2009 Subaru Engine, Slip Control and Cruise Control Problem

Asked by GuruWG4NC Feb 21, 2020 at 05:07 PM about the 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

     Did I fix it?  Maybe.  Maybe not?
     2009 Outback 2.5i limited.  50K miles.  She was fine early this AM: drove
to a meeting and parked for several hours.  Fuel gauge light came on while
driving which I expected.  Started up and drove short distance to fuel station.  
Filled.  Replaced fuel filler cover.  Started up.  Driving ten minutes and Check
Engine light comes on steady.  Slip Control light comes on steady. Can't turn
it off with the toggle switch lower left side of the steering wheel near the fog
light toggle.  Cruise Control light is blinking.  Cruise Control will not engage.  
         Stopped at nearest possible safe place to park, shut down engine and
pulled out Owner's Manual.  Read relevant portions.   Checked the fuel cap
for fit and lanyard not caught in it.  No change in lights.  Put hood up and had
a look around: everything looked normal and nothing leaking onto the
pavement.  No smell of fuel.  From reading manual, I started having large
numbers dancing around in my head regarding possible need for catalytic
converter repair / replacement.  Bad time for any repair necessitating a large
cash layout.  Read through all of the notes here offering advice.  Got more
worried about possible serious engine repair.
      Turned the key to "OFF" position and on several times to "ON" position
and "ACC" position to see whether a miracle would befall the car.  No such
luck.  Thought about calling my mechanic as next move since it might not be
a good idea to drive the car and a tow might be better to avoid engine
damage if the Engine light was telling the truth.  Just on a thought -- after
reading about solutions here regarding changing position of plug wires and
plus and assorted other suggestions, I put the car in Neutral and ran the
engine up to 4500 rpm to see whether the engine sounds were "abnormal"
such as missing or sputtering.  Engine sounds fine: purring as it always
does.  Shut the car off.  Ten minutes in grocery store to think what to do next:
call mechanic or tow truck or drive to mechanic to get "codes" being
discussed here?  
      Turned the engine on. Slip Control toggle switch works.  Engine light is
off.  Cruise Control light is out and Cruise Control is operable again and will
engage by the steering wheel switch.      
      Query: Did I fix my car?

1 Answer
755

GuruDPZWC answered 4 years ago

No you probably cycled the ignition enough times to reset the computer. That turns off the check engine light and re enables the cruise control function. Subaru puts that little trick in to either annoy or get your attention don't know for sure which. I suspect if there is a real problem that the check engine light will come back on and cruise control will disable.

Mark helpful

Your Answer:

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