Just bought 2009 outback... lights won't work and check engine light on!
Asked by kanterbrau Jan 16, 2014 at 06:02 PM about the 2009 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Bought an '09 outback today, 104k, limited 2.5i. As I was driving it home, I found that
while the running lights work, I have no high or low beams or fog lights. Simultaneously
with realizing this, the check engine light, vdc light, and flashing cruise control came
on. So, is this all related? Is it a serious problem? I have it over at the dealership
where I bought it and am hoping to find out whether this is a fuse/relay/small issue or
something bigger...
10 Answers
It could be fuses but with all these problems I would want to see a carfax so you would know if it had been wrecked.
migration_judge_roy answered 10 years ago
I believe (and the faithless want to shoot me) you've got a grounding problem stemming from the Main ground connection off the battery....chase the 1/0 battery cable where it attaches to the frame/ground....wirebrush the chassis...wirebrush both sides of the lug (hold with a pliers) put them together for a restored 300 cold cranking amps potential....battery should be just fine if it's a 2009~
kanterbrau answered 10 years ago
Oh yes, the dealership will be paying for it. I just am trying to devine if this is an unhappy coincidence or the mark of major problems to come. The carfax was pristine and the car is beautiful and drives like new.
With all those lights on and others not working it could be a big electrical problem or as easy as bulbs, alternator going out or fuses.
kanterbrau answered 10 years ago
actually my main question is really: would a problem with the headlights (fuse, switch, relay) cause the check engine light and flashing cruise? If it's one issue I will be happy getting it fixed for free an moving on... if it can't all be explained by one issue than I am concerned. Thanks for your replies.
kanterbrau answered 10 years ago
Neutral switch, which the wiring diagram shows controls the headlights, reverse lights, and a few other things. It was replaced and paid for by dealership. The car is running great and there have been no issues since then. Thanks for the replies.
also check the cable that runs from under the Fuse Box under the hood over to the battery and like what was mentioned before the grounds
Omg!! All these answers are wrong!! Disconnect your positive battery post for 20 seconds, put back on, try to start car. May not start first time but will 2nd and problem fixed!!!
It also may have been a salvage vehicle with water damage
On our 2006 Subaru Legacy Outback we had cruise control flashing & check engine light on and no fog lights. Before reading above we put new bulbs in, new relay and new fuse with no luck at all. After removing the positive battery post for 20 seconds, put it back on, tried to start car the 1st time then started on 2nd time - voila!!!! Fog lights working, check engine light gone and flashing cruise control gone. Perfect fix!!
