Author Topic: CEL Cruise Flashing (Read 5825 times)

andrewforster_85 · « **on:** December 03, 2009, 11:08:30 pm »

Hey guys,

Started my car yesterday was on my way to gym and the car threw me a CEL and Cruise light is flashing. Wasn't doing anything irregular just driving normal. I've had this happen once before and I went to part source and they found some error code that was related either to the BOV or the CAI with the MAF sensor (something with boost creep, I was driving the car hard at the time). They cleared the code and that was about 7 months ago and I haven't had an issue since and car has been running great

Part source apparently can't clear the code anymore as they sent their unit away for repair. Anywhere else in the city I can take it to, to get it cleared other than Subaru? I want to get the code cleared to see if it pops up again but I think it was just a minor issue not sure why it popped up.

- Andrew

jutes · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2009, 11:13:33 pm »

Just disconnect the negative side of the batt terminal. Wait 20ish minutes.

Perfect Dark · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2009, 11:17:34 pm »

Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:13:33 pm

Just disconnect the negative side of the batt terminal. Wait 20ish minutes.

Or disconnect the negative and push in the brake for a few seconds...kills the system faster.

jutes · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2009, 11:30:33 pm »

Quote from: Perfect Dark on December 03, 2009, 11:17:34 pm

Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:13:33 pm
Just disconnect the negative side of the batt terminal. Wait 20ish minutes.

Or disconnect the negative and push in the brake for a few seconds...kills the system faster.

Or disconnect the brake and push car into a lake...kills the CEL forever!

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2009, 12:58:02 am »

Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:30:33 pm

Quote from: Perfect Dark on December 03, 2009, 11:17:34 pm
Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:13:33 pm
Just disconnect the negative side of the batt terminal. Wait 20ish minutes.

Or disconnect the negative and push in the brake for a few seconds...kills the system faster.

Or disconnect the brake and push car into a lake...kills the CEL forever!

lol

demon_STi · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2009, 09:18:42 am »

Also, the cruise control light will always come on when the CEL does. Just thought I'd share that because the first this happened to me it scared the crap out of me lol

Pee_Sack · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2009, 09:28:04 am »

Quote from: demon_STi on December 04, 2009, 09:18:42 am

Also, the cruise control light will always come on when the CEL does. Just thought I'd share that because the first this happened to me it scared the crap out of me lol

That is not true. I have had many CEL's that did not activate the cruise light.

My understanding of it is, the cruise light comes on when it would be hazardous to use cruise control, that is why it disables the cruise.

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2009, 12:33:27 pm »

Quote from: Pee_Sack on December 04, 2009, 09:28:04 am

Quote from: demon_STi on December 04, 2009, 09:18:42 am
Also, the cruise control light will always come on when the CEL does. Just thought I'd share that because the first this happened to me it scared the crap out of me lol

That is not true. I have had many CEL's that did not activate the cruise light.

My understanding of it is, the cruise light comes on when it would be hazardous to use cruise control, that is why it disables the cruise.

I read that the cruise light flashes to bring attention to the Check Engine... if that was the case why wouldn't the check engine light just flash then?

snackers · « **Reply #8 on:** December 04, 2009, 01:10:48 pm »

Quote from: andrewforster_85 on December 04, 2009, 12:33:27 pm

I read that the cruise light flashes to bring attention to the Check Engine... if that was the case why wouldn't the check engine light just flash then?

In the words of one of the greatest shows evar:

Quote from: BBT

Sheldon Cooper: If you recall, I pointed out the check engine light to you several months ago.
Penny: The check engine light is fine, its still blinking away. Its the stupid engine that stopped working.

Quote from: BBT

Sheldon: The check engine light is on we need to find a service station.
Penny: No, the light's been on since I bought the car.
Sheldon: All the more reason to consult with a mechanic before it explodes!
Penny: It's not gonna explode, just keep driving. Warp speed ahead, Mr. Spock.
Sheldon: Mr. Spock did not pilot the Enterprise, he was a science officer, and I guarantee you that if he ever saw the Enterprise's check engine light blinking, he would pull the ship over immediately!

AdamMc · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2009, 01:45:49 pm »

Penny's hot.

That is all.

flipincanadian · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2009, 04:55:37 pm »

If your gonna be around tmrw I could meet up and read it for you.

RedlineMenace. · « **Reply #11 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:27:03 pm »

Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:30:33 pm

Quote from: Perfect Dark on December 03, 2009, 11:17:34 pm
Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:13:33 pm
Just disconnect the negative side of the batt terminal. Wait 20ish minutes.

