what causes the cruise control light blinking

Light Adviser

Why Is My Cruise Control Light Blinking?

If you’ve ever noticed your cruise control light blinking, you may be left wondering what it means and how it affects your driving experience. Understanding why is my cruise control light blinking is crucial for maintaining vehicle safety and performance. This article will delve into the common causes of this issue, helping you identify potential problems before they escalate.

By exploring the reasons behind a blinking cruise control light, you’ll gain insights into essential vehicle diagnostics, empowering you to take proactive measures. Whether it’s a simple fix or a signal of a more significant concern, knowing what to look for can save you time and money while ensuring a smoother ride on the road ahead.

Also, interested to know, Why Is My Disposable Vape Light Staying On? ?

Top Reasons: why is my cruise control light blinking?

Cruise control light blinking can indicate a malfunction in the system, a faulty speed sensor may cause the cruise control light to blink, electrical issues could lead to the cruise control light flashing unexpectedly, cruise control light blinking might suggest that there is a problem with the brake system, low fluid levels in the vehicle can trigger the cruise control light to blink.

A blinking cruise control light often indicates a malfunction within the system, signaling that your vehicle’s cruise control is not functioning correctly. This issue can arise due to various factors, including problems with the throttle position sensor or issues within the cruise control module itself. When the cruise control light blinks, it is a warning from your vehicle’s onboard computer that something needs attention to ensure safe driving.

The connection between a blinking cruise control light and potential malfunctions is crucial for understanding why this happens. For instance, if there’s an issue with the throttle position sensor, it may send incorrect signals to the engine control unit. This can lead to erratic behavior in your vehicle’s speed regulation, making it essential to address any blinking lights as soon as possible for both safety and performance.

To resolve this issue effectively, you might consider starting with a diagnostic check using an OBD-II scanner. This tool can help identify specific error codes related to the cruise control system and guide you toward potential fixes. In some cases, simply resetting the system or replacing a faulty sensor may restore proper functionality and stop the blinking light from reappearing.

If you’re unsure about tackling these repairs yourself, seeking help from a qualified mechanic is advisable. They can perform thorough inspections and provide expert solutions tailored to your situation. Addressing a blinking cruise control light promptly not only enhances your driving experience but also ensures that all systems are operating safely and efficiently on the road.

A faulty speed sensor can be a significant reason for the cruise control light blinking in your vehicle. The speed sensor monitors your car’s speed and sends this information to the engine control unit (ECU). When this sensor malfunctions, it can disrupt the communication between the ECU and the cruise control system, leading to erratic behavior of the cruise control light.

When the speed sensor fails, it may send incorrect data or no data at all, causing confusion for the vehicle’s systems. This can result in symptoms such as unexpected acceleration or deceleration when using cruise control. Understanding how a faulty speed sensor relates to why your cruise control light is blinking helps you pinpoint potential issues before they escalate into more serious problems.

To diagnose a faulty speed sensor, it’s essential to check for error codes using an OBD-II scanner. This device connects to your car’s onboard computer and reveals any underlying issues that may need attention. Regular maintenance checks and timely repairs can prevent further complications related to your cruise control system and ensure a smoother driving experience.

If you suspect a malfunctioning speed sensor is behind your blinking cruise control light, consider consulting with a professional mechanic. They can accurately assess the situation and recommend necessary repairs or replacements. Taking prompt action not only enhances safety but also contributes to better fuel efficiency and overall vehicle performance while cruising on highways.

Electrical issues can often be the root cause of a blinking cruise control light. When there is a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical system, it may disrupt the signals that control various functions, including cruise control. This disruption can lead to confusion within the system, causing the cruise control light to blink as an alert to the driver about potential problems.

In many cases, faulty wiring or loose connections can trigger this issue. For example, if a wire connected to the cruise control system is damaged or not properly secured, it can send incorrect signals to the onboard computer. This situation not only affects your cruise control but could also indicate broader electrical problems that might need immediate attention for safe driving.

To address these electrical issues related to your blinking cruise control light, it’s essential first to conduct a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s wiring and connections. Checking fuses and relays associated with the cruise control system can also provide insights into what might be wrong. If you are not comfortable diagnosing these problems yourself, seeking help from a qualified mechanic is advisable to ensure all electrical components function correctly.

Taking prompt action when you notice your cruise control light blinking is crucial for maintaining safety on the road. Ignoring this warning could lead to more severe malfunctions or even accidents while driving. Regular maintenance checks and being aware of any changes in your vehicle’s performance will help prevent such issues from escalating and keep your driving experience smooth and worry-free.

A blinking cruise control light can often indicate an issue with your vehicle’s brake system. This warning is crucial for maintaining safe driving conditions, as the cruise control system relies on the brakes to function properly. If there’s a malfunction, it may disrupt the connection between your car’s speed control and braking mechanisms, leading to potentially dangerous situations while driving.

When you notice the cruise control light blinking, it’s essential to understand that this could be linked to several brake-related problems. Common issues include worn brake pads, low brake fluid levels, or even a malfunctioning brake switch. Each of these factors can affect how well your cruise control operates and may require immediate attention to ensure both your safety and the functionality of your vehicle.

Addressing a blinking cruise control light involves inspecting various components of the brake system. Start by checking the brake fluid level; if it’s low, topping it off might resolve the issue. If that doesn’t work, consider having a professional mechanic examine the brakes and associated systems more thoroughly for any signs of wear or failure that could lead to further complications down the road.

Taking prompt action when you see a blinking cruise control light can prevent more significant repairs in the future. Regular maintenance checks are vital for keeping both your braking system and cruise control functioning smoothly. By staying proactive about these warnings, you not only enhance your vehicle’s performance but also ensure a safer driving experience overall.

Low fluid levels in the vehicle can trigger the cruise control light to blink, indicating a potential issue that needs immediate attention. When essential fluids like brake fluid or transmission fluid drop below optimal levels, it can disrupt the proper functioning of various systems in your car, including cruise control. This blinking light serves as an alert, signaling that something may be amiss and requires investigation.

When fluid levels are low, it can affect the performance of critical components such as brakes and throttle response. For instance, if the brake fluid is low, it may compromise braking efficiency, which is crucial for safe driving when using cruise control. The vehicle’s onboard computer monitors these systems closely; any irregularities prompt warning signals like a blinking cruise control light to ensure driver safety.

To address this issue effectively, start by checking all essential fluid levels in your vehicle. This includes inspecting brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant, and power steering fluid. If you find that any of these fluids are below recommended levels, top them off or seek professional assistance to identify any leaks or other underlying problems that might be causing the depletion.

Regular maintenance checks can help prevent low fluid levels from becoming a recurring issue and keep your cruise control system functioning smoothly. By staying proactive about your vehicle’s health and addressing concerns promptly when the cruise control light blinks, you enhance both safety and driving comfort on the road. Taking these steps not only resolves immediate issues but also contributes to long-term reliability for your vehicle’s performance.

FAQs related to why is my cruise control light blinking

Why is my cruise control light blinking while driving.

The cruise control light may blink while driving due to a malfunction in the system, indicating that it has been disengaged. This could be caused by issues such as a faulty brake switch or problems with the throttle.

What does it mean if my cruise control light is blinking and my car won’t accelerate?

If the cruise control light is blinking and your car won’t accelerate, this typically signifies that there is a problem with the cruise control system or another engine-related issue. It’s advisable to have your vehicle checked by a mechanic.

Is it safe to drive when my cruise control light is blinking?

Driving with a blinking cruise control light can be unsafe, as it indicates a potential issue with the system. It’s best to deactivate cruise control and have your vehicle inspected if the light continues to blink.

How can I fix a blinking cruise control light on my dashboard?

To fix a blinking cruise control light, start by checking for any blown fuses or faulty components like the brake switch. If these are not the issue, it’s recommended to consult a professional mechanic for further diagnosis and repair.

Cruise Control: Cruise Control (Wikipedia)

How Cruise Control Works: How Cruise Control Works (HowStuffWorks)

Adaptive Cruise Control: Adaptive Cruise Control (ScienceDirect)

You may also consider reading Why Is My D4 Light Flashing on My Honda?

In conclusion, a blinking cruise control light is more than just a minor annoyance; it serves as a crucial indicator of potential issues within your vehicle. As we discussed, this warning can arise from various factors including a faulty speed sensor, electrical problems, brake system malfunctions, or low fluid levels. Understanding these key points empowers you to take proactive measures in diagnosing and addressing the underlying issues before they escalate into more significant concerns.

If you notice your cruise control light blinking, don’t hesitate to investigate further or consult a professional mechanic. By applying the insights gained from this article, you can ensure the safety and reliability of your vehicle while enjoying the convenience that cruise control offers. Remember, staying informed about your car’s signals not only enhances your driving experience but also fosters confidence on the road. Keep your vehicle in top shape and drive with peace of mind!

Why Is My Cruise Control Light Blinking?

By: Author Zach Reed

Seeing the light on your dashboard start to blink is always concerning, especially if you don’t know what it means.

If you see your cruise control light blinking on your dashboard, you’ll probably start to worry about what it means and what you’ll have to do to get it fixed.

Heck, what does it even mean when your cruise control light is on but not flashing? Does that just mean that the system is working properly, or does that mean it’s faulty?

If your cruise control light is blinking, this typically means that something is faulty within the system and could mean that the cruise control itself might need to be repaired.

More often than not, this is usually to do with the electronics, such as a speed sensor. If you have a faulty system, you should refrain from using cruise control until it’s fixed.

Today, we’re going to talk about what the cruise control light looks like on most cars, and what it means when it starts blinking.

We’ll also discuss what to do if the light is on but not blinking, and whether or not you can safely drive your car in that state.

Our main goal with this site is to provide you and the rest of our readers with exactly what they’re looking for.

This way, you don’t have to waste your time perusing the web, comparing sources to one another, and trying to figure out what’s right and what’s wrong.

We’ve done the legwork for you, so all you have to do is come here and you’re good to go!

What Does the Cruise Control Light Look Like?

