Rear spoiler troubleshooting
 

I think there may be a problem with my '98s rear spoiler. Here's what I know:

• Manual switch works fine in both directions
• Spoiler warning light comes on at startup
• Spoiler warning light goes out as car gets moving
• Reach about 80mph and there's no spoiler light

I assume the spoiler warning light should come on while the spoiler is deployed. Is that correct?

Assuming so, I have to assume it isn't deploying. I can't really see it while driving. I'll have to see if I can get someone to tail me and confirm that.

Any other troubleshooting I can do? If it is, in fact, not deploying, what do I look at next? I have a Durametric scanner on the way - will that be likely to tell me more? There are no other generic OBD-2 codes with my cheap reader.

Thanks!

Spoiler light does not come on when the spoiler is raised.
It does come on when car is started and goes out when you start driving. This is all normal.

Drive on a north/south highway in the early morning or evening and glance at the cars shadow. If the spoiler is up, you'll be able to see it.

Put a couple of strips of painer’s tape across. Take it up over 70mph and check if the tape strips have been displaced or broken when you check afterwards, but I kinda like Particlewave’s early morning or late evening cruise idea too. Any reason is a good reason, right?

Both excellent ideas - thanks guys! Odd that the warning light doesn't do anything but go out when you start moving - seems kind of a waste of a good light :-)

I believe the warning light is supposed to light if it detects an issue with raising it at speed.

Ahh, thank you Oggie - that would make sense.

I guess that means the slight juddering I feel above 75 is probably something like wheel bearings or tire balance :-)

Just closing the loop here.

Went out with some painter's tape on the spoiler. Once I got off the highway and stopped, the tape was pulled off so the spoiler is deploying as it should, so the full system seems to be working as designed.

Many thanks for the info and diagnostic advice! One "problem" off the list!