So my spoiler has been working just fine for months now, until the "spoiler control failure" light went on a few seconds after the car was started. The strange thing though is that the spoiler works perfectly fine, it raises and lowers just as it would when I use the button AND when I hit 75mph. But, the spoiler always comes down within a minute after I manually put it up or I hit 75mph and it goes up. Any suggestions?

The hydraulic system for the spoiler was actually replaced once before, way back when I didn't have the car (I got it last April).

 

IIRC there are two relays one associated with the deploying and one with the retracting.

I'd hazard a guess -- just a guess mind -- a relay was intermittently failing after a time.

Now which relay -- if of course it is a relay and no guarantees of course -- is suspect I have no idea.

A long shot: You might try reproducing the failure and just to be safe carefully feeling the relays to see if one is real hot (or cold) or there is a marked difference in the temp of the two relays.

 

So I took a look under the deck lid and saw that the left pillar where the shaft of the spoiler sits is leaking fluid. A day later, the right pillar had a little bit of fluid as well :/ I need some advice guys!

 

If you search there is a I believe Lucas sealer guys use and then bleed system if that doesn't work complete system can be replaced or put spoiler in fixed position with a kit from e-bay.

 

+1 on the re-bleed. The DIY how to is posted here every other week!
Search.. and if you can't find it.. we can repost it.
I can attest to it solving low ram fluid issues. Highly prevalent issue.

 

Fluid in evidence is a sign the hydraulic system is leaking.

Some have reported success in addressing the leaks (using I guess Stop Leak) and re-bleeding the system.

I'm not a big fan of using these over the counter elixirs to address fluid leaks. If that's your style though have at it.

The cylinders are available separately. Roughly $300/each was what I was quoted. You still have to bleed the system and get the two cylinders balanced so the spoiler goes up and down correctly.

Like I said some have reported success in doing this.

There is the fixed spoiler option too.

I elected to have the spoiler replaced at the dealer. With parts and labor the bill came to a bit over over $2K.

Up to you how you address the spoiler issue.

 

You can have the hydraulics rebuilt superior parts so they are less likely to fail.

http://cabriolethydraulics.com/porsche-carrera-hydraulics.php

 

thanks for all the feedback guys, does anyone have a link to the fixed spoiler kit on ebay? I would rather just go with that route because I don't even like the look with the spoiler down. I found a kit on ebay being sold by "sprtampa", is this the one?

 

User name sbrtampa on eBay. Search and you will find it
He makes a nice collection of bolts for 150.00. Still have it
But a spoiler re-bleed will give you satisfaction the fixed wing kit won't lol

 

haha you make a good point. Are there any risks if you do a re-bleed properly?

 

No. Only if you don't. I wouldn't do this myself. But experienced DIY folks can.
It's NOT difficult for those mechanically inclined.
It is NOT to be attempted by someone with limited skill.
It's a messy job usually requiring a few attempts at equalizing the fluid level l to r when you add pentosin or Lucas stop leak. Just don't think that the fixed wng kit or the replacement setup for $1500 or OEM for $2k is your only option. As It isn't.

 

thanks for the insight, I have my indy down the street who could take a look. If for some reason I definitely need a new hydraulic system, fixed wing kit it is!

 

if your indie has no experience with inexpensively repairing our spoilers for a can of stop leak and some bench time f8ck*ng with it, i'd find a new indie. it's so doable it's ridiculous. but most.. don't try. but.. if you like your spoiler "up" get the fixed wing kit, and be done. as for me i like sh*t to work as designed, unless i think my unplugging stuff improves upon the original design my first spoiler deployed mechanically in "93(?), and though that c2 was buck ugly? the spoiler worked just fine sans oil.

 

he's very well known in the area for his knowledge and experience so I'm optimistic. And agreed with the statement about how things should work as they were designed. I'll have to pass if it ends up being $2k though

 

...and jay.. i agree with you fully. given the x beers i just had were responsible for the tenor of the info i was trying to impart what i mean,.. is he might be a great indie tech.. and still not ever have had to mess with *ingenuous* repairs that many of us attempt in an effort at circumventing the prescribed oem fix. mostly because it usually involves replacing stuff, rather than "repairing" it. my point.. ( if i had one )..but i would want a tech that can fix stuff when no parts are around, or if unnecessary, eg.. low fluid in rams. doh.

and you're right. i wouldn't pay 2k to a dealer for those parts either. in fact, once my spoiler goes for good? i'm gonna take my $2k over to my dealer down the street and ask for a new spoiler with a 997t attached to it. they've seen me coming like that and have profited before