Before we go through this entire article talking about the cruise control light in your car, let’s make sure you know what the cruise control light actually looks like.

After all, there are all sorts of lights on your dashboard, and seeing any one of them turn on unexpectedly can be a bit confusing. So knowing what certain ones look like will help you figure out what’s going on more quickly.

The cruise control light usually looks like a miniature speedometer with the analog indicator set in place, indicating that the speed of your car is set as well.

This light is usually found on the lower right side of your dashboard, near where the speedometer and odometer are. If you can’t find it there, it might be located on the steering column. 

It’s important to know where this light is so that if it does turn on while you’re driving, you’re not scrambling to figure out where it is and what it means.

Now that we know what the cruise control light looks like, let’s talk about what it means when it starts blinking.

What Does it Mean if Your Cruise Control Light is Blinking?

There are a few different things that could be going on if you see the cruise control light blinking while you’re driving. The first thing you should do is check to see if your cruise control is working at all.

A general rule of thumb about most lights on your dash is that if they’re flashing, it usually means that something is faulty with that particular system and it’s not working as it’s expected to .

To check to see if cruise control is working, you can simply try to engage it. If the light is blinking, that’s usually an indication that the system is turned on but not working properly.

This could be for a number of reasons, such as a problem with the speed sensor or cruise control servo. In most cases, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic to get it checked out and repaired.

Why is My Cruise Control Light On But Not Blinking?

The vast majority of the time, if you see a light illuminated on your dashboard, it typically means that there’s an issue of some sort going on.

But cruise control is one of the few exceptions to this rule. When you see your cruise control light illuminated on your dash, that’s actually a good sign. It’s exactly what you want to see!

If the light is on but not blinking, that usually means that cruise control is engaged and working properly. This should be easy to verify since you’ll be able to feel the car maintaining its speed without you having to do anything.

The light being on is simply there to let you know that the system is engaged and working.

It’s important to note that even if the light is on and cruise control is working, you might still have some issues with the system.

For example, you might notice that your car is having trouble maintaining speed on hills or in stop-and-go traffic.

If this is happening, it’s usually an indication that your cruise control system needs to be adjusted. But as long as the light is on, you know that the system is engaged and working.

Can You Drive Your Car With a Faulty Cruise Control System?

If you’re driving and you see the cruise control light start blinking, the best thing to do is to disengage cruise control and drive without it until you can get your car into a mechanic.

In most cases, it’s not safe to continue driving using cruise control if you know that the system is having issues or that something is faulty within the sensors and electronics of the system.

The reason for this is that cruise control relies on sensors to help maintain speed.

If something is wrong with the sensor or the system itself, your car might not be able to properly gauge its speed.

This could lead to you unintentionally speeding or, even worse, not being able to slow down in time if someone cuts you off or if there’s an obstacle in the road.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your car. So if you see the cruise control light blinking, make sure to disengage the system and drive without it until you can get your car into a mechanic.

Summing Up Why Your Cruise Control Light is Blinking

If your cruise control light is not only on, but blinking, it usually indicates that there is something wrong with the device itself.

It’s important to stop using cruise control as soon as you see the light blinking and take it into a mechanic to get it fixed. Otherwise, it could lead to accidents if you’re not able to stop in time.

Blinking cruise control lights aren’t generally too much cause for concern, but be diligent about any light that starts blinking on your dashboard!

Hi, I'm the founder of VehicleAnswers.com! Having owned a wide variety of vehicles in my life, I was astounded at how hard it can be to find answers to common automotive questions. Rather than sit idly, I decided to create this website to help others!

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Toyota Passenger and Sports Car Forums
• Camry and Solara Forum
• Camry 5th and 6th Gen '02-'11, Solara '04-'08

Cruise Control light blinking

• Add to quote

This has happened only once the other night. I was cruising about 50MPH, hit the brakes for a red light, while I was at the red light the Cruise Control light started flashing. The cruise control would not engage at any speed during the flashing stage, and I didn't think it would as a flashing light usually means a malfunction. I went a few miles turned the car off, restarted it and haven't had a problem since. Any ideas? Or just chalk this up to a 1 time glitch?  

"If the cruise control indicator light flashes: Turn the “ON-OFF” button off once, and then reactivate the system. If the cruise control speed cannot be set or if the cruise control cancels immediately after being activated, there may be a malfunction in the cruise control system. Contact your Toyota dealer and have your Toyota inspected." Read Page 3 (3rd page down) of THIS  

That's in my owners manual too, but I tried that. The light just continued to flash every time I tried to turn it on again. It was only after I shut off the car and restarted it that the cruise would work again. And it has been working for the last 3 days since it happened.  

Pvt-Public said: Thanks for the info, but I tried that. The light blinked every time I tried to turn it on again. It was only after I shut off the car and restarted it that the cruise would work again. And it has been working for the last 3 days since it happened. Click to expand...

Glad you were able to reset it, but I wonder what caused it? ABS or speed sensor maybe malfunctioning, or just a glitch :dunno: Did you slam on brakes for that light, or just slow down normal? Last time I encountered something like this (on a different vehicle), one of my front abs/speed sensor wires was snapped/stretched. The fault was permanent until that wire was fixed though.  

Any or all brake light bulbs out? That is supposed to cause the CC to fail (Fail-safe mode?). JAT  

Did you slam on brakes for that light, or just slow down normal? Click to expand...

Any or all brake light bulbs out? Click to expand...

Could be an indication of your brake pedal sensor beginning to fail. Make sure that it is operating the rear lights correctly, you can check its signal to the computer with a professional scan tool. Also, the Cruise Control switch could be starting to act up / fail... you can also check this with a scan tool, as well as history codes from the last failure within 60 or so ignition cycles... I believe the CC goes into "fail-safe" mode when it sees a signal from the switch that last longer than a predetermined time more than once in a given timeframe.  

It's been 5 days with no further problems. Brake and CC switch seem to be working. I am just keeping my fingers crossed for now. Thanks for the suggestions.  

Hey brining back this old topic Just got in a 2010 Camry (to be clear, I am a Toyota freak... have had over 20 personally and own a classic JDM Toyota, but FREQUENTLY get Toyotas for our car business - I am a Toyota enthusiast but not every one that I write about is mine) SAME issue, and when I bought it from auction, it had a check engine light for the brake switch which had been cleared (on its own) from the system before it made it to me via shipping. CANNOT be a coincidence. The local junk yard has many Siennas which, second gen, use the same switch. About to see if that fixes it. Best Drew  

My 2000 CE had a bad Brake light switch a few months ago. I noticed my car wouldn't shift into gear (automatic) or maintain cruise control but blink when activated. Then I noticed my brake lights were out. So after changing the BLS (brake light switch) and adjusting it, My brake lights came back and I was able to shift gear normally. BUT< to this day my cruise control system is not working. It turns on but once I set the speed it doesn't do its thing but blinks. So thinking to check the actuator...read someone say theirs did the same thing and it a was a small connecting brush inside that wore down.... anyone had the same experience?  

Hello, did you end up figuring this out? I have the same issue on my 2002 Toyota Rav4. I replaced the brake light switch but it did not fix the issue.  

Shoot that I’m not sure about, and the car is gone. I hope it works out for you  

Yikes! Not sure what else it could be!  

can someone help me with my mystery, Camry 2010 cruise control not working only blinks even when I changed the brake light switch. Maybe its the speed sensor?  

My 06 does the same, a bump in the highway can knock it back to blinking, sometimes i can slow down to 50mph and i can re engage it , sometimes its out for days sometimes it works for days i got new brake light switch for brake lights but it still does the same so im thinkin the stretched or loose wire somehow might be the issue, sux a bump never makes it able to coome back on tho lol 06 camry, turnin it on and off never works for me either  

Jus slowed down to 40 to go thru town and it worked lol  

• ?            
• 611.1K members

Top Contributors this Month

Why is Subaru Cruise Control Light Flashing on My Car Dashboard?

Driving can be fun, but long-distance driving can be fatiguing as you keep pressing the gas pedal to keep the car going at your desired speed. Thankfully, cars now feature cruise control — a system that lets drivers set a desired speed and relaxes their feet when traveling a long journey.

You can activate the system by pressing the cruise control button and the vehicle will keep you at the current speed. So you don’t have to depress the gas pedal to keep the car running. Cars with advanced cruise control systems use sensors at the front bumper to detect vehicles ahead of them and keep the car at a distance to prevent collision.

Like other system components, the cruise control does have issues. And these issues are common with Subaru cars. Most Subaru owners complain of Subaru cruise control light flashing on the dashboard as they drive.

Why does my Subaru cruise control light keep flashing?

The most common reason why the cruise control light is flashing on your Subaru is due to an electrical or mechanical problem. Remember, when the light is flashing, the cruise control system is disabled, so don’t try to turn it on because it won’t work.

In some other cases, the cruise control light may be flashing due to a defective or loose gas cap, a blown fuse for the cruise control, a failing brake pedal switch, or a defective vehicle speed sensor. Let’s have an in-depth look to see how these issues could cause cruise control light flashing on Subaru Outback and other Subaru models.

Blown fuses

The cruise control system consists of several electrical systems protected by a fuse. The fuse can blow up if there’s an electrical power issue, preventing the key components from failing. If that happens, it will disable the cruise control system. In some cases, the car computer will start flashing the cruise control light on the dashboard to notify you that there’s an underlying issue that needs urgent attention.

If you suspect the fuse is blown, replace it and see if that fixes the cruise control system and clear the blinking light on the dashboard.  If that resolves the problem but the fuse blows in no time and the light starts blinking again, you have other electrical issues. Contact your mechanic for a thorough diagnosis.

Defective speed sensor

The vehicle speed sensor is one of the essential components of the cruise control system. When you activate the cruise control, the onboard computer collects information from the speed sensor to know when to increase and decrease the engine speed.

The vehicle speed sensor is mounted at the tail end of your transmission, and if it malfunctions, the cruise control light will start blinking on the dashboard. The speed sensor is needed to ensure that the speedometer and the odometer work correctly, and without it, the cruise control system will be affected.

