br456 Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) Hello all, I live in South Eastern PA and am new to this forum, but I am glad I found it. I took my 2006 Subaru Forester to my local mechanic and it had the check engine light with a blinking cruise control (which I know is default by Subaru to tell you something's up). My mechanic changed the oil for me (which hasn't been changed in a long time; I know, that's bad) and tomorrow I am getting four brand new tires on it, as my current tires had measurable wear to them and it wasn't safe to keep them on the car. He said that an oil change is a strong possibility as to what was needed to fix the car and stop the CEL and CC blinking, but on my way home from the shop the CEL came on again with the CC light blinking. I will be taking my car tomorrow to him to get those 4 new tires on and will tell him about the lights coming on again. My problem: Beside the issue itself, I have a 3 hour trip up to central PA this weekend. My questions for you all: Is it safe to drive my Subaru, in the above described condition, for a 3 hour trip (mostly highways)? And, two additional questions but not as immediately important: is there any suggestions as to what this might be (I know it could be a myriad of things)? And do you think I should just bite the bullet and take the vehicle to an authorized Subaru dealership for close investigation and diagnosis? Thank you! Edited March 27, 2014 by br456 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olnick Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 The CEL means the car has a problem and wants to tell you what it is! Have your mechanic pull the code--and if he can't (!) go to an Autozone or some other chain auto parts store--they'll usually pull the code for free and tell you what it is. Get the actual code number--like "P0xxx" (not just a verbal description)--and post it here, then someone can answer your questions. About the blinking CC light--a quick search here on USMB turned up this: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/126827-check-engine-lightcruise-control/?hl=%2Bblinking+%2Bcruise+%2Bcontrol+%2Blight Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
br456 Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 Ol' Subaru Guy -- First, thanks for the reply! I did have my CEL code checked by my mechanic (and, at the time, I didn't know what that was about) and they didn't seem able to locate the right code to diagnose the problem, that's why they did the oil change (which I needed) but that did not fix the CEL and blinking CC. Also, the link you sent, although related to my problem, didn't have a lot of substance or replies to it but thanks for searching! When I take my car back to the mechanic to get my tires on today I will see if they can give me a solid reading on a code and I'll have it written down. Anybody feel that it is safe enough to drive 3 hours? And should I just go ahead and take it to a dealer if my mechanic can't nip this in the bud today? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Needing an Oil change won't trigger the CEL or CC lights. Your mechanic should know that........you should get a different mechanic. I'll bet the code is for VSS (speed sensor)....it's one that trips both CEL and CC lights. Fine to drive....but your gas mileage may suffer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 A blinking CEL indicates a steady misfire, which is a condition that is allowing unburned fuel out of the engine into the atmosphere, and will cause severe damage to the catalytic converters. This can cause the catalytic converters to overheat and catch fire, and catch the car on fire. This is NOT safe to take on a 3 hour drive, with the CEL blinking. The cruise is disabled when the CEL is on, which is why the Cruise light is on. You need to get the car to a competent shop that can diagnose the problem. Depending on the mileage on the car, this could be as simple as a bad spark plug or plug wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
br456 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) Su bah roo'n-- I posted that my Cruise control light was blinking, not my CEL. If that was blinking, I'd be far more distressed. My mechanic is currently trying to work on the car and feels that he has diagnosed it properly. I unfortunately do not remember the name of the part that he is replacing, but, basically, it is the part that reads the oil pressure and regulates it. After my oil change the car must have not been used to new oil for some time (20,000 miles of not having an oil change; I know, bad Subaru owner here), and the part that regulates the oil pressure must have fried (small little part with a "diaphram" and a "spring"). He ordered a new one (cheap only about $15.00) and will install it tomorrow. This is because I had oil leaking today on my way home from the shop and had to take the car back to the shop and he found that it was because of this, he believes. We shall see... Edited March 28, 2014 by br456 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 My mistake, I misread the post. The oil pressure switch is a common leak, but is not the reason for the CEL. Though an oil leak is a problem, it is mechanical and is not a problem able to be monitored by the ECU. The ECU only monitors for conditions that will adversely affect the emissions output of the engine. If your mechanic can't properly scan the car for codes, you need to take the car to a shop that can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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