cruise control light flashing subaru outback

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• Gen 3: 2005-2009

check engine light on and cruise control light flashing!

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recently i had to replace the main engine control computer on my 2009 outback because it was malfunctioning. now a few months later the check engine light is on and the cruise control light is flashing they turned on while i was driving. if you guys know any reasons why please feel free to respond, thanks!  

do you have a plain 4 cylinder, a 6 cylinder, or a turbo 4? what are the codes: (your car has a great code reader right in it, such may take a couple tries at getting it to work though). http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...9-how-read-diagnostic-trouble-codes-dtcs.html  

Loose gas cap is a common one. My 2015 Christmas treed on me a few weeks ago which was two days after being serviced. Vacuum hose on the front of the engine where the upper cylinder cleaner had been pumped in was not hooked back up......  

Check engine light means code is stored, the check engine light disables the cruise control so you will take your car into get it fixed. This may not be related to your original problem, it just means a code (s) are stored in the ECU. If you have an OBD II reader it will tell you the code. Or you can use the code reader function mentioned above. Without the code we really can't tell you much other than a code is stored and that the code disables the cruise control  

Just replaced the motor in my 2006 outback and the check engine light along with the cruise ( flashing) light is on. I took it back to the shop and he checked codes on it, nothing came up but he cleared it anyway, the check engine light went off but not the cruise light, shortly after I left the shop the check engine light came back on, she’s running great except no cruise control. Can you give me some pointers? Will disconnecting the positive battery cable for about 10 min and pressing the brake pedal for a minute help reset things ?? Read about that and going to try it.. lol.. thanks !!  

LynnD said: Will disconnecting the positive battery cable for about 10 min and pressing the brake pedal for a minute help reset things ?? Read about that and going to try it.. Click to expand...

Thank you !! Will do that instead  

Or, most any auto parts stores will read the codes for you for free. Let us know what the code is. After a reset, you need to drive the car 60 miles for it to show any issues. Here's a link to most of the CEL. https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/trouble-codes-cels-26113.html  

If the check engine light is on, there should be stored codes to be scanned. Difficult to troubleshoot without the trouble codes.  

Possibly. It could also be that the filter in the banjo bolt feeding oil to the solenoid is clogged. The consensus seems to be that this filter should be removed altogether.  

plain OM said: Those are engine-related codes. In that regard, what engine do you have: 2.5 non-turbo, 2.5 turbo, or the 3.0 six-cylinder? The P0026 could be the bank 1 (passenger side) AVLS (variable valve lift) solenoid, or, it could be the related AVLS oil pressure sensor switch. When the switch fails, it also leads to the same P0026 code. A symptom related to some cases of faulty switches is leaking oil from the switch. It's also possible that the P0026 problem originates in a blocked screen filter; it's inside the solenoid housing on the back of the bank 1 head. When the screen is clogged, oil flow to the solenoid can be reduced, and that in turn reduces the oil pressure to the switch, leading to the code. There's lots of posts here on the P0026, and the equivalent bank 2 P0028. Are you planning to do any required work yourself? Is the engine oil level correct? When the replacement engine was installed, was it's timing belt, and the camshaft timing, checked? Click to expand...

Mine did that and it turns out my alternator has an issue code I got was for low voltage  

I had a 1-year saga with this - code said it was an O2 sensor. I replaced it. Still happened. Mechanic thought original O2 sensor must be bad, and replaced it again under warranty. Still happened. Changed gas cap and repressurized system. Still happened. Cleared the code, twice. Still happened. Local mechanic started to suspect an exhaust system leak or cat converter but said he didn't have the equipment to diagnose. I finally took it into the dealer, where they spent 4 hours trying trying to figure it out, unsuccessfully. Finally, only after attempting a cold start the following morning were they able to determine that the exhaust intake manifold gaskets were leaking. Once I replaced those, all the blinking lights went away. (In the meantime, even with all those alarming blinking lights, the car still drove fine and I even took it on a 2-week road trip.)  

Seems like most go down part of the route you described based on error codes. I know it has only been a few months but have the lights stayed off?  

So I have a 07 outback, anytime the check engine light (cel) is on the cruise control stops working as a safety function so it flashes to indicate this. Simply fix the cel code. Emphasis on simply.  

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Why is Subaru Cruise Control Light Flashing on My Car Dashboard?

Driving can be fun, but long-distance driving can be fatiguing as you keep pressing the gas pedal to keep the car going at your desired speed. Thankfully, cars now feature cruise control — a system that lets drivers set a desired speed and relaxes their feet when traveling a long journey.