If you notice the cruise control light flashing and check engine light is on, check the vehicle speed sensor. A bad speed sensor triggers the check engine light and disables the cruise control system. This sensor cannot be repaired. So, if it is the root cause, the only solution is to replace it with a new one.

Loose gas cap

Believe it or not, the gas cap plays a crucial role in your vehicle’s overall functionality. The gas cap can affect the performance of the cruise control system. For instance, in Subarus, a loose gas cap can cause the cruise control light to blink as you drive. It can also trigger the check engine light to pop on the dashboard. So, a loose gas cap can cause the Subaru Forester check engine light with flashing cruise control to pop on the dashboard.

Faulty mechanical component

If you own an older Subaru car, the cruise control light could be flashing due to a faulty mechanical component. In older models, the cruise control system has a cable, connecting the throttle to an air actuator, which regulates the cable to keep the vehicle at the set speed settings.

If any of the mechanical components go bad, it can disable the system and trigger the blinking light on the dashboard.

Malfunctioning brake pedal switch

Under perfect conditions, the brake lights shine as you depress the brake pedal. There’s a component attached to the brake pedal — the brake pedal switch, which tells the brake lights to light up as you depress the pedal.

If the switch goes bad, the brake lights won’t know when you step on the brake pedal. But aside from this, a bad brake pedal switch can also affect the cruise control system.

When you activate the cruise control system, the system will deactivate and switch to manual mode whenever you step on the brake pedal. If the switch malfunctions, it may send wrong signals to the cruise control system, telling it the brake pedal is always depressed, preventing the cruise control system from turning on.

System malfunction

If your Subaru check engine light is flashing along with the cruise control light and the brake pedal switch, fuses, and vehicle speed sensors are good, you have a problem somewhere in the cruise control system.

To determine the root cause of the malfunction, you need a mechanic to diagnose the vehicle. The mechanic will inspect all cruise control components and may plug in a scan tool to pull out all the error codes in the vehicle.

It’s okay for the cruise control light to be on when you activate it, but if the light comes on when you are not using the cruise control, or the light starts blinking when you activate it, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. In most cases, a flashing cruise control light on Subaru is accompanied by the engine warning light.

What to do if your Subaru cruise control light flashing?

Whenever the Subrau cruise control light starts flashing on the dashboard, the cruise control has malfunctioned or disabled. Hence, do not turn on the cruise control system. If the light starts flashing after getting gas, locate a safe spot and pull over. Check the gas cap and re-tighten it. It could be you did not secure the gas cap properly.

If that do not solve the problem, drive straight to your mechanic and have them diagnose and fix the problem.

Does the cruise control stop working when check engine light is on?

If the onboard computer detects a problem with your transmission or the engine, it will display the check engine light and disable certain vehicle functions, like the cruise control system, to prevent further damage until you address the issue.

Let’s be clear here; this does not mean that the PCM must disable the cruise control whenever it detects an issue with the engine or transmission. It will only disable the system if the issue is causing unstable engine performance.

Subaru Outback check engine light flashing, cruise control, and traction control light blinking can all come up due to engine performance issues. Contact your mechanic to proffer solutions to the problem. 

Final Words

To be precise, the flashing Subaru cruise control light shows there is a mechanical or electrical problem in your car. The cruise control light should be green and steady when you turn on the system. But if the light is flashing, turn off the cruise control until you address the problem.

If you are a DIYer, you can fix the issue yourself. But if you are not, contact your mechanic or dealership. The solution can be easy, quick, and quite affordable.

Osuagwu Solomon

Osuagwu Solomon is a certified mechanic with over a decade of experience in the mechanic garage, and he has over five years of experience in the writing industry. He started writing automotive articles to share his garage experience with car enthusiasts and armature mechanics. If he is not in the garage fixing challenging mechanical problems, he is writing automotive repair guides, buyer’s guides, and car and tools comparisons.

Recent Posts

How to Warm Engine Without Block Heater?

Starting problems are almost inevitable during winter, especially with older cars, and that's why they come fitted with block heaters to help keep the engine warm. While modern vehicles would start...

Two-Stroke vs. Four-Stroke Engines: Which Is Better for Your Needs?

2-Stroke and 4-Stroke engines are two of the most common engines you'll find on many large applications. However, smaller applications also use them. While their usefulness cannot be over-emphasized,...

5 Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Stopped Working

• Updated: March 15, 2023

It would be difficult to find a vehicle on the road today without cruise control. This invaluable feature makes driving long distances easier but can also cause trouble when it malfunctions. Understanding the reasons your cruise control stopped working ensures that you can get the problem fixed quickly for a more enjoyable ride. 

While this fault can cause issues with the cruise control system itself, there could also be an effect on the acceleration of your vehicle. That’s why you want to have it looked at as soon as you notice a problem. Let’s take a quick look at the reasons your cruise control may have stopped working.

Reasons Why Your Cruise Control Stopped Working

The most common reason a cruise control stops working is due to a blown fuse or a defective brake pedal switch . It can also be caused by issues with the throttle control system or the ABS. In older cruise control systems, it can be caused by a broken vacuum line.

Here is a more detailed list of the possible reasons your cruise control is not working:

1. Blown Fuse

All electrical systems in the vehicle are controlled by fuses. Your cruise control system is attached to a fuse that can blow if there is a short circuit or fault. Without a good fuse, the cruise control system can’t work at all.

Thankfully, it’s not difficult to find and replace a blown fuse. Look in the owner’s manual to find the fuse that corresponds with the cruise control technology. 

2. Defective Brake Pedal Switch

The brake pedal switch is responsible for turning the brake lights on and off based on the pedal position. Cruise control systems are designed to disengage whenever your brake pedal gets pressed. 

Because the cruise control is wired into the brake pedal switch, any fault can cause it to stop working. When the brake pedal switch malfunctions, the car believes the brakes are engaged, causing the system to turn off automatically. Not only that, but your car’s brake light might also be stuck on, leaving confused drivers in your wake. 

3. Malfunctioning Speed Sensor

Speed sensors are located on every wheel or differential. The purpose of these sensors is to monitor the speed of the wheels to determine if traction control is needed. 

The speed sensors are also part of the cruise control system. When a sensor fails, the cruise control can stop working and the speedometer might act strange as well. 

If there is an issue with a speed sensor, it will often show with an ABS warning light or a check engine light on the dashboard.

RELATED: 3 Symptoms of a Bad ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

4. Electrical Issues

The cruise control system is electronic, with many components working together to make the system operate. If the cruise control fails to work, you want to check the wiring harness and associated connectors for a fault.

You also need to ensure that the voltage source is supplying enough power to the system. Even the smallest fault can cause defects with the cruise control. In many cases, there can be an issue with the cruise control lever or buttons causing the cruise control to not engage.

If your cruise control buttons are located on the steering wheel it could also be caused by a bad clock spring, which is located behind the steering wheel.

Check the system with an OBD2 scanner to look for any trouble codes related to the cruise control.

RELATED: 5 Symptoms of a Broken Clock Spring, Location & Replacement Cost

5. Damaged Vacuum Actuator, Hoses or Cable (Older cruise control)

If you drive an older vehicle with cruise control, you might have an issue with the vacuum actuator or the cable that connects to the throttle. If there has been damage done to the vacuum hoses or the actuator, the cruise control will stop working altogether.

Additionally, the cable linking the actuator to the throttle must be in good shape. If it has been broken, the cruise control will fail. 

What is Cruise Control?

Cruise control is a feature that is used when you are traveling at a consistent speed. Cruise control was first introduced for automobiles in the 1950s. However, it took many years before it became a staple in the modern vehicle.

This electrical system allows you to set a predetermined speed and take your foot off of the gas pedal. If you are on a long drive, there is less fatigue because you don’t have to try to maintain your speed. Cruise control can also benefit fuel economy because the vehicle uses less fuel when traveling steadily. 

In newer cars, you might be able to find adaptive cruise control , which is a smart technology. Adaptive cruise control allows you to travel at a predetermined speed, but it also helps to maintain a safe distance from the vehicles in front of you with the help of sensors. With conventional cruise control, you need to take over when the car in front of you slows down, but that’s not the case with adaptive cruise control. 

There are also vehicles nowadays with not only cruise control, but fully self-driving vehicles . We will most likely see much more of this in the future.

Cruise Control Repair Cost

The cost to repair your cruise control system depends on what caused it to fail. If you need to replace a cruise control or brake switch, you might spend between $125 and $350, including parts and labor. However, the cost to change a fuse is only a few dollars and you can perform the replacement yourself in just a matter of seconds. 

On the other hand, when something major fails, such as the actuator, you could be looking at a much higher repair bill. In some vehicles, the cost to replace a cruise control actuator can cost more than $700. These costs rise if you drive a luxury vehicle or one that is difficult to get parts for. 

It might not seem immediately important for you to fix the broken cruise control, but this defective system can affect other performance aspects. You could start to notice issues with acceleration or have trouble with the speedometer. To play it safe, it’s always best to have the cruise control repaired as soon as you notice a problem.

Is there a fuse for the cruise control?

Yes. If the cruise control is installed from the factory, you should check your car’s owner’s manual for the fuse location. If it’s an aftermarket cruise control, you’ll need to follow the wires to find the fuse.

Does the brake switch affect the cruise control system?

Yes. The brake switch affects the cruise control system. The brake switch sends a signal to the cruise control system to let it know when the brakes are being applied for the engine to know when it should stop accelerating.

Will the cruise control work if the check engine light is on?

The cruise control function will be disabled when the check engine light is on in most car models, even if the cause of the check engine light is not the cruise control itself. This is mainly due to safety reasons.

Can a vacuum leak affect cruise control?

Older vehicles use vacuum to control the throttle for the cruise control, and in this case a vacuum leak can heavily affect the cruise control. However, modern cruise controls are fully electric and in most cases will not be affected by a vacuum leak if the check engine light is not illuminated.

