awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Good morning, was driving my car to work today and some strange things happened, thankfully I was pulling into my work parking lot traction control light came on service engine light came on cruise light blinking "s" mode flashing all of a sudden steering locked up for a second and on the dash flashed a picture of the ebrake and to engage it anyone know what this might be. Called Subaru and they said it sounds like an electronics issue and most likely will not be covered:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dujo Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 CEL with cruise light blinking is usually a code of some kind. Perhaps even a code referring to transmission since those lights are also flashing. I'm totally guessing though as I have no direct knowledge. Get your code read and google it or post it here for more info. Auto parts stores (Auto Zone, etc) should generally be able to pull codes for you for free so at least you know what the car is telling you. Is Check Engine Light blinking or steady on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 CEL with cruise light blinking is usually a code of some kind. Perhaps even a code referring to transmission since those lights are also flashing. I'm totally guessing though as I have no direct knowledge. Get your code read and google it or post it here for more info. Auto parts stores (Auto Zone, etc) should generally be able to pull codes for you for free so at least you know what the car is telling you. Is Check Engine Light blinking or steady on? I'd have to go check, I honestly can't remember but it was strange that steering locked up for a second while displaying engage emergency brake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 so an update. I got back in the car and started it up and this is what shows on the dash traction control on solid check engine light on solid cruise flashing "S" flashing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drogos Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 we can deliberate or you can go to nearest auto store and check for codes. Most likely your IAM dropped and car is in limp mode Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 we can deliberate or you can go to nearest auto store and check for codes. Most likely your IAM dropped and car is in limp mode I was simply asking for insight as I am not sure if I will be able to drive the car there. Only other option is to get it towed to Subaru and hope its not electronic and will be covered under the powertrain warranty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drogos Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Ok, to give you an example my IAM dropped twice because I had faulty plx blutooth OBDII dongle and it caused weird interference with ECU which in effect was throwing codes. SO it could be anything really. Where are you located? Maybe there is someone close by that could stop by and read your codes unless you have auto store close enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Ok, to give you an example my IAM dropped twice because I had faulty plx blutooth OBDII dongle and it caused weird interference with ECU which in effect was throwing codes. SO it could be anything really. Where are you located? Maybe there is someone close by that could stop by and read your codes unless you have auto store close enough. I'm hoping I can drive it the 4 miles home and scan it since my neighbor has one. I'm just nervous since it was weird that the steering locked up for a second and on the dash flashed the engage e brake sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laz Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I seriously doubt that your steering wheel locked up. Maybe the engine rpm's dropped so low that you lost power steering boost for a second. All those ligts Coming on are just related to the check engine light coming on. I once had a CEL because I spun all wheels on an icy road and they all spun at different speeds. On the 5tg gen I have now the CEL came on while cruising down the road. It turned out it was the gas cap not being tight enough. I though I had tightened enough, but I guess it is thy sensitive. I don't think there is any electronic mechanism that will lock up your steering wheel except for the lock when you remove the key. GL X --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drogos Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I wouldn't worry about steering to be honest. If/when IAM drops your rpms are all over the place, might have been sudden drop in power steering pressure or something ....when you say lock up...do you meed actual lock or increased effort needed to steer because power steering is not working edit: ^^^^ I guess we sent it at the same time what he said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 There is little you can do. It is most likely safe to drive to the nearest parts store and have them scan the codes. There can be no speculation until you scan the codes. Today I go the "christmas tree" like you. Its -43c here today. Turned out to be a P0171 code, which is too lean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 thanks for the input guys. I am hoping it was just related to the cold weather. The car is garaged but it's probably 30 degrees in there. It very well could have been a loss of power steering, just something I have no experienced before. Also never saw an ebrake flashing on the dash... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drogos Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 There is little you can do. It is most likely safe to drive to the nearest parts store and have them scan the codes. There can be no speculation until you scan the codes. Today I go the "christmas tree" like you. Its -43c here today. Turned out to be a P0171 code, which is too lean. shit..."only" -20c here. Intake manifold gaskets ? Rough idle by any chance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 shit..."only" -20c here. Intake manifold gaskets ? Rough idle by any chance? lol, awful idling, sounds like it's going to stall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated thefultonhow Posted January 22, 2013 I Donated Share Posted January 22, 2013 Also never saw an ebrake flashing on the dash... That generally happens when the e-brake is engaged (i.e. the switch is not being pressed down) when the car is moving. Sounds like you may have had a momentary issue with the ECU that caused the car to stall, and then it started up again since you were still moving? Speculation is pretty useless, though; you really need to pull the code. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 got the codes run P0300 P0171 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 anyone got any ideas? Should I reset my battery or take it to the dealer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated thefultonhow Posted January 23, 2013 I Donated Share Posted January 23, 2013 anyone got any ideas? Should I reset my battery or take it to the dealer? Reset the ECU with the code reader and see if the codes come back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Reset the ECU with the code reader and see if the codes come back. a simple unhook the battery and press the brake pedal reset I'm assuming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated thefultonhow Posted January 23, 2013 I Donated Share Posted January 23, 2013 a simple unhook the battery and press the brake pedal reset I'm assuming Why not do it correctly, with a code reader? Didn't you say your neighbor has one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 reset it with a code reader last night and drove it for about 20 minutes and then again this morning and no codes yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjweb Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 P0300 P0171 Random misfire System Too Lean (Bank 1) As for the powertrain warranty, unless you have an extended warranty, I doubt you'll be covered. The Subaru powertrain warranty applies for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Assuming your 08 came out at the end of 07 (like 99% of cars), you're past the mark. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 Random misfire System Too Lean (Bank 1) As for the powertrain warranty, unless you have an extended warranty, I doubt you'll be covered. The Subaru powertrain warranty applies for 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. Assuming your 08 came out at the end of 07 (like 99% of cars), you're past the mark. Good luck I checked with Subaru, I am good for a few more months on the powertrain Thanks for all your help guys, appreciate it very much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drogos Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 the reason codes didn't come back...yet...means nothing. You have warranty, go check it out. Even if they send you home saying it's all good, make sure you have it on the paper if something goes wrong, right after warranty is done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awwrxwgn Posted January 24, 2013 Author Share Posted January 24, 2013 the reason codes didn't come back...yet...means nothing. You have warranty, go check it out. Even if they send you home saying it's all good, make sure you have it on the paper if something goes wrong, right after warranty is done. it wouldn't be covered under warranty, $129 just for them to look at it. If it comes back I'll take it in. The cold does crazy things to these fine automobiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.