You can activate the system by pressing the cruise control button and the vehicle will keep you at the current speed. So you don’t have to depress the gas pedal to keep the car running. Cars with advanced cruise control systems use sensors at the front bumper to detect vehicles ahead of them and keep the car at a distance to prevent collision.

Like other system components, the cruise control does have issues. And these issues are common with Subaru cars. Most Subaru owners complain of Subaru cruise control light flashing on the dashboard as they drive.

Why does my Subaru cruise control light keep flashing?

The most common reason why the cruise control light is flashing on your Subaru is due to an electrical or mechanical problem. Remember, when the light is flashing, the cruise control system is disabled, so don’t try to turn it on because it won’t work.

In some other cases, the cruise control light may be flashing due to a defective or loose gas cap, a blown fuse for the cruise control, a failing brake pedal switch, or a defective vehicle speed sensor. Let’s have an in-depth look to see how these issues could cause cruise control light flashing on Subaru Outback and other Subaru models.

Blown fuses

The cruise control system consists of several electrical systems protected by a fuse. The fuse can blow up if there’s an electrical power issue, preventing the key components from failing. If that happens, it will disable the cruise control system. In some cases, the car computer will start flashing the cruise control light on the dashboard to notify you that there’s an underlying issue that needs urgent attention.

If you suspect the fuse is blown, replace it and see if that fixes the cruise control system and clear the blinking light on the dashboard.  If that resolves the problem but the fuse blows in no time and the light starts blinking again, you have other electrical issues. Contact your mechanic for a thorough diagnosis.

Defective speed sensor

The vehicle speed sensor is one of the essential components of the cruise control system. When you activate the cruise control, the onboard computer collects information from the speed sensor to know when to increase and decrease the engine speed.

The vehicle speed sensor is mounted at the tail end of your transmission, and if it malfunctions, the cruise control light will start blinking on the dashboard. The speed sensor is needed to ensure that the speedometer and the odometer work correctly, and without it, the cruise control system will be affected.

If you notice the cruise control light flashing and check engine light is on, check the vehicle speed sensor. A bad speed sensor triggers the check engine light and disables the cruise control system. This sensor cannot be repaired. So, if it is the root cause, the only solution is to replace it with a new one.

Loose gas cap

Believe it or not, the gas cap plays a crucial role in your vehicle’s overall functionality. The gas cap can affect the performance of the cruise control system. For instance, in Subarus, a loose gas cap can cause the cruise control light to blink as you drive. It can also trigger the check engine light to pop on the dashboard. So, a loose gas cap can cause the Subaru Forester check engine light with flashing cruise control to pop on the dashboard.

Faulty mechanical component

If you own an older Subaru car, the cruise control light could be flashing due to a faulty mechanical component. In older models, the cruise control system has a cable, connecting the throttle to an air actuator, which regulates the cable to keep the vehicle at the set speed settings.

If any of the mechanical components go bad, it can disable the system and trigger the blinking light on the dashboard.

Malfunctioning brake pedal switch

Under perfect conditions, the brake lights shine as you depress the brake pedal. There’s a component attached to the brake pedal — the brake pedal switch, which tells the brake lights to light up as you depress the pedal.

If the switch goes bad, the brake lights won’t know when you step on the brake pedal. But aside from this, a bad brake pedal switch can also affect the cruise control system.

When you activate the cruise control system, the system will deactivate and switch to manual mode whenever you step on the brake pedal. If the switch malfunctions, it may send wrong signals to the cruise control system, telling it the brake pedal is always depressed, preventing the cruise control system from turning on.

System malfunction

If your Subaru check engine light is flashing along with the cruise control light and the brake pedal switch, fuses, and vehicle speed sensors are good, you have a problem somewhere in the cruise control system.

To determine the root cause of the malfunction, you need a mechanic to diagnose the vehicle. The mechanic will inspect all cruise control components and may plug in a scan tool to pull out all the error codes in the vehicle.

It’s okay for the cruise control light to be on when you activate it, but if the light comes on when you are not using the cruise control, or the light starts blinking when you activate it, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. In most cases, a flashing cruise control light on Subaru is accompanied by the engine warning light.

What to do if your Subaru cruise control light flashing?

Whenever the Subrau cruise control light starts flashing on the dashboard, the cruise control has malfunctioned or disabled. Hence, do not turn on the cruise control system. If the light starts flashing after getting gas, locate a safe spot and pull over. Check the gas cap and re-tighten it. It could be you did not secure the gas cap properly.