Although many people may think that the cruise control system is unimportant and not worth spending money to repair, the problem can be caused by a faulty part that will affect the engine’s performance or durability. Therefore, it is best not to ignore the problem if your cruise control is not working without first diagnosing the car properly.

If your cruise control still isn’t working after trying all the tips in this article, it’s probably time to take it in for a professional opinion from a mechanic. It may be a more serious problem that requires replacement parts or repairs. In the meantime, drive safe and enjoy the open road!

Learn more:

• Brake Lights Not Working But Tail Lights Are? (How to Fix)
• Tail Lights Not Working But Brake Lights Are? (How to Fix)
• Brake Lights Stay On? (5 Causes & How to Fix it)

Categories: Electric , Troubleshooting

Related Posts

Latest Posts

• The Best & Worst Years Of Ford Explorer
• Best & Worst Years Of Toyota Corolla
• Best & Worst Years of Toyota RAV4
• When Should Your Child Switch To A Forward-Facing Car Seat?
• The Best & Worst Years Of Toyota Camry
• I Accidentally Put Premium Gas In My Car, What To Do?

• 240sxConvertible.com
• EX35Forum.com
• 350zClub.org
• 370zClub.org
• ConceptNissan.com
• CubeDriver.com
• DatsunForum.com
• DatsunPickup.com
• FX35Forum.com
• InfinitiFX37.com
• FX45Forum.com
• G25Driver.com
• G35club.org
• G37Driver.com
• G37Convertible.com
• GTRclub.org
• NissanLeafForum.com
• InfinitiG37.com
• InfinitiM37.com
• M35forum.com
• M45forum.com
• M56club.com
• MaximaClub.org
• NissanJuke.org
• NissanRogue.org
• NissanTrucks.org
• NissanVersa.org
• TheNissanPath.com
• Z32club.org
• EX35 / EX37
• FX35 / FX45 / FX50
• Car Care and Detailing
• Finance and Insurance
• General Automotive
• Nissan Event
• Nissan Motors
• Motorsports
• Skidmarks - The Series
• Technical Service Bulletins
• Wheel and Tire
• PRODUCT REVIEWS
• SERVICE MANUALS
• Advertiser Directory
• Classifieds
• Fabricators' Market
• Home Board index Nissan Car Forums Rogue Forum

Search NICOclub.com

Flashing cruise control "Set" light.

Post by Helium2 » Mon May 28, 2018 1:13 am

Re: Flashing cruise control "Set" light.

Post by Helium2 » Tue May 29, 2018 8:38 pm

Post by mrsteve7 » Tue May 29, 2018 9:41 pm

Post by Helium2 » Tue May 29, 2018 10:48 pm

Post by rowlands57 » Wed May 30, 2018 4:11 am

Post by mrsteve7 » Wed May 30, 2018 11:17 am

Post by mpattdu » Wed May 30, 2018 1:48 pm

Post by Helium2 » Fri Jun 01, 2018 1:18 pm

Post by mpattdu » Fri Jun 01, 2018 2:23 pm

Post by Helium2 » Fri Jun 01, 2018 7:14 pm

Post by jepaul2438 » Tue Jul 03, 2018 12:00 am

Post by Helium2 » Tue Jul 03, 2018 2:20 pm

Post by jepaul2438 » Fri Jul 06, 2018 8:27 pm

Post by Helium2 » Sat Jul 07, 2018 1:49 am

Post by jepaul2438 » Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:45 pm

Cruise Control Cannot be Set

Post by RCH » Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:45 pm

Re: Cruise Control Cannot be Set

Post by Rogue One » Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:44 pm

RCH wrote: ↑ Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:45 pm This is an old problem (intermittent) with my 2016 Rogue. The Cruise control cannot be set. When you turn on your Cruise control, the cruise control symbol in the dashboard is blinking yellow, instead of steady white. Pressing the Set button does not work and it will not hold or maintain the desired speed (above 40MPH). Normally, when you switch on the cruise control, the symbol is steady white (waiting for you to press the set button) and once you press the set button it will turn to steady yellow with the desired/set speed. It is intermittent and the dealer cannot recreate the problem. No Code generated too. I showed them my video. I am just sharing just in case someone has experienced this before.

mpattdu wrote: ↑ Wed May 30, 2018 1:48 pm Here is what the manual says. I would check coolant level and make sure you're not accidentally pushing another button when you turn on the cruise. PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CONTROL . If the cruise control system malfunctions, it will cancel automatically. The SET indicator on the vehicle information display will then blink to warn the driver. . If the engine coolant temperature becomes excessively high, the cruise control system will cancel automatically. . If the SET indicator on the vehicle information display blinks, turn the cruise control main switch off and have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer. . The SET indicator on the vehicle information display may blink when the cruise control main switch is turned ON while pushing the ACCEL/RES, COAST/SET or CANCEL switch. To properly set the cruise control system, perform the following procedures.

jepaul2438 wrote: ↑ Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:45 pm Problem solved!! Initial computer codes indicated the ECM replacement. Did that last week after getting the same code, slim chance that was it nor were we going to get another $1800 part. After two days at the dealer service center, the technician and I agreed it was one of three things; the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel making faulty connection, the clock spring possibly faulty, or the brake control switch. The easiest to get to was the switch on the pedal. Changed it, problem gone.

Post by Helium2 » Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:43 pm

Post by RCH » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:43 am

Helium2 wrote: ↑ Thu Sep 10, 2020 9:43 pm I jumped the connection to the brake control switch and nothing changed. It has not been feasible for me to replace / bypass anything else at this time so the problem remains.

Post by Rogue One » Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:47 am

Return to “Rogue Forum”

• General Chat
• Nissan Car Forums
•     NISMO
•     240SX Forums | 180SX Forums | Silvia Forums
•        240sx General Discussion
•        240SX Technical Forum
•        240SX Convertible Forum
•     Z-Car Forums
•        Z-Series News and Events
•        The NEW Z (RZ34)
•        350z / 370z Discussion
•        350z / 370z Technical
•        350z / 370z Classifieds
•        300ZX (Z32) General
•        300ZX (Z32) Technical
•        300ZX (Z32) Classifieds
•        300ZX (Z31) Forum
•     Altima Forum
•        Altima General Discussions
•        Altima Coupe (2008-2013)
•        1st Generation Altima Sedan (1993-1997)
•        2nd Generation Altima Sedan (1998-2001)
•        3rd Generation Altima Sedan (2002-2006)
•        4th Generation Altima Sedan (2007-2012)
•        5th Generation Altima Sedan (2013-2018)
•        6th Generation Altima Sedan (2019+)
•     Sentra Forum / Infiniti G20 Forum / Pulsar / NX Forum
•     Maxima Forum & I30 / I35 Forum
•     GTR Forum / Skyline Forum
•     Versa Forum
•        Versa General Chat
•        Versa Technical Discussions
•     Murano Forum
•     Rogue Forum
•     Cube Forum
•     Juke Forum | Qazana Forum
•     Kicks Forum
•     Ariya forum
•     Leaf Forum
•     Quest Forum
•     CSP311 Silvia
•     Pike Cars: Pao, Be-1, Figaro and S-Cargo
•     Others
• Infiniti Car Forums
•     G35 Forum, G37 Forum, G25 Forum, Q40 Forum
•        G35 and G37 General Discussions
•        G35 and G37 Engine, Drivetrain & Tuning
•        G35 and G37 Interior, Exterior and Audio
•        G35 and G37 Suspension, Brakes, Wheels and Tires
•        G37 Convertible Forum
•        G35 and G37 Modification database
•     Infiniti Q50 / Q60 Forum
•     Infiniti M35 and M45 Forum
•     Infiniti M37, M56, M35h Hybrid and Q70 Forum
•     Q45 Forum / Cima Forum
•     Infiniti Q30 Forum
•     J30 Forum / M30 Forum
•     VIP Forum

Datsun Forums

•     Datsun Chat
•     Datsun Z Forum
•     Datsun 510 / Bluebird
•     Datsun Roadster
•     Datsun 410 / 411
•     Other Datsun Cars
•     Datsun 320
•     Datsun 520 / 521
•     Datsun 620
•     Datsun 720
•     Datsun Classified Ads
•     Datsun / Nissan Patrol
• Nissan / Infiniti Truck, Crossover and SUV Forums
•     Nissan Trucks Forum
•        Nissan Truck Classifieds
•     Nissan Titan Forum
•     Nissan Pathfinder Forum / Infiniti QX4 Forum
•     Infiniti QX30 Forum
•     Infiniti EX35 / EX37 and QX50 / QX55 Forum
•     Infiniti JX35 / QX60 Forum
•     Infiniti FX35 / FX45 / FX37 / FX50 / QX70 Forum
•     Armada Forum / QX56 Forum / QX80 Forum
•     Nissan NV200 Forum
•     Engine Tuning
•     Nissan Tires, Wheels, Brakes and Suspension
•     Nissan Audio / Entertainment / Security
•     Interiors
•     Detailing Forum
•     Nissan Online Mechanic
•     Infiniti Online Mechanic
• NICO Marketplace
•     Advertisers' Marketplace!
•     Fabricators' Market
•     Nissan For Sale
•     Infiniti for Sale
•     Infiniti Parts For Sale
•     Nissan / Infiniti Wanted (WTB)
•     Electronics (for sale)
•     Exterior (for sale)
•     Wheels / Tires (for sale)
•     Brakes / Suspension (for sale)
•     Engine / Drivetrain (for sale)
•     Interior (for sale)
•     Complete Part-Outs
•     Other Vehicles For Sale
•     Non Car-Related Items For Sale
• Nissan Engines
•     SR20DET Forum (rear-drive)
•     SR20DE / SR20VE / SR20DET Forum (front drive)
•     KA24E / KA24DE Forum
•     KA24ET / KA24DET Forum
•     CA18DE / CA18DET Forum
•     VG30 / VE30 Forum
•     VQ30DE / VQ35DE / VQ35HR Forum
•     RB20DET / RB25DET / RB26DETT Forum
•     QR Series
•     VH45DE / VK45DE / VK56DE Forum
•     Hybrids

