler to keep from pumping Pentosin fluid out all over the car's rear and going up crooked and possibly doing serious damage to something.

[maxpaul]

Thanks 996tt02 engine lip opens ok with switch on rocker panel so fuse ok

[maxpaul]

Am I correct in assuming that there is a hydraulic pump mounted in the engine lid ?
If so would be easy to check for a feed when dash switch used. Would that be a good start?
That would check relay operation and wiring.

[Nobby Diesel]

Yes, the pump is mounted under the plastic cover, under the engine cover. Its an aluminium extrusion, square in section and about 200mm long.
You'll see the braided hose and banjo, son necking to the top of it.

[maxpaul]

Thanks for your help so far
The fuse is OK and the engine lid release works which is on the same fuse ( I think)
I have a live feed to the dash switch one position only
I have no dash warning lights
I have no red warning light in the dash switch
The lifting rams are very dry no signs of any fluid loss
Do I go for the lift pump in the engine lid and check for live feed when using dash switch?
Do I remove rear Bose and carpet and check relays?
Or do I enjoy the lovely body lines without the spoiler working!!
Any help please.

Paul