992 spoiler not flush

[6DW]

Have been away for a few weeks, and before going, I was unsure if I should have connected the CTEK, but didn’t.

After retuning home I went to start the car , and it ‘just about’ turned over and fired, but the dash lit up like a disco with many error messages, chassis failure, locking failure, coolant low, etc.

Eventually, I thought I should put the CTEK on overnight and try next day.

It then fired up easily, but showed an error message, ‘convertible roof faulty’, ok to drive but see dealer. I tried the roof switch but nothing. I also tried to open the small rear engine access flap but that didn’t work either.

I thought it may require a short run, so it could try and reset itself after the many errors I saw the previous day. I also switched off and locked the car, believing that may also help the reset. But when I did a short peep emitted and the light on the inside window triangle glowed for approx 10 seconds then went out. It usually continually flashes when locked.

So I went a short drive, going above 60 so the rear spoiler would rise, and came back to check. No change, convertible roof still errors and locking not right.

I then noticed that the rear spoiler didn’t seem to fit as flush as I remember, so did the process as per a suggestion on this forum, get someone to sit inside and press spoiler switch to raise and lower, and when it was lowering putting gentle pressure to ensure it seated, but that still didn’t help.

I have contacted my OPC but all they can offer is to have it in first week in January.

With the temperatures as they are at the moment, I am obviously not bothered about a functioning soft top, but would like to try to get the locking sorted and be able to use the rear lubes access flap if needed.

Does anyone have any ideas what I may be able to check or reset to try and correct the fault?

I wonder if the rear spoiler isn’t seating correctly, perhaps the sensor is not allowing the engine flap and convertible roof to work as it thinks the spoiler is in the way.

Thanks anyway
David

 

[Bluetonic]

I had this on my 992 Carrera S and now have it on my GTS.
I'm sure its temp related. First time it happened was the winter of 2020 after which it went away when it warmed up, then came back again in the winter of 21 and you guessed it went away again when temps went up above 4-5C.
Sure enough its getting cold again and the spoiler on the GTS sits a little higher than normal in retracted setting after a drive.
Now it could also be battery related as my car doesn't gets used a lot in the winter so there is that. But, it would be interesting to know how the mechanism works as it could be a safeguard against frost.

 

[mikegibson]

6DW - Many of us have experienced the spoiler not flush issue and to my knowledge no one has a definitive explanation of the cause. There is a rumour that it is a deliberate action on the part of the car to prevent the spoiler from sticking closed in frosty weather - if that were the case, I am sure we would find official reference to this and I believe this is a myth which began at an OPC as a means of explaining the inexplicable. I think it plausible that in cold weather the extensive plastics that make up the spoiler and mechanism distort slightly with the result it looks to be sitting proud though I have observed mine to appear slightly raised in summer months too. As I mentioned in my original post, my spoiler got "Stuck" in a semi open position and eventually, with gentle persuasion with my daughter holding the button it closed. Other than occasionally looking like its not 100% shut (by the ubiquitous 5mm) it has always behaved since - OPC cannot find/see a fault and obviously, when it arrives in their workshop it's always fully closed. I have chosen to live with this until, perhaps, a definitive explanation emerges.

On a separate point, re low battery and Christmas lights dashboard. I have experienced this too. My battery went pretty flat (that's a separate tale) and on attempting to start and not having enough juice to fire up the car, the dashboard similarly lit up and began reporting many issues. After charging battery and giving it a run, I presumed it would clear the errors and several did clear - PASM, stability management and other drive-train errors cleared. However, warnings about hood and spoiler faults did not clear and required a visit to OPC to clear them; I tried opening/closing service flap (no joy) and hood (no joy) thinking an open/close operation would re-calibrate but apparently it does not. For this reason, I now leave my car on CTEK (other brands available) whenever I'm going to leave it for more than 2/3 weeks as I have no problem dealing with a flat battery generally, but the fact that some systems require a dealer visit to reset is a royal pain!

I am not aware of having an issue with the locking system at that time. Are the doors locking?; ie is it the alarm system that is compromised? Have you tried giving it another run - opening/closing/locking/unlocking - I an sure you have. Personally, I would have words again with the OPC as it's not reasonable for them to leave one of these cars without a working security system. I am sure they can reset the system by simply plugging it into their Workshop computer- 30 minute job even if they do not have time to address other things.

Let us know how you get on.

 

[6DW]

Thanks for your detailed comments Mike, this morning I received a call from the Porsche Tracker system informing me that the system was showing a fault and flat battery again. This was after a full 24 hr charge. I was unable to access car due to locking not working, so used the key and was able to connect charger to the fuse box positive tag and open front boot to access the CTEK lead. Once again its on charge and if I can get started tomorrow will drive over to OPC to ask if they can check it over.

It does seem that it needs a full reset on the OPC diag unit.

Note : Doors are locking but I don’t think the alarm is correct activating.

 

[Schuey]

It is the Tracker system that drains the battery unfortunately.

 

[mspiteri]

Regarding the spoiler not sitting flush - this thread is really quite amazing, as I only noticed this on my car for the first time yesterday!

Mine is a 2021 C4S.

Feels almost like too much of a coincidence.

Mark

 

[mikegibson]

It is the Tracker system that drains the battery unfortunately.

Hi Schuey. The Tracker can definitely be problematic and was determined to be the source of my battery drain issues. In my case, the battery was going flat within 2 weeks. However, after a lengthy diagnostic chase, the tracker was finally replaced with a new unit and I can certainly leave my car for 3 weeks without issue - I don't tempt fate by leaving it much longer than that without attaching the CTEK so I am not sure what the real limit is. I think that a properly functioning tracker places minimal additional load on the car but there is plenty of evidence out there that there are a lot of trackers that are causing issues.