My wife just called me to say that the dashboard of the Outback just went full Christmas tree

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
03/06/2017 at 11:27 • Filed to: Subaru Life

My wife just called me to say that the dashboard of the 2013 Outback just went full Christmas Tree. I hope this is just something simple.

She was like: the brake light is blinking, and the CEL is on, and the cruise control light is blinking....

Now I’m like why did I ever buy this fucking car...

DISCUSSION (34)

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 11:33

Never go full Christmas tree.

It must be something simple. Everything can’t have gone wrong all at once...

...can it?

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 11:35

It might just be the battery, electronics tend to go a little whacky when you have a low charge.

Seat Safety Switch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 11:36

She probably got snow built up in the wheel and pissed off the tone ring/ABS sensor which is making the thing freak out.

Having a CEL on DBW cars disables cruise control (blinking cruise). Blinking brake light is probably ABS fault.

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f68/abs-light-after-getting-stuck-snow-47692/

The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 11:41

The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi) > The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi)
03/06/2017 at 11:42

Merry Christmas in March!

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 11:42

Definitely low on blinker fluid and electrical smoke consult your local British Car Mechanic.

Chariotoflove > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
03/06/2017 at 11:46

It could just be the fuse on the blinker fluid reservoir sensor. I hear those short out sometimes. Easy fix.

PartyPooper2012 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 11:48

broken belt? Does she have power steering? Is the car running? You know the drill

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Seat Safety Switch
03/06/2017 at 11:54

She just drove from the house to the dog park snow was nor >4" deep anywhere.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
03/06/2017 at 11:54

They tested it on Friday, said it was 100%.

vondon302 > Chariotoflove
03/06/2017 at 11:56

Well it is Subaru. So.....

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chariotoflove
03/06/2017 at 11:57

I think the head gaskets are the only thing they have not replaced, oh wait that’s been done too....

Stapleface > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 11:59

IIRC that’s Subaru limp mode. She can most likely turn the car off and then back on and it will disappear. That’s what I did when I had my Crosstrek until I could get to the dealer. It was some sensor that went wonky. I know, this doesn’t really tell you too much, but at least it’s something. I imagine you could probably pull the code with a scan tool.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Stapleface
03/06/2017 at 12:06

They recently replaced the engine in this car, I am assuming it is related.

Boxer_4 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 12:07

This may sound dumb, but was it filled up with gas recently? Supposedly, a loose gas cap or a torn gas cap seal can cause that set of lights to come on.

I know on the Forester, a check engine light also triggers the traction control light, and cruise control light to flash. I’ve never heard of the brake light flashing, but that might be something on newer Subarus.

You may be able to view any stored codes using the method below; It should show both engine and body module codes. I’ve never tried it on anything newer than a 2009, so no guarantees:

turn ignition on

quickly (you’ve ten seconds to do all this)

turn on lights

press trip reset four times

turn lights off

press trip reset four times

turn lights on

press trip reset four times

The codes should display on the center display of the gauge cluster, if it works. If not, you’ll need to find someone with a code reader.

Bad Idea Hat > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 12:09

On...2013...car...what the hell happened?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Boxer_4
03/06/2017 at 12:10

She put gas in the car on Friday, we’ve drivin it 80 miles since then without issue.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Bad Idea Hat
03/06/2017 at 12:11

Excessive oil consumption. 1qt/1000 miles.

Boxer_4 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 12:19

Doubt that’s the issue then. At any rate you probably need to view the code(s) or let the dealer deal with it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Boxer_4
03/06/2017 at 12:23

It’s at the dealer now, waiting for them to let us know what is going on. I so want to ditch this car...

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 12:30

There are times I am glad my Accent is dirt simple (for a modern car, anyway...)

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 12:42

I’ve seen a faulty wheel speed sensor cause a Christmas tree on pleanty of ford products

CaptDale - is secretly British > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 13:25

Damn, we haven’t had any issues with our engine replacements. Let me know what it is. I am very curious.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CaptDale - is secretly British
03/06/2017 at 13:39

Oppo opinion is wheel speed sensor. We get a lot of TC action here since everything is covered in ice and snow 4 months of the year.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 13:45

Hmm, that seems strange, but ok. Can’t wait for confirmation.

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 14:01

So you got a new engine basically!

#glasshalffull?

Chariotoflove > vondon302
03/06/2017 at 14:02

Shhh. Let’s not cause further panic.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
03/06/2017 at 14:03

Where can I get authentic Lucas Smoke? CNF on amazon.

Kinja'd!!!

TahoeSTi > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 14:04

Those lights sound like a missfire . How much oil is it burning? Have you done the engine recall yet? even if you did a few of the replacements have had issues.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > TahoeSTi
03/06/2017 at 14:15

They replaced the engine in December. Just had the oil changed at the dealer on Friday, they said everyting was fine. Seems to be driving fine too.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chariotoflove
03/06/2017 at 14:16

Glass half full with a slow leak.

TahoeSTi > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 14:20

I’ve had these lights twice before, and it was after I backed my outback into a snowbank and clogged the exhaust.....it threw a misfire code on me...but might is the previous generation. Either way disconnect the battery to clear the lights and see if they come back.

Chariotoflove > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 14:38

More like a dribble glass.

Boxer_4 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
03/06/2017 at 15:36

Hopefully it’s something minor...