Nissan Motorsports

•     Nissan Road Racing / Auto X Forum
•     Nissan Drift Forum
•     Nissan Drag Racing Forum
•     Nissan Off-Road Racing
• No Parking Zone
•     Miata Madness
•     Gaming
•     The Sports Bar
•     Computers / Electronics
•     Science!
•     The Great Outdoors
•     Around the House
•     The Music Room
•     Politics Etc.
•     Test Forum
• NICO National Events
•     Past NICO Events
•     2017 NICOFest at the Dragon
• NICO Regional and International Forums
•     Northwest Region
•     California Region
•     Southwest Region
•     Midwest Region
•     Central Region
•     Southeast Region
•     Northeast Region
•     International Region
•     Nissan Charla General en Español
•     Ogólna Pogawędka w Języku Polskim
•     Infiniti Articles
•     Nissan Articles
•     Datsun Articles
•     240sx Articles
•     NICO Meet Articles

Nissan Forums

• 240sx / Silvia
• Maxima / I30 / I35
• 350Z / 370z
• Altima / Bluebird
• GTR / Skyline
• TheNissanPath.com (more Pathfinder)
• Frontier / Xterra / Titan
• Non-Nissan Cars

Infiniti Forums

• G35 / G37 / G25 / Q40
• M37 / M56 / Q70
• 240Z / 260Z / 280Z
• 510 / Bluebird
• Roadster / Fairlady
• Other Datsun Cars
• 320 Pickups
• 520 / 521 Pickups
• 620 Pickups
• 720 Pickups

Technical Forums

• Wheels / Tires / Suspension
• Audio and Security
• Detailing Forum

Classifieds / Marketplace

• Classified Ads
• Vendors / Marketplace
• Road Racing / Auto-X
• Drag Racing
• Off-Road Racing

General Forums

• Introductions / General Chat

NICOclub's Nissan forums and Infiniti forums and all affiliated sites are the property of HDS Holdings, Inc. They are independent publications and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan or Infiniti .

Information Copyright © 2000-2024 by NICOclub, all rights reserved. Material may not be copied or reprinted without written permission.

Privacy Policy

Subaru cruise control light is flashing. Possible causes

Have you ever noticed your Subaru’s cruise control light flashing? It can be quite disconcerting. Don’t worry, it’s probably nothing serious.

In this article, you’ll learn what could be causing the flashing light and how to fix it. We’ll also discuss some other issues related to cruise control, so you can be better prepared if something similar happens in the future.

Key Takeaways

• The flashing cruise control light in a Subaru could be caused by various issues such as a faulty brake switch, malfunctioning speed sensor, or blown fuse.
• Other potential causes include a failing brake pedal switch, traction control system issues, malfunctioning mechanical components, and failed control module, sensor, or switch issues.
• Throttle actuation problems and dirty or malfunctioning cameras (in the case of adaptive cruise control) can also lead to a flashing cruise control light.
• Before visiting a service center, there are a few solutions to try such as replacing the brake switch, replacing the gas cap, disconnecting the positive battery cable and stepping on the brake pedal, and using an OBDII reader for diagnostic information. However, if the issue persists, it is recommended to visit an authorized Subaru service center for professional diagnosis and repair.

A brief explanation of the issue

If you’re driving a Subaru with cruise control, you may have noticed that the light on the dashboard is flashing . The flashing cruise control light can be caused by a number of issues, including:

• A faulty brake switch
• An electrical fault in the vehicle
• A malfunctioning cruise control system
• A loose or faulty connection in the wiring harness.

Troubleshooting the issue requires an experienced mechanic to diagnose and repair.

Causes of Flashing Cruise Control Light

If your Subaru’s cruise control light is flashing, it may be due to a malfunctioning speed sensor. This sensor is responsible for detecting the speed of the vehicle and relaying that information to the cruise control system. If the sensor is not working properly, it can cause the cruise control light to flash.

Another potential cause of a flashing cruise control light is a blown fuse. The fuse that controls the cruise control system may have blown, preventing it from functioning properly. Checking and replacing the blown fuse can resolve this issue.

A failing brake pedal switch can also be a culprit behind a flashing cruise control light. The brake pedal switch is responsible for detecting when the brake pedal is depressed, which is necessary for the cruise control system to disengage.

If the switch is failing, it may not properly detect when the brake pedal is pressed, leading to a flashing cruise control light.

Lastly, an issue with the traction control system can cause the cruise control light to flash. The traction control system is closely linked to the cruise control system, and if there is a problem with the traction control system, it can trigger the cruise control light to flash.

It is important to note that these are just potential causes and that a proper diagnosis should be done by a qualified technician to accurately identify the issue and determine the appropriate solution.

Malfunctioning speed sensor

You’re likely noticing your Subaru’s cruise control light flashing because the speed sensor is malfunctioning. This could cause a variety of issues such as:

• Reduced fuel economy
• Poor acceleration
• Unstable speed control
• Erratic RPMs.

It’s best to have the speed sensor inspected and replaced if necessary to ensure your car runs smoothly and efficiently.

Another possible cause of the Subaru cruise control light flashing is a blown fuse. A blown fuse is a sign that the circuit is overloaded and can’t handle the current running through it. In this case, the cruise control system may be shorting out and the fuse must be replaced in order to fix the issue.

Failing brake pedal switch

If the brake pedal switch has failed, it can also be the cause of the Subaru’s cruise control light flashing. The brake pedal switch is a safety feature that helps the cruise control system recognize when the brakes are being applied.

A malfunctioning switch can cause the cruise control system to not work properly, resulting in the light flashing.

Regular inspections of the switch can help identify any problems before they become dangerous. Replacing the switch when necessary can help ensure the cruise control system is working correctly and the flashing light isn’t a cause for alarm.

Traction control system issues

Besides a failing brake pedal switch, another potential cause of the Subaru’s cruise control light flashing is a malfunctioning traction control system. Here are four common culprits:

• Faulty wheel speed sensors
• Worn control unit
• Low tire pressure
• Damaged brake pedal switch.

A malfunctioning traction control system can cause the cruise control light to flash, so it’s important to have it checked by a professional to ensure safe driving .

Malfunctioning mechanical components

Apart from a faulty brake pedal switch, malfunctioning mechanical components can also be responsible for your Subaru’s cruise control light flashing. This includes a problem with the throttle control motor, the cruise control switch, the brake light switch, the cruise control actuator, and the ECU.

Malfunctioning of any of these parts can lead to a flashing cruise control light, and it’s important to get the issue resolved quickly as it can adversely affect the performance of your vehicle.

Failed control module, sensor, or switch issues

Aside from the mechanical components, a failed control module, sensor, or switch can also cause your Subaru cruise control light to flash. If any of these components fail, the cruise control light will start to flash. Here are a few common sources of this issue:

• Electrical connections wearing away
• Corroded wiring
• Malfunctioning switches
• Burned out control module.

It’s important to have your car checked by a qualified mechanic to determine the exact cause of the flashing light.

Throttle actuation problems

Frequently, issues with throttle actuation can also be the culprit behind a Subaru’s flashing cruise control light. When the cruise control light is flashing, it usually means the throttle actuator is in need of service. It can be caused by a malfunctioning throttle position sensor , a bad throttle body, or a faulty electronic throttle control unit.

In any of these cases, the throttle needs to be repaired or replaced. Proper troubleshooting is essential to identify the source of the issue and to ensure a proper repair.

Dirty or malfunctioning cameras (adaptive cruise control)

Continuing on from issues with throttle actuation, dirty or malfunctioning cameras can also be a cause of Subaru’s flashing cruise control light. Reasons include:

• Obstructions blocking the camera’s view
• Damaged camera lens
• Malfunctioning of the camera’s hardware
• Problems with the car’s software.

Dirt, grime, and corrosion can also be factors in camera failure. Be sure to have a professional check the camera’s condition to avoid further issues.

Solutions for Flashing Cruise Control Light

If you’re having trouble with your Subaru’s flashing cruise control light, don’t worry. There are several solutions you can try to get your car back to normal.

• Hook up an OBDII reader to get valuable information.
• Visit the service center at your nearest authorized Subaru dealer.
• Check or replace the brake switch.
• Even disconnect the positive battery cable for 10 minutes and step on the brake pedal for a minute.

Hook up an OBDII reader to get valuable information

Once you’ve hooked up an OBDII reader to your Subaru, you can start to get some valuable information that can help you solve why the cruise control light is flashing. It can:

• Show any trouble codes
• Help you diagnose electrical problems
• Diagnose the engine light
• Provide you with data about your vehicle’s performance.

With this information, you can get a better idea of why your cruise control light is flashing and how to fix it.

Visit the service center at your nearest authorized Subaru dealer

If you’re still unsure what the issue is after hooking up an OBDII reader, then you may want to consider visiting the service center at your nearest authorized Subaru dealer.

The staff at the center have the expertise to diagnose and repair any issues with your vehicle, and they’ll be able to provide you with insight into why the cruise control light is flashing.

They may even be able to suggest a repair or adjustment that can resolve the issue.

Taking your car to the service center is the best way to get the right advice and a quality repair.

Check/replace brake switch

Carrying on from the previous suggestion, the next solution might be to check or replace the brake switch, as it can sometimes be the source of the cruise control light flashing.

To do this, here are 4 steps to follow:

• Find the brake switch and disconnect the wires.
• Check the continuity of the switch with a multimeter.
• If the switch is defective, replace it with a new one.
• Reconnect the wires to the switch and test the cruise control light.

Disconnect the positive battery cable for 10 minutes and step on the brake pedal for a minute

Once the gas cap has been replaced, another solution to try if the cruise control light is still flashing is to disconnect the positive battery cable for 10 minutes and step on the brake pedal for a minute.

To do this:

• Find the positive battery cable.
• Unhook the cable and wait 10 minutes.
• Re-connect the cable.
• Step on the brake pedal for a minute.

This should reset the cruise control light and get your Subaru back on the road.

Final Words

It is important to check why your Subaru’s cruise control light is flashing in order to avoid any potential issues.