If that do not solve the problem, drive straight to your mechanic and have them diagnose and fix the problem.

Does the cruise control stop working when check engine light is on?

If the onboard computer detects a problem with your transmission or the engine, it will display the check engine light and disable certain vehicle functions, like the cruise control system, to prevent further damage until you address the issue.

Let’s be clear here; this does not mean that the PCM must disable the cruise control whenever it detects an issue with the engine or transmission. It will only disable the system if the issue is causing unstable engine performance.

Subaru Outback check engine light flashing, cruise control, and traction control light blinking can all come up due to engine performance issues. Contact your mechanic to proffer solutions to the problem. 

Final Words

To be precise, the flashing Subaru cruise control light shows there is a mechanical or electrical problem in your car. The cruise control light should be green and steady when you turn on the system. But if the light is flashing, turn off the cruise control until you address the problem.

If you are a DIYer, you can fix the issue yourself. But if you are not, contact your mechanic or dealership. The solution can be easy, quick, and quite affordable.

Osuagwu Solomon

Osuagwu Solomon is a certified mechanic with over a decade of experience in the mechanic garage, and he has over five years of experience in the writing industry. He started writing automotive articles to share his garage experience with car enthusiasts and armature mechanics. If he is not in the garage fixing challenging mechanical problems, he is writing automotive repair guides, buyer’s guides, and car and tools comparisons.

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• 1990 to Present Legacy, Impreza, Outback, Forester, Baja, WRX&WrxSTI, SVX

2008 Subaru Outback Cruise control flashing light

• cruise control not working

By Wyn , September 25, 2015 in 1990 to Present Legacy, Impreza, Outback, Forester, Baja, WRX&WrxSTI, SVX

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Hi all.  Let me begin by saying that I am a die hard Subaru fan.  I am a single mom with 2 kids and I need my 2008 Outback to last for at least 300K miles.   ( I bought her used.) I take good care of her.  I keep the oil changes up.  Whatever she needs I do my best to financially take care of.  Currently, my cruise control stopped working and the light blinks.  I just paid to replace the brake pads, rotars , oil change and had the transmission flushed.  (When I bought the car a year ago, I was told that the brakes and rotars were brand new lol)  It's all good.  Still love here.  Anyways, the expense of having to fix the cruise is a little out of my reach.  I would like to try and fix it myself before I have to trek through the midwest in winter to see my family with the kids and dog in tow.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

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Welcome to the USMB, Wyn.  You've found a great resource here.

But you posted in the wrong place!  Go back to the main page and post your questions in the "New Generation Forum."  Good luck.

pnwoutback08

The cruise control light flashing means your throwing a cel code" check engine light". I would take it to a Auto Zone and let them read the codes on the ECU" Engine Control Module" to see if there are any codes, or if you know a good and I always say find a Good Subaru only mechanic if possible to read or see if there are any codes and go from there. Let us know what they find.

I'm going to move your thread to the new gen forum.

Is the check engine light on also?

If no, Does the check engine light work when you turn the key On?

Are any other warning lights on such as ABS?

• 2 years later...

Our 2008 Outback has this same issue, no cruise control, flashing cruise light, but no CEL and no codes...drove 10 hour trip yesterday without cruise......Very annoying, guessing it has something to do with the electronic throttle.....I really miss the old throttle cAbles, as they simply worked.... So any info on this problem would be appreciated....

I rerouted the wire loom going to the throttle body & erg stuff a couple nights ago, as it was twisted and binding pretty badly, straightened it out and plugged it all back in, now it's running smoother than it had since we've had it, and the cruise control is working again.

Definitely worth trying, as it cost nothing but soon of my time.

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2006 Subaru Outback Check Engine Light Cruise Control Flashing

Last updated on July 16th, 2023 at 02:59 pm

Is your 2006 Subaru outback check engine light cruise control flashing?  This article guides you all the way to fixing your Subaru flashing and blinking light issues and what to if when you notice Subaru outback cruise control light flashing.

Subaru, a Japanese automobile manufacturer, is one of the largest automobile producers across the globe.

Most of Subaru’s vehicles are renowned for using boxer engine and are more than 1,500 ccs.

However, Subaru has grown an ill reputation for the numerous issues the vehicle develops.

