Hi there,

So we have a 06 '56' Crossfire with a strange spoiler fault.

Basically it deploys as normal at 60 mph & then it wont retract. Have tried a battery disconnect & re-start has no impact.
I have had it plugged in & we can actuate the spoiler & it operates fine up & down from a scanner. Once put in the down position it will again go up at 60 mph but then back to square one of it being stuck up until plugged in. I was going to try a replacement switch as this will not work at all.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

Replace the car's battery.

If that does not do it, we can go from there. I know this sounds like a waste of money, but fact is, most of the time, a funky spoiler is a sign of a weak battery. You can spend time and money on a lot of ideas, but the smartest one is the battery first, then go from there.

(This assumes your battery cables/terminals are not all corroded and filthy, if that is the case, clean things up first.)

 

It was my first thought, battery replaced & unfortunately no difference. All terminals, earths checked & cleaned.

Its mechanically working as we can actuate it via scanner.
It deploys up but wont do down & wont work off the switch?!

Nightmare......

 

I do not think that replace the battery should be the answer, how many people have purchased an unneeded battery? Easy to say but $100 plus is a bit much for some to waste. Jumping from a good battery should be a good test and then a check of the charging system.
In this case I do not know what it could be, obviously a speed sensor signal initiates the spoiler and likewise the retraction, bad switch contact on motor to retract, probably not.

 

My first thought is a bad circuit in the ECU, but then it works with a scanner which puzzles me. Maybe a glitch in the programming.

James

 

I think that the non working switch is part of the problem. It may not work because it does not get signals from the limit switches somehow. A bad switchsomewhere. Two circuits are involved I would guess the auto one and the switch one, separated by a diode or two to prevent feedback into the other circuit? I really am just stabbing at answers. The switch circuit has got to be pretty simple.
The limit switches must alter the motor direction when reached, maybe just a switch problem?

 

Has anyone ever figured out why the spoiler goes down in steps ?

 

Didn’t know it does.

 

Mine does, haven't actually watched any others.

 

Because it is too high to jump from?

 

I think you might have strained something coming up with that one

 

If you look at the switch schematics, I don't see how a bad switch could cause this, unless stuck in the up position? The switch should be normal open. Disconnect the switch and see if your problem goes away.

James

 

I do not mean just one switch, I am referring to all the switches. There is probably switches of some form in the motor as well. I really have not studied the system. The motor is not just a simple motor if I recall correctly, it may be a stepper motor.

 

Pretty simple stuff, except for the mysteries inside the BCM, and no, it is not a stepping motor, it is a simple permanent magnet motor :

 

Mine does too when using the switch to put it down. On the highway though it goes down in one motion.

 

Now that I recall, you are right, only when using the switch.

 

Well, I just had to go look today. Up smoothly and two pauses on the way down operating from switch.

 

Pauses when the spoiler goes down is a safety feature to alert anyone with their hands in the way to move them out of the way. I don't know if the spoiler will go back up if it hits something on the way down.

 

Did you read that somewhere, or is that a personal opinion ?
( makes sense, however )

 

Ok im out of ideas... any help appreciated.......................

Tried a new switch & still no difference.

Its as before, will work automatically in the up position at approx 60mph & then will be stuck up.
The switch in the centre does not work.

I can operate the spoiler up & down fine via DRBIII & alos the switch LED can be operated ok.