Or disconnect the negative and push in the brake for a few seconds...kills the system faster.

Or disconnect the brake and push car into a lake...kills the CEL forever!

Ha!. That had me laughing pretty good.

Isn't the flashing cruise control to show that the car is in "Limp mode"?. Thats what i figured when my CEL code came on a couple weeks ago, Yeah i just read it, wipe it, and nothing ever cme up. Mine had to do with a dead battery though.

Perfect Dark · « **Reply #12 on:** December 04, 2009, 05:37:16 pm »

Quote from: RedlineMenace. on December 04, 2009, 05:27:03 pm

Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:30:33 pm
Quote from: Perfect Dark on December 03, 2009, 11:17:34 pm
Quote from: jutes on December 03, 2009, 11:13:33 pm
Just disconnect the negative side of the batt terminal. Wait 20ish minutes.

Or disconnect the negative and push in the brake for a few seconds...kills the system faster.

Or disconnect the brake and push car into a lake...kills the CEL forever!

Ha!. That had me laughing pretty good.

Isn't the flashing cruise control to show that the car is in "Limp mode"?. Thats what i figured when my CEL code came on a couple weeks ago, Yeah i just read it, wipe it, and nothing ever cme up. Mine had to do with a dead battery though.

Nope, I have had the blinking cruise once on a longer drive once and didn't feel like pulling over as I knew what had happened. There was no restriction on the car though.

My understanding was a check light on it's own was a lower priority fault (gas cap not on enough, etc.) and the blinking cruise was a more serious fault.

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:09:49 pm »

/end thread

filled up with gas after work. Gas cap wasn't on all the way = bye bye CEL.

Haha I remember that was the first thing I checked last time and this time I was like 'it can't be that simple'

Thanks all for your support/help.

jutes · « **Reply #14 on:** December 04, 2009, 11:20:42 pm »

Lefty Loosy Righty Tighty.

Works for other things as well.

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 05, 2009, 10:36:32 pm »

hmmmm CEL came back on and this time I made sure Gas cap was tight tight tight. Any suggestions why it went off and came back on? Possibility of moisture/ice or something?

Perfect Dark · « **Reply #16 on:** December 05, 2009, 11:17:19 pm »

Any way to pull the code? That's going to be your best bet. Head to a Part Source and they will do it for free.

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2009, 08:41:31 pm »

Quote from: Perfect Dark on December 05, 2009, 11:17:19 pm

Any way to pull the code? That's going to be your best bet. Head to a Part Source and they will do it for free.

I called part source and apparently they sent their machine away for repair

gonna make an appt at rally subaru i guess

Corey · « **Reply #18 on:** December 07, 2009, 01:19:53 pm »

This happened to my brother not too long ago, perhaps to do with snow or ice somewhere?
Never had it before the snow came I dont know about you...

RedlineMenace. · « **Reply #19 on:** December 07, 2009, 03:50:46 pm »

I think its got something to do with a cold/weak battery. My STi threw a code a little while ago after sitting for a couple weeks and having to boost it. I wiped it when the car was warm and it didnt return in the time i was driving it. Haven't started the car since but im expecting the same thing to happen.

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 08, 2009, 12:58:49 pm »

It wen't away again yesterday after leaving work. I think something with the cold/ice or the gas cap or something is making it act funny. If it happens again I'll get the code pulled.

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 08, 2009, 01:00:54 pm »

Oh and for the record. I called Rally Subaru and made an appt yesterday at lunch (which I cancelled cuz it went away last night) and I asked the service dept. why the Cruise flashes.

She said that when the Check Engine light comes on the Cruise light automatically starts flashing because it disables any cruise control function so that the throttle doesn't get stuck due to an error with the ECU. This is straight from the horses mouth so I am inclined to believe them

andrewforster_85 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2010, 07:02:15 pm »

Got the code read and apparently cylinder 3 was misfiring. I had them change all the spark plugs and ignition coils (was expensive) but CEL went away - hopefully for good now.

silver subie · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2010, 07:27:17 pm »

i went to subaru in winnipeg for a flashing cruise light and they told me it was flashing because i need a new air/fuel sensor... if that helps

AdamMc · « **Reply #24 on:** January 04, 2010, 08:39:26 pm »

Ive got this on my new car twice now. Both were after i put in a new air filter, but one was immediately starting up the car after the filter went in. both times, just clearing it made it go away for a few months.

I need to get a way to read these things myself. With a Tactrix, you can read these codes on a laptop right?