The major areas that Subaru car owners and automobile enthusiasts have formed an ill reputation about the vehicle are:

• Check engine light is on and cruise control light is blinking on 2006 outback
• when Subaru outback cruise control light flashing constantly
• Subaru head gasket problem and
• 2006 Subaru outback check engine light cruise control flashing

related: Subaru Outback Modified Ideas (How to) + Aftermarket Accessories

These complaints have created a dent and a stain on the remarkable record of Subaru Company, a company that was mostly known for manufacturing first-class vehicles, until now.

Read Also: Can You Mix Power Steering Fluid WITH TRANSMISSION fluid and Why is My Check Engine Light Flashing And Car Shaking

2006 Subaru outback check engine light and cruise control light blinking

Most Subaru car owners have complained that the car automatically stops accelerating when they are on a major highway. It could have been the pedal assembly and sensors that failed.This usually occurs in cold weather . This is extremely dangerous as it could have led to the loss of lives.

Subaru would have to address this design flaw that even affects the owners financially too, as they would have to pay regular visits to auto mechanics. Subaru vehicle may lose power at high speed, a problem that most people have complained over.

 Subaru would have to recall this vehicle for such a safety concern. It is expected for a reputable company like Subaru to stand behind this dangerous flaw with their product and fix the design problem.

The issue is why Subaru has chosen to do nothing about the numerous complaints from the vehicle owners who patronize their product. Most people have vowed never to buy a Subaru again since the vehicle has several problems and are asking for the product to be recalled before it leads to loss of lives.

Have you ever been driving a Subaru along a major highway and the check engine light comes on and cruise control light flashes? This may cause you to immediately lose acceleration and to pull over. A Subaru owner complained of having this same issue.

He waited for a few minutes before restarting the car. He noted that the lights still remained on even though the car was on normal acceleration. The check engine light can come up for a lot of reasons, so there is really no way of confirming if it’s for a loose gas cap or a more serious problem without a code scan.

In 2005 Subaru designed the car in such a way that the Cruise light flashes and disables the cruise control to get your attention.

When the light is on steady and there is no ostensible change in the way your Subaru is performing its most likely passable to drive.

Related Article:

• Subaru Engine Oil Guide: 5 Best oil brand for Subaru
• 5 reasons for:  Subaru Outback Flashing Brake Light & How to Fix It
• Can I Drive My Car With Engine Management Light On

However, you’ll need to contact a professional auto mechanic to look into it.

If the check engine light starts flashing, that could be a warning that the engine is misfiring and really should not be driven, but rather should be towed to a repair facility.

It may be helpful to purchase a Code Scanner and keep in your glove box for just these type of circumstances.

Also, there could be an updated software related to the code and perhaps a TSB. So, you may have to call a Subaru Specialist nearest to you.

It necessitates a Subaru Select Monitor device to upload new software once it has been confirmed it can rectify the issue.

It could also be that the vent solenoid has an issue or the charcoal canister is full.

Though cleaning the sensor may or may not help fix the problem, you may need to have an experienced technician to perform a proper diagnosis.

This is a common symptom and each situation is different, so only testing is required.

In some cases, people who have reported that their Subaru suddenly stops accelerating said they have taken the car to different mechanics and the problem still persisted.

All the mechanics did was to reboot the computer, and for a fee, claiming they couldn’t identify a problem.

Another Subaru owner said he’ll stop in traffic and suddenly, the car will just start idling between 2500 and 3000 RPMs.

When peddle is pushed all the way down to the floor, it will shoot up extremely high mid-shift, causing him to stick to manual drive.

When the clutch is pushed down to shift to a higher gear, it will rev up to 2500 to 3000 RPMs mid-shift.

This acceleration problem can go on for years and necessitates regular visits to an auto shop every 3-4 months, which can be costly.

This issue may cause a Subaru car to drive with no acceleration and always in a “Limp home mode”.  This problem needs the attention of Subaru Company.

An identical problem reported in other complaints saw Subaru car running fine, then suddenly, there’s no response from the throttle, high revs in neutral and park, flashing cruise control and solid check engine lights.

This can really be a frightening situation.

 This has been a lingering problem for the last 30,000 miles.

The problem can just cause the check engine light to come on for no apparent reason and disabling the use of the cruise control. It is a sporadic problem with no solution.

You may be driving down the street and the accelerator will just give out. The engine may be running yet no thrust on the pedal.

Some persons may suspect it is a problem from the fuel injection.

In some cases, the gas pedal may be depressed and the car does not respond or move forward, it may idle and coasts forward and if the brake is depressed or put in park, the car engine revs, making it sound like the gas is depressed, but actually, it is not.

This problem normally occurs when the car is on and in the drive.