Taking the time to diagnose the cause of the flashing light will ensure that your car runs smoothly and safely.

Importance of checking the issue

It’s essential to get your Subaru checked as soon as possible if the cruise control light is flashing. Ignoring the issue could potentially lead to a more serious problem, such as:

• A malfunction in the car’s braking system.
• Damage to the car’s electronic components.
• An unexpected increase in fuel consumption .
• Unintended acceleration.

If you notice the cruise control light flashing, don’t hesitate to take your car to the nearest mechanic. Failing to address the issue can have costly consequences.

Be sure to get your car checked out as soon as possible.

About The Author

Start typing and press enter to search

Subaru Cruise Control Light Flashing – Main Causes

Quick Navigation

Driving continuously without stopping to rest can drain your energy and even harm your car. But these problems have been solved for Subaru by introducing a cruise control system .

This system enables you to set the engine to a certain speed, thus saving you energy since you won’t have to hit the accelerator now and then.

It also warns you that specific components in the car have malfunctioned by producing a  flashing light .

But what exactly are these components that make the Subaru cruise control light start flashing? Let’s take a look!

Engine Control Unit

Are you using a Subaru 2005 or a newer model? If so, then you should pay attention to the light.

It is because these Subaru models are equipped with an engine control unit. This unit diagnoses problems in your car and relays them to you by sending a code.

This code is usually accompanied by a check engine light or flashing light from the cruise control system.

There are about 200 codes in these Subaru models, and each one of them indicates a certain level of problem in the car.

Therefore, the flashing light does not necessarily have to worry you since they are merely communicating an issue in the car, which may not be serious at all.

To fix the flashing light or check the engine light caused by an engine control unit, you will first check what the code means.

If the code implies a less severe issue that you can quickly fix, then do so and proceed to delete the code using an OBDII reader.

If the code indicates that your Subaru has a severe problem, then tow it to the mechanic, who will fix the issue.

Malfunctioned Speed Sensor

The cruise control system is linked to a speed sensor that controls how it functions. The sensor relays a signal to the control system to increase or reduce the car’s speed.

However, this sensor can malfunction, thus making the control system not register any of your commands.

It will be shown by the check engine light coming on or the Subaru cruise control light flashing.

The speed sensor is an essential component that needs immediate fixing when faulty. It is because an issue with this sensor can affect the functioning of the car’s speedometer.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to repair a damaged speed sensor: hence you will have to purchase and install a new one.

Faulty Fuse

Fuses safeguard the electrical components in a cruise control system. They act as shields that, when damaged, allow very little or no current to reach the control system.

It will make the cruise control light flash until the issue has been corrected.

Luckily, you can quickly fix the problem by replacing the damaged fuse.

However, if the lights continue flashing, it means that the issue is beyond the fuses, and you will have to check the other components in the cruise control system.

A Problem With The Solenoid Valves

Your car’s engine has solenoid valves that control the flow of fluids such as oil. It does so by providing the pressure that pumps the fluid.

These solenoid valves can malfunction due to low fluid or extreme electric current. They will cause the check engine to come on when faulty, making the cruise control light flash.

Try topping up the fluid to its correct amount to sort out this problem.

But if the solenoid valves have malfunctioned due to electric spikes, the only way to resolve the issue is by replacing the damaged components.

The Catalytic Converter Is Failing

The Subaru models have been designed to alert you whenever there is a problem with the powertrain system.

Therefore, a failing catalytic convertor usually makes the cruise control light flash. In most cases, this light is accompanied by a check engine light coming on.

Many things can make the catalytic converter fail. They include a failing fuel injector, wrong fuel mixture, a problem with the check valve, an issue with the oxygen sensor, etc.

So, it would be best to diagnose the exact problem first before deciding to replace or repair it.

An Issue With The Gas Cap

If the cruise control light is flashing and the check engine light is on, then the chances are high that your Subaru Forester has an issue with the gas gap.

The gas cap plays a vital role in the engine. For instance, it maintains pressure and holds the gas fumes in the fuel tank.

In most cases, the gas cap is loose, thus letting out the gas. It happens when you refuel the car and fail to tighten it correctly.

To know if the gas cap is causing the issue, try starting the car after refueling it while observing the check engine and cruise control lights.

If the check engine light comes on right away, it confirms that the gas cap is loose. You can then replace the gas cap with a new one.

A Problem With Plug Wires

A problem with plug wires can also make the check engine light come on and consequently cause a flashing light in the cruise control system.

The plug wires supply the spark plugs with voltage, which will, in turn, ignite the air and fuel in the combustion chamber, thus making the engine run.

Therefore, if the plug wires malfunction, the engine will supply low power to the Subaru car. The check engine will sense this problem and alert you by turning on its light.

If the flashing light or the check light is accompanied by reduced speed, it is more likely that the plug wires are faulty.

You can then check the plug wires to confirm that they are causing the issue. If your findings are positive, it would be best to replace them since worn plug wires are difficult to repair.

Faulty Battery

Even though the Subaru battery has been designed to last for a long time, specific mechanical issues can make it malfunction.

Also, as the battery gets old , the amount of voltage it supplies reduces. Therefore, if you are using an old model of Subaru, its battery may have gone faulty.

A faulty battery will cause the engine to misfire, making the check engine light come on and the cruise control system start flashing. Fortunately, it is easy to diagnose a faulty battery.

All you have to do is check if the battery can charge your phone. If your phone’s battery percentage does not go up, you have a bad battery that you should replace.

The cruise control and check engine light play an essential role in your Subaru. For instance, when the cruise control light starts flashing, it tells you there is an issue with your car.

Such problems may include a faulty battery, loose gas cap, damaged fuse, faulty brake pedal, etc. Therefore, it is vital to heed the two components to ensure that your car functions well.

It is possible that the issue causing the lights to come on is minor and can easily be fixed by simply following your Subaru manual. Hence, you can check it for a solution before visiting the mechanic.

With comprehensive experience in writing exceptional quality articles and blogs about cars and related stuff, Daniel is one of the finest bloggers and a hardcore car lover we have. He is an ASE certified technician with an across-the-board experience of 10 years in the industry. He could not help tinkering with anything he got his hands on from a young age, which led to his remarkable career in the automotive repair industry.

When he is not under any hood, you can find him on the water or in the woods to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He has been writing for multiple sectors and is a regular contributor to several publications.

He currently owns a Nissan 300ZX TT and a Pearl Yellow but plans to upgrade it to 550 HP. His favorites include the Koenigsegg CCX and Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT, but for him, the Ferrari 360 Spider is one of the sexiest cars that exists to date.

Being an avid world traveler, he has spent most of his time analyzing the automotive markets, latest technology, and local favorites to enhance his knowledge base. He is currently living in North Caroline, where it’s all about food and coffee and, of course, cars.

Related Posts:

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Model Specific Discussions
• 1st Gen (2003-2007)

Cruise Control Set Light Flashing

• Add to quote

Warhammer- According to the service manual that means either the engine coolant temperature is higher than normal (slow blink) or a malfunction in the cruise control system (fast blink). -njjoe  

Thanks Njjoe! Reliable as usual... Which section did you find that information?  

Warhammer said: Thanks Njjoe! Reliable as usual... Which section did you find that information? Click to expand...

njjoe said: Warhammer- According to the service manual that means either the engine coolant temperature is higher than normal (slow blink) or a malfunction in the cruise control system (fast blink). -njjoe Click to expand...

You learn something new everyday. You might want to check your coolant level.  

So when my coolant temp gauge was sky high last summer but my cruise control light was not flashing, does that mean my gauge was wrong?  

zebelkhan said: So when my coolant temp gauge was sky high last summer but my cruise control light was not flashing, does that mean my gauge was wrong? Click to expand...

Corin said: WTF? Leave it to Nissan to figure out that warning. "Hmmmm.... What can we do to alert the driver if the temperature is too high?" "Well, we could just flash the cruise control set light..." "Hey, that makes sense! Yeah, let's do that! That should be obvious to EVERYONE!" Click to expand...

I believe it was a fast blink. We'll see if it continues. Is the ASCD part of the ECU? I'm having difficulty finding a good picture of its location. It looks to me like the ASCD system consists of the ECU (brains), steering wheel switches, brake switch, and a speed monitor. So if something were wrong with the system, it could be any one of the switches or the ECU itself.  

Warhammer said: Is the ASCD part of the ECU? I'm having difficulty finding a good picture of its location. Click to expand...

I had this same problem and I replaced the controls on the steering wheel and it corrected the problem and it only took about 30 min to do.  

I have the same problem on my 2005 Murano. I noticed that most the time when I turn on my cruise control "SET" is blinking. I am going to try and replace the cruise control switch. Eclipse1825, you mentioned it took about 30 minutes, do you have any pictures or information on this process? Thanks!  

I know this is an old thread but i am having this issue on my 06, i know its not the coolant temp since the gauge is at normal and im only driving 15 miles at 60mph on my commute home, plus its a fast blinking of the SET light so its something to do with the Cruise control system....does anyone have any additional insight, i have an extended warranty through Nissan and searched for ASCD and all the components seem to be covered i just dont know if it means it will cover the steering controls or just the main system Thanks  

Last time this happened to me I was getting onto the highway and was already cruising at 70MPH. I usually get up to speed then set my cruise control on my MO. When I turned on the cruise control, I noticed the SET light flashing. So...I flipped the CVT into neutral, shut down the engine, waited about 3 seconds, turned on the motor, then engaged the CVT into drive. After that I did not have any issues to date. I did notice that it seemed like a momentary failure; i.e. would go away if I turned off and restarted the engine. It only happened to me a few times and I haven't seen it since. I'm thinking the ECM got into a funky state or something and threw the flashing SET light. Other than that...I have absolutely no clue what causes it.  

Warhammer said: ...So...I flipped the CVT into neutral, shut down the engine, waited about 3 seconds, turned on the motor, then engaged the CVT into drive... Click to expand...

