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Check engine light?

72K views 20 replies 19 participants last post by  iamgekyume15  
#1 ·
Hello all, this morning I started my 2014 Crosstrek and the check engine and traction control lights are on and the cruise control icon is flashing, any ideas on what might be causing this? I just left a voicemail for my Subaru service center and am still waiting on a call back. Thanks for your help.


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#2 ·
No one here or anywhere else will be able to tell you why those are on without being able to physically hook up a diagnostic scanner. Assuming you're under warranty, just take it to a dealer.
 
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#3 ·
Well, I had exactly the same situation just recently. Started the car one hot morning and what the hell? Shut the engine, started again - same story. Seeing several problems at the same time (check engine+traction+cruise) made me suspicious of some type of software glitch rather than a real problem. So I just disconnected the battery wire and let it sit for 5 minutes. Connected the wire back, started the car and bingo: all trouble lights gone. None of them has returned and it's been maybe a week. I am not seeing any abnormal behavior in the vehicle. I'd be very interested to learn what Subaru service center will tell you though I am sure they would like to see the vehicle and read any errors with their tool. Anyway, please advise how your story develops.
 
#4 ·
Many times, when multiple malfunction indicator lamps are lit up at the same time, this indicates a system voltage or charging system problem.

Even if the thing is brand spanking new, I'd still plug in my ~$40 OBDII/CAN code reader for a read, then I might measure system voltage across the battery on an idling engine. Should be ~14VDC at idle. ~12V is typically too low at idle.
 
#6 ·
Anytime an emission related fault is detected the check engine light and VDC light will illuminate and the cruise light will flash. This is by design and does not indicate a fault with all 3 systems. To protect components from damage due to operation with a failed component, the VDC and Cruise Control are disabled when the Check Engine light comes on.

When this occurs you should never just clear the code yourself, if you do it also erases all the data the technician could use to diagnose the cause of the issue. Just leave it on and let the dealer check it so it gets properly resolved.
 
#7 ·
I disconnected my battery today to connect my LED drls and when I hooked everything back up and started up, I had check engine light, and the traction control light was on. Turned off and restarted and only the check engine light stayed on. I also disconnected the halogen drls before connecting up the LED drls. Don't have time to finish up today so I'll finish it tomorrow afternoon. BTW, the LED drls are not working.....I'm wondering if I got a bad set.
 
#9 ·
I've had my Crosstrek for exactly 2 months and I had this happen to me immediately after filling up a couple days ago. Took it to the dealership and the code was P000A - Cam Position Slow Response. They "removed the actuator and checked for contamination." Then they told me to drive it and let them know if/when the codes returned.

So hopefully that fixed it - I guess time will tell!
 
#10 ·
I'll post what I posted when this came up before, maybe it can point you in the right direction...

For what it's worth, I was dealing with this in the fall. It was eventually fixed by a trip to the dealer. The dealer let on that this is a known issue, and they were pretty well versed in the course of action to fix it. They didn't have the parts on hand at the time, though, so I had to wait a few days while they ordered them. Since the fix by the dealer the issue has not come back. This was about 3 months ago or so
 
#11 ·
This thread, from last winter, discussed this issue at length.

We just had the same experience again (after several months of no warning lights), and it fixed itself after the three cold starts as discussed there.

Meanwhile, we'd had an oil change at the dealership, and they found the code that caused the earlier adventure; it was that cam-shaft position sensor. Because there were no symptoms (rough idle or anything like that), we were told not to worry about it.

Still, it's a pain to have this happen at odd intervals. HPH
 
#12 · (Edited)
The position sensor could be going bad but if you experience rough idle what I think is more likely is this:

the Subaru FB20 has active valve control system (AVCS) or variable valve timing. This requires different oil passages and oil flow that are actuated by a solenoid. I think the solenoid is suspect in this instance. If you feel the vehicle or motor shimming/wobble/rough at idle, then the solenoid is stuck or clogged. I know from experience. Look at the pic. See the 3 mesh screens and holes? These control the oil flow and they can get clogged. My old truck used an inferior part and one of the screens was missing when I installed the new one. Don't know where in the motor that screen went! Hopefully the filter.

I would ask that they inspect which ever solenoid(s) control the AVCS but you know how dealers are for warranty work.

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EDIT: I see that the dealer did this in post #9
 

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#13 ·
I had the P000A CEL recently and brought it to the dealership, who replaced an oil control valve

(Subaru Part#10921aa230), which seems at least somewhat related to what I'm reading here.. They also replaced some parts that I think they had to remove to get access to the part above and o-rings related to that...

I also mentioned the hard start problem I've seen mentioned here and they reflashed my ECU for "EXTENDED CRANK TIME" as written on my repair form..

Jay
 
#15 ·
My check engine light, traction control light and cruise went to blinking after fueling up. Was in the middle of nowhere and drove the 200 miles home. Took it in to the dealer within a couple days. As I was stuck in traffic on the way there, the lights went out. Service was not able to get info from running a diagnostic test. My car was also shuddering at low speeds with slow acceleration. They had my car for over a week. Replaced the Left CV Axle. They never could answer about the lights. It had been in to them just 1000 miles earlier for the 7500 service. Was told to go to AutoZone and get a diagnostic if this occurred again.
After having the car back for 3 weeks, same thing happened again. This time it was also shifting rough, it's an automatic. AZ diagnostic says that a power relay sense circuit is low due to poor electrical connection, faulty TCM relay or faulty TCM. It's going to a different Subaru Service center next week. Love my car, not a happy camper right now.
 
#16 ·
took our 23 month old Crosstrek in to Hassett Subaru in Wantagh NY after the check engine light and traction control lights came on, and as with everyone else, the cruise control was blinking. Thought there may have been a slight throttle issue but we didn't use it much for a few days. They replaced the right side oil control valve and the right side intake cam oil control valve as it showed to not be functioning to spec. Cleared the codes from system and road tested it. all under warranty. let's see if this fixed the problem but seems ok now.
 
#18 ·
It's really weird how almost any fault will trigger the traction control light. I had a brake light fuse out and the traction control light came on until I replaced it. It's almost like subaru thinks we're too stupid to notice one light on the dash so they illuminate 3.


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