This problem has happened to some Subaru owners while driving at 85 mph, 40 mpg and after taking off from being stopped at a stop sign.

This issue can occur at any time while driving.

Related Article: Can You Mix Power Steering Fluid WITH TRANSMISSION fluid

You can be able to restart the car and get the gas pedal responsive, making it accelerate and surge the car forward.

• The short term solution is to:
•  Turn off the car
• Pull up on the gas cap release lever on the floor of the driver’s side
• Get out of the car
• Remove and reinstall the gas cap
• Get back in the car and start it
• The first attempt may fail, but the second attempt constantly works
• When the light is yellow, it means you can proceed with caution.
•  If there is a change in the vehicle performance, get it checked out immediately.
• If the Check Engine light flashes, then tow it in.
• The Cruise control light will normally flash on 05 and newer models. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to tow it in.
• If you have a Scan Tool, scan it and send the code to your mechanic
• Contact your mechanic.

You may also want to watch the video below for more insight.

You may be driving normally and the car accelerator becomes unresponsive suddenly, causing you to pull to the roadside, put the car in park and restart the car.

You may find that the CEL and cruise light was on.

The accelerator may have acted normally after the restart but the following day when you try to start the car, you’ll discover there’s no CEL or flashing cruise light.

A code reader may indicate that it’s a code P2138, accelerator pedal sensor problem.

After some mileage, the probable cause of a Subaru losing power on acceleration is if the smoke sensor in the exhaust has failed and has to be replaced, the error should be cleared by car scanner.

If you don’t want to replace the sensor you can clean it. The sensor is located on the exhaust pipe but however, you still need to visit a car technician to clear the fault from the Subaru’s computer log.

Some people with a similar incident reported pulling out their battery cable for 10 minutes and all the lights went off.

Though whenever the check engine light comes on and the cruise light flashes, it is normal.

The check engine light will not come on with low fluid levels or if the temperature is too high.

The On-Board Diagnostics only sets a check engine light when the Electronic Control Module (ECM) reads a too high or a too low sensor value.

However, it may have to read that same fault 3 consecutive times in a row to turn on the check engine light.

Else your check engine light would always be going on and off.

Contact your mechanic to have them check the codes for free because a dealer will have to charge you labour for them to check due to the knowledge required to use the highly sophisticated scan tool they make use of.

So, you can either go to an autonomous shop or a dealer to check what the other scanner says is the fault. This way, the cost of repairs is reduced.

They may probably ask you if you fueled up just before the engine light came on, in which case, that would be code P0440: EVAP leak, which is quite a small leak.

This means that the fuel tank sensor doesn’t like how you placed the fuel cap on.

For a Subaru car, it recommends at least three (3) clicks when tightening your fuel cap.

However, until that code is checked you won’t know what the issue is with your vehicle.

If the issue ends up being a fuel cap leak, then just loosen the cap and put it back on and just make 1 full revolution, and just keep driving it.

The light should go off within 3 full warm-up cool-down cycles. 

All cars have problems. It is how the company deals with the problems that make a difference. 

Cars like Toyota and Infiniti have had recalls for accelerator pedal issues, but no recall has yet been made for Subaru.

This is a safety issue and the Company ought to do something about it.

All cars or vehicles do have faults, but it is how the company deals with the problems that make the difference. You might love to read the history of 2006 Subaru Outback Head Gasket Problems

The Symptoms of Subaru Head Gasket Problem

The signs of gasket failure will normally appear in a systematic order, one after the other:

• Oil trickling down between the head and block surfaces. The leakage will get bigger with time and may lead to coolant leaking.
• The odour of Sulphur or fuel from the coolant reservoir and you will also notice higher readings in the coolant temperature gauge.
• Frequent overheating of the engine during a long drive.

What is the Solution?

The problem of the Subaru head gasket can be resolved and repaired if it is detected on time. This early detection will solve the issue altogether. After the repair, a properly maintained vehicle can run for thousands of miles without any problem.

The things you can do to keep your Subaru in good condition:

• Try Changing Your Subaru car oil regularly.
• Make sure to clean your Subaru car battery surroundings and the terminals on a more frequent rate to move accumulated rust and corrosion.
• Always check your Subaru car coolant cylinder and try to change fluid when it is due to change or dirty.
• Make sure to only use/hire an experienced Subaru mechanic who is specialized in Subaru models or at least is knowable on Subaru vehicles.

  We have already covered a full details article for the solution to Subaru head gasket issues please read it here for all what you need to do.

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