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check engine and abs light on - cruise light flashing


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Vehicle is a 2010 Forester.

 

On the way home tonight I turned on the cruise control. Right after I turned it on the check engine light and the ABS light came on and the cruise control light started flashing constantly. As I drove the check engine light and the ABS light stayed on constantly. The cruise control light was flashing the whole time I was driving. The cruise control would not work. I tried stopping the car and turned the ignition switch to lock and then turned it to the on position as stated in the manual. It made no difference. When I started driving again the check engine light and the ABS light stayed on constantly and the cruise control light kept flashing. The cruise control does not work at all now.

 

Would appreciate any ideas about what is going on. Is the car safe to drive? I will call the dealer for an appointment tomorrow.

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was the care otherwise running well?

 

abs has been sensitive to low voltage in the past. you could have the charging system tested but, maybe more important is to read the DTC from the computer and post the code(s) here. A parts store should be able to read the codes and test the charging system for you.

 

don't drive the car if the CEL is flashing or it feels unsafe.

 

all modern cars can illuminate 3-4-5 lights and disable some systems when a code is set.

Edited by 1 Lucky Texan
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The Check Engine Light disables the Cruise Control to make you get it looked at.  If the Check Engine light is flashing that is usually a sign of a misfire and the car should not be driven.

 

As mentioned above the ABS system is very sensitive to voltage and bad alternators have been known to set the ABS light.

Edited by Mike104
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I have a 2009 Forester.

I've had similar light issues.

 

So the ABS light came on because it detected an issue. And then the ecm sees the abs had a code, and it turned on the check engine light. And when the check engine light turned on, the cruise comes on and flashes to notify you its disabled.

 

So. ABS light ---> Check engine light ---> cruise.

 

All normal (normal light operation, not normal as there's a malfunction somewhere)

You have a code in the ABS module setting the other lights.

 

The ABS can set a check engine like. The check engine light cannot set an ABS light.

 

Go to a shop that can read the ABS module. (most auto parts stores won't have a sophisticated enough scanner to read the abs codes on a 2010. You can try. But no promises)

 

Post ABS codes here (if you dont want a shop to fix it)

 

Don't replace parts until you have codes and a diagnosis.

 

Fixing with VISA is silly.

Edited by golucky66
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Oh cr^&%!    It sets the air bag light and the cruise doesn't work not the ABS.  Thanks for correcting me.

 

I was having a problem understanding how the airbag clock spring would set the ABS light.   :)

 

Yes the clock spring is a common cause of the Airbag light

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  • 2 months later...

I have the same issue with my 20111 Forrester.     I get it maintained at the dealer according to regular maintenance.  

 

In my case it is not the ABS light but the VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) light and Check Engine light came on,  I had a dead battery and it was replaced by CAA.

The Cruise light is blinking as well but I learned here that is because of Check Engine.

 

So it is possibly related to the battery replace even though there was gap of a week ?

 

I also did the gas cap reseat thing in case that was the Check Engine cause.

Edited by Rezzer
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so I took my car to the dealer with  CHECK ENGINE,  VDC, lights on.  CRUISE was blinking but I now know that's usual when Check Engine comes on.   

They found error code P0456 Evap Control System Leak detected.   

They could not find the problem so they said they needed to do a smoke test for which they charged me $250 (on top of the $100 to plug into computer).

They said they found the Charcoal Cannister leaking so replaced that and tested system and said it was ok.    Cannister valve assy $467.

So $800 plus tax I'm back on the road feeling like I should be selling this car.

2 days later the lights are back on.

Will report on what the dealer says this time.

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The situation you're in is tough.

Realistically, all of the price and work you described seemed fair with the exception of the smoke testing. It seems a bit high on price. 150$ would probably seem more normal. But that's my opinion based on where I live.

 

EVAP can be tricky to diag and unfortunately sometimes its a step by step process. If the canister was truly leaking. And say setting a large leak code. None of the other tests for evap will run. Such as small leak.

 

Before you panic. Bring it back and see what they say the code is. And bring it back here first. Don't pay them to re-diag anothe evap code right away. We might be able to help.

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A month ago I had this same situation. I cleared the code and right after that the car felt really bad.  I had a 3 second hesitation accelerating.  I removed the negative battery cable and let sit over night.  Hooked it back in the morning and everything was perfect.  Here I am a month later without issue on my 2012 outback.

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  • 1 year later...

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