SubaruK2 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Hello. I am new to this forum and haven't found this problem using the Search feature. I have a 2014 Forester. I had three warning lights come on while driving: ABS, Hill Start Assist, and Vehicle Dynamics Control. The message came up that all these systems need to be checked immediately. The Dealership is closed until Monday. Can I drive the car with these lights on? Do I have to have it towed to the dealer? Any advice would be appreciated. Edited March 5, 2017 by SubaruK2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naked Buell Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) First thing is to check your battery connections. If they are bad or loose funny things start to happen. Or the battery may be bad or the alternator. But first check connections and make sure they are tight and not corroded. Also from what I have read, it could be a brake light switch. You should be okay until Monday to drive to Subaru and find out what. Make sure you post what happens. Edited March 5, 2017 by Naked Buell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbhrps Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 subaruK2, All three systems are tied together, so one fault could throw the three warning lights. You should be fine to use the car in the meantime, until you can get it in to have it checked. If things were really serious, the brake warning light would be on, or the engine would have gone into Limp Mode. I just wouldn't suggest going any long distances before getting the issue resolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruK2 Posted March 5, 2017 Author Share Posted March 5, 2017 Thanks! I'll check battery connections first thing in the morning. Will visit the dealership on Monday, just glad I don't have to have it towed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreaseMonkey03 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) While you are checking the battery, unplug it for 10 seconds. More to be safe. If the lights don't come back on, you're good. These lights come on for all sorts of convoluted reasons. In most cases there's nothing wrong with the car, and sometimes has absolutely nothing to do with those systems. Edited March 5, 2017 by GreaseMonkey03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Imo I would never use unplugging the battery as a means to reset a light. True the lights can come on for ambiguous reasons. But it could be an intermittent fault. And without having the codes pulled and knowing which ones were stored, if the lights come back on in the future. You'll never know if it's a new issue. Or the old intermittent issue is getting worse. Get the codes pulled. It's typically free. Write down the numbers. Car is safe to drive but get it looked at asap. Your ABS and traction control likely won't work. So just be safe. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreaseMonkey03 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Niether would I, but he's not either of us. Lmao. Seriously, highly doubt there is anything wrong. Or there's something you're not telling us, people lie to mechanics all the time for some strange reason. It's almost as if they don't want to get yelled at by us. Lmao Usually if something is mechanically wrong you will hear it or the car will drive like crap. If there is something wrong electrically, the light will come back on. Edited March 5, 2017 by GreaseMonkey03 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Don't unplug the battery. That may erase whatever codes are stored, and then the dealer will have nothing to check when they scan it for codes. Pay $100 diagnostic fee to find out you erased the only pertinent information. Often those lights will also illuminate when the check engine light is on. Depending on the fault type, the CEL may have turned on and right back off, but the other lamps stay illuminated because those systems will be disabled if the CEL comes on for any reason. This would be the result of a very minor fault code, but the code will still be sorted in the PCMs memory and will be retrievable as long as you don't erase it by disconnecting the battery. One thing you can check that's very easy is the brake fluid level. Since the ABS controls the Hill assist and VDC, any ABS related issue will disable all three systems. One thing the ABS system checks is brake fluid level and often during cold weather the brake fluid may get just low enough for the level sensor to trip the brake warning light on momentarily, then turn back off. If the fluid level is Below halfway between the full and low marks on the reservoir, this is a likely scenario. If the brake fluid level is low, add fluid to bring it up to the full mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
golucky66 Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 If the brake fluid is low it will set a brake light for sure and agreed, possibly the three that are currently on. My guess is there is a fault in the ABS module for a wheel speed of some sort. Though it never hurts to check basics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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