Another possible fix for flashing "set" light... While out for a drive yesterday, I noticed that after one of my stops (cruise control had been working normally to that point) that I was getting the "quick" flashing of the cruise control "set" light on my '07 Murano when I tried to activate cruise. Restarting the engine at the next couple of stops didn't clear the problem, so I drove home and figured I'd take it to the dealer (I have the Nissan Gold extended warranty). But, after reading the posts here and inspecting for any debris or other obvious problems under the vehicle, I figured I'd try one more thing first. I disconnected the negative battery terminal for maybe 60 seconds, then reconnected. After resetting my radio stations and other preferences that were lost, I took a little drive and the cruise was working just fine. I'll have to keep my eyes open for any further problems... but it might be that the electronics just got a bit stupid and needed a "reboot". Dan  

I know this is an old thread, however it's a new problem for my 07 Murano. I tried Good ol Dan reboot to no success. I have no MIL light but still checked for any codes and came up empty. I found that the blinking SET light occurs after application of the brake pedal. I have operated the cruise using the speed control switches on the right side of the steering wheel. I have been able to set the cruise speed, cancel the cruise and re-establish a new speed with those controls. I'm able to accelerate the speed using the Accel switch, I can shutoff the cruise turn it back on and set a new speed without any disruption or blinking SET light. The only time I seem to get the blinking SET light is after stepping on the brake and trying to resume my selected speed with the Resume switch or the SET switch. OBD II Code P1564 calls out the ASCD Steering Switch, however I don't have a MIL light illuminated. If anyone has an update or solution for this problem I welcome your response. Thanks in advance.  

Fixed. Removed and replaced the clock spring, aka spiral cable.  

Say what? You replaced what. I have this same intermittent problem...  

• ?            
• 304.8K posts
• 52K members

Top Contributors this Month

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Gen 4: 2010-2014

Check Engine Light / Cruise Control Light / Brake Light....

• Add to quote

2013 Outback 3.6R Limited with the Backup Camera Screen Display. No Eyesight. Approximately 44,300 miles. My wife was driving the vehicle earlier this afternoon when the amber "Check Engine" message on the dashboard illuminated solid, the amber Cruise Control icon on the dashboard illuminated solid, and the red "Brake" message on the dashboard began flashing. She immediately called me from the road to report it. I had her pull over into a parking lot, shut down the ignition and remove the key for 60 seconds, and then restart the vehicle. No change in the dashboard display after doing so. She was about 15 miles from home so I told her to drive home carefully since the ABS may not be fully functioning. She arrived home safely without any further issues. I will allow the vehicle to sit overnight before I check it with my iCarsoft i903 scan tool tomorrow. During the nearly three years of our ownership, this is the first time the vehicle has turned on any warning lights. Is anyone familiar with this combination of warning lights? If so, what problem does it usually indicate? Thanks in advance for any assistance or direction you can provide.  

Vehicle is operating as designed. CEL = ALL the lights in most modern autos, trying to get people to pay attention. Find code, post or search here.  

Note: The amber Vehicle Dynamics Control icon on the dashboard is also illuminated solid.  

is that the VDC action light (the car with the slippery road). ? or the VDC off light ? (like its out of service and not going to save you)  

Update: I started the engine this morning to see if all dashboard warning lights from yesterday's incident would return. They indeed did. I shut the engine off and turned the key to the ACC ON position. I plugged in my iCarsoft i903 scan tool and scrolled through the various modules that it was able to communicate with. Here are the results: Engine: No DTCs. Transmission: No DTCs. Brakes: C0057 "VDC interrupted due to EGI reason." I successfully cleared the code. SRS: No DTCs. Tire Pressure System: No DTCs. Parking Brake: C0231 "ECM failure." I successfully cleared the code. I turned the ignition switch off, removed the key, disconnected my scan tool, then started the engine. All previous dashboard warning lights from yesterday's incident immediately illuminated again. I welcome your advice.  

^^ It is indeed "the car with the slippery road". Thanks for your interest. Any ideas?  

abs / speed sensor/ etc. is disconnected or damaged, baked or twisted. such would make the VDC want to work all the time trying to correct what does not need to be corrected.  

What were the weather conditions when she was driving? Wet? Did she go through a big puddle? I'm poking around in the FSM and it looks like both may be related to poor connections between ECM and the brake controller modules. You may need to lift the vehicle, remove the fuel tank protector (I think that's the large plastic shield back there, and locate the parking brake module. You'll see the parking brake wires going out to each wheel from the controller. Check the electrical connections and look for moisture and/or rust. I think that's where I would start....  

OBDad, Thanks for your input. The weather yesterday afternoon was dry. She does not recall splashing through any puddles. She did, however, cross over some railroad tracks not long before noticing all the dashboard warning lights. Not an excessively jarring railroad crossing (she says), in fact it is one that she has crossed over several times before in this vehicle during the past couple of weeks. Any idea exactly where the parking brake module is located, and what it looks like? I am all for putting the rear end up on jack stands and crawling underneath to see what I can find, but it always helps if I know exactly what I am looking for before I begin.  

Thanks for your additional input. I have a CD that I bought off of ebay a couple of years ago for about $15. It was advertised as the 2013 Legacy/Outback service manual. The primary problem with this CD is that it is not indexed or tabbed, so in order to use it I must scroll through more than 6,200 pages looking for the particular information I need. Sometimes I have been able to find what I am looking for, and sometimes not. But it always requires hours of page-by-page searching. I have had only a couple of minor issues with this vehicle since purchasing it in early November 2015 so I have not had much reason to utilize this CD (and given its extreme hassle factor, I am glad about that). Most of us here know that our vehicles are essentially rolling computers and without a strong and fully capable battery, it is quite common for a number of spurious and unrelated warnings and codes to be randomly thrown once the battery dips below the necessary voltage required to properly function (not just to start the engine, but to properly run all the vehicle's systems and modules). Because my vehicle (built in April 2013) still has its factory battery, I decided to put a CTEK charger on it and see if a proper charge will cause these warnings and codes to disappear. Probably a long shot, but you never know unless you try. I will report back once the CTEK has finished putting what I hope will be a full charge on my battery. In the meantime folks, please keep your ideas and suggestions coming. They are much appreciated.  

now is also a good time to check tire pressures, look / listen for stuck brakes and wheel bearings slowing the wheel speed on one or more corners. such may cause or exacerbate problems that you have.  

eagleeye, If you suspect a faulty wheel speed sensor or harness, why has the vehicle not thrown a faulty wheel speed sensor / harness code? I presume the wheel speed sensors are mounted somewhere on the hub carriers. Can anyone tell me exactly where? Once you jack up the vehicle and pull the wheels, are they immediately visible and obvious?  

never had one go bad on my car. so I am stuck reading / searching here. there was someone on here a few days ago with a bad one from some work done at a shop, and the 2nd shop with the aligment rack found a sensor put in wrong causing the car to think ONE of the front wheels was turned 90 degrees. making the VDC want to work work work. ____ is a EGI a ECU ?  

Not certain of course, but I doubt if EGI is another acronym for the ECU. And no shop has touched my vehicle since I had new tires mounted by my trusted Discount Tire shop in December 2016.  

Unfortunately, charging the battery with a CTEK unit (it reached 12.77 volts before the CTEK unit finished charging) had no impact on the dashboard warning messages and icons. So it appears that a failing factory battery is not the issue.  

Update: After an extremely helpful phone conversation with the service department at my local Subaru dealership this morning, they believe my issue is caused by a failing brake pedal switch. While they see more failures of this particular component in Foresters and Crosstreks, my symptoms (the combination of warning lights and messages) seem to point to that switch. What is most interesting is that my wife's 2006 Jaguar XK8 is now on its third brake pedal switch. It is a known issue on these cars and when they fail after about five years, the messages "Check Rear Lights" and "Cruise Not Available" begin to flash on the XK8 dashboard message screen. I was talking with one of my Jaguar forum buddies last night and he suggested that my Outback may be calling out its brake pedal switch as well. A new Outback brake pedal switch (part no. 83370AA001) is about $47 at my local dealership parts department. I think it is worth rolling the dice, replacing the switch, and seeing if that fixes my issue.  

Before you spend a lot of money, consider this. I had nearly the same thing happen to me suddnly last week when I was about 250 miles into a road trip. Cruise suddenly stopped working, CEL, AT (CVT) Temp warning and flashing brake light. I stopped and checked everything. Could find nothing wrong and no drivability problems, except no cruise control. Started back up, and still had all lights. Stopped again on a slight incline. Checked function of parking brake, and it functioned properly. Crawled under car and felt the transmission housing, and it didn't feel warm, checked wheel hups and axels, and found nothing warm. Started up again and AT Temp warning reset, but still had flashing brake, cruise light and CEL. Drove about another 30 miles after searching GPS and finding a Subaru Shop. Thought about gas cap. Stopped and removed gas cap, which seemed tight. Replaced gas cap and still had 3 lights. Drove another ten or so miles and made last turn before Subaru Shop, and then somewhere between 0.6 miles to destination and 0.2 miles to go, all lights went out. Stopped and talked to service writer, and before I got to the removed and replaced gas cap, she asked if I tried that. When I told her about the reset just befor I pulled in, she said it was probably fixed so just drive it. I just got back from my trip and another 900 miles with no lights or problems! Vehicle had never done this before. I guess it just needed to have the tank "burped"! Might not be your problem, but easy and cheap enough to check.  

Thanks for the information on burping the gas tank cap. I did that yesterday morning to no avail - all dashboard warning lights stayed on afterwards. I filled up the gas tank this morning, so that was yet another gas tank cap burp. Again, no change to the dashboard warning lights. I purchased a new brake pedal switch this afternoon. I plan to install it after the remnants of Hurricane Michael pass through our neck of the woods during the next couple of days. And the weather should be much cooler as well. I found a YouTube video of a guy replacing the brake pedal switch on a 2005 Impreza. It looks almost identical to the setup in my 2013 Outback 3.6R. As long as I can get my gorilla-sized hands up into the tight spaces underneath the drivers side dash where this switch is located, I should be able to do the job. I will report back on whether or not the new brake pedal switch indeed fixes my issue.  

Update: My next-door neighbor and I replaced the brake pedal switch last evening. It made no difference. All of the same dashboard warning lights and messages remained even after I cleared the OBDII codes again and took the vehicle for a test drive.  

Update: Diagnostics at the local dealership is scheduled for tomorrow morning. I will report back with the details. Other than a warranty claim regarding loose body side molding and a recall regarding the windshield wiper motor shield, this is the first dealership service requirement in nearly three years of ownership.  

Update: The Subaru dealership says that my passenger front air/fuel oxygen sensor (part no. 22641AA53A) has failed. They read a P0031 OBDII code although my iCarsoft i903 scan tool (specifically made for Subaru, Nissan, and Infiniti) did not. But I would not think that a simple oxygen sensor fault would light up all the various warning messages and icons on the dashboard. The dealership claims "that is to get your attention". What that really does is make diagnosis considerably more difficult, especially for us DIY guys. The dealership does not have the part in stock. It has been ordered and they will call me when it arrives to schedule its installation. The best news is that it is covered by the vehicle's 7-year / 70,000-mile emissions system warranty and the replacement part / labor will only cost me a $50 deductible. We shall see if this indeed fixes my issue when the part arrives early next week.  

My 3.6 went Christmas Tree on me a few months ago after a schedule service. All it was was a vacuum hose on the front of the engine had not been replaced..............  

Do you remember which vacuum hose was the culprit, and exactly where it was located?  

Directly behind the alternator and runs from a sensor into the front and center of the manifold. Hope that makes sense.  

Thanks for the information. I will try to remember that for future reference. I assume this particular vacuum hose was disconnected as part of the service performed on your vehicle and the tech did not reattach it securely so it eventually fell off, causing your dashboard to light up with warning messages.  

It is where they pumped Upper Cylinder Head Clear into the manifold.  

An air fuel oxygen sensor will definitely put the car in “limp mode” as the emissions system could be way out of spec and causing major pollution problems (although it is unlikely that the emissions were changed at all). If you look into the history of the engine trouble codes (engine warning light in the dashboard) you find that they were originally implemented to warn drivers of emission problems. Of course they now cover a huge variety of devices and symptoms and this is why we need a code reader to diagnose what the trouble code and reset any that are triggered. Seagrass  

Update: The new oxygen sensor arrived at the dealership yesterday. I have an appointment on Wednesday morning for the replacement job. Hopefully that will resolve all dashboard warning messages and icons. We shall see.  

Update: The new front air/fuel oxygen sensor was installed by the dealership this morning. It did indeed fix the issue, so all of the pesky dashboard warning messages and icons disappeared once the P0031 OBDII code was cleared. All is well, especially having to pay just $50 for the job.  

On the service manual software you mentioned. Control + F key gives a word search option.  

• ?            
• 197.6K members

Top Contributors this Month

Cruise Control Light Blinking

Hey guys, Ever just looked down at the dash and see your cruise control light blinking? I tried everything but it won't go off unless I kill the motor. Only

All About Flashing check engine light & Blinking cruise control light

Last updated on July 11th, 2023 at 04:47 pm

This article will answer all your questions on Check Engine Light, what flashing check engine light means and Blinking cruise control light and will discuss in detail all about flashing check engine light

Here are the highlight of subtopics relating to flash check engine light the will discussed:

• The truth about check engine light
• What to do when check engine light flashing
• what does flashing check engine light means
• How to Diagnose Flashing check engine light?

Why Is My Check Engine Light Flashing And Car Shaking

• What it means when check engine light flashing then stops (flashing check engine light then stops)
• What a Blinking Check Engine Light Mean

With the list above in mind let’s get right into each of them. Feel free to skip to the part you are having difficulty with.

Related Articles:

• Why is My Check Engine Light Flashing And Car Shaking
• How to Reset Check Engine Light Honda Accord 2013
• Can I Drive My Car With Engine Management Light On

What is a Check Engine Light? (The Truth about Flash check engine light )

Part of your car OBD (on-board diagnostic) system is a Flashing check engine light which is run by the electronic control module also referred to as ECM present in the car’s processor.

ECM controls the majority of the electrical system connections in resent modern cars. The ECM constantly scans for out of range operating parameters which is recounted by lots of other sensors and actuators.

The sensors and actuator are what sense a bad fuel injection, a misfire, irregular fuel pump activities and engine performance issue, etc.

When any of these are noticed, the first thing your car computer will try to correct itself and it couldn’t then your car computer will try to correct the issue.

If the car computer could not rectify the problem, the car OBD processor will then save a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) in memory which is what makes the check engine light to come on.

Usually, it could either be a still check engine light or a flashing check engine light

If it is a Flashing check engine light, then know it’s serious.

In this guide, you’ll find out what type of issues normally will turn on the check engine light, what it means when it flashes, how you can retrieve the trouble codes stored in your car’s computer, and how to go about deciphering those codes to help you fix your vehicle.

What could cause the check engine light to come on?

Your car engine computer performs two-trip monitoring and it usually takes two failures to account before the check engine light will then appear on in your car.

So there are mainly two kinds of checking that your engine computer does: continuous and non-continuous checking or monitoring.

On continuous monitoring, the computer systems present in your car are constantly observed and monitored whenever the engine is on.

The most common ones are engine misfire and engine timing concerns. If something goes wrong with the two, then there can be a serious failure.

When it comes to non-continuous monitoring, your vehicle’s engine computer will run the required tests when the conditions are right.

For example, when your engine computer runs the catalytic converter test, it has to conduct the test when the catalytic converter is at the ideal temperature.

Also, watch this video where Scotty discusses more on the truth about check engine light.

So what happens if you drive with your check engine light on?

Nothing really will happen while driving when the check engine light comes on. It all depends on the reason the light is on in the first place and whether the light is solid or its flashing.

The solid light just tells you that the ECU has faced something outside normal operating parameters in the car engine.

How long can you drive with check engine light on?

So you are driving and suddenly the check engine light appeared and then you start wondering how long can you drive with check engine light on?

The answer to this question will depend on whether the light is solid or not.

 If the car’s check engine light is solid, you will be able to drive the car for 160kilometres without any problem, but after then you might start experiencing issues.

This also depends on the type of code that is stored in the car’s computer. If it is a faulty engine sensor, the car typically will use made up sensor values to keep running for a while.

There will be a decline in fuel productivity and car performance, but you will be able to drive without trouble. It’s not an emergency, but you should still try to see your mechanic as soon as possible

Can You Drive with the Check Engine Light On?

 You will be able to drive your car If the car’s check engine light is still or solid, your only limitation is when the car is not running smoothly while the engine light is on. In this case, you have to stop driving it.

If it is flashing the even, try moving it all else this might lead to major costly problems that will cost you’re a lot of money.

car shaking check engine light blinking

What happens if you drive with your check engine light on

As stated above it depends on whether the check engine light is flashing or solid.

If the light is flashing, then it is an emergency and if it is solid you still can drive without causing more damage.

A solid check engine light shows that there is a stored error code in the computer system of the car.

This also indicates that there have been multiple records of the stored error that should be attended to by you or a trusted mechanic, but you can drive when it solid check engine light.

So basically nothing will happen if you drive with your check engine light on and solid.

Flash check engine light: So what does flashing check engine light mean?

When the check engine light is flashing, it simply shows that you are creating more damage to the vehicle while driving it in the current state.

Usually, the car manufacturers created the flashing check engine light to notify or warn you that the vehicle’s catalytic converters will be damaged and broken if you keep driving.

Driving in this condition can lead to a very expensive repair later, which may require a replacement of the catalytic converter of which the average cost is: $1,000 above.

Or even lead to replacing the entire engine which might cost anything around $4,000 or more.

There are so many other direct causes of this flash check engine light the video below will show you some more.

Watch this video to see them.

Flashing check engine light

What to do when: check engine light flashing then stops (flashing check engine light then stops)

Check engine light flashing when accelerating

when a check engine light is flashing while accelerating at the same time it is mostly a sign of an unclean and failing idle air control valve.

The idle air control valve reads out the air ingestion when it is mixed with fuel prior to being introduced into the engine at low speeds and at idle state.

The valve, on the other hand, is controlled by the car’s computer which usually modifies the idle speed based on so many other measurements like engine temperature, intake air temperature, and electrical system load or voltage.

So when you put the car on acceleration, the engine RPM rises, and when you let off the gas, the RPM gradually moves back to the normal idling speed.

If the engine RPM drops lower than the standard range (i.e. 750 – 800 RPM), it will in most cases cause the car engine to stall, signifying a dirty or faulty idle air control valve.

 I will recommend in this situation that you consult an expert mechanic you trust to look into it.

if you note a check engine light flashing and car shaking it is highly possible you might be having an ignition-related problem.  Which is really bad and has started damaging the catalytic converters already.

Normally car engine requires 3 things to run smoothly which includes: air, spark, and fuel.

If the car is flashing and shaking, it is most likely that the sparks are not happening.

It could also be the sparks are happening at intermittently or the wrong time.

It is less possible that a stutter in combustion pulses is caused by air or fuel problem.

Anyway, if you can, take it to an Auto-Zone or Pep-Boys (in the US) and ask them to scan your OBD II for any stored diagnostic codes. then you can look the codes up, on the internet.

If it is ignition related e.g. “misfire in cylinder #13″ (your car has a VW W18 18-cylinder engine in it, no?

Start by narrowing down the probabilities by switching out components.

If your car has one coil with a distributor (electronic or mechanical), try swapping spark plug from the faulty cylinder with the spark plug from another cylinder and see if you get a different code.

If the engine has one coil per cylinder (a “coil pack” that sits atop the spark plug), try exchanging the entire coil pack and spark plug unit with an alternative cylinder.

check engine light flashing then stops

Check engine light flashing then stops (If flashing check engine light then stops)

If you have read this article the beginning to this point, then you should have known that when driving your car, it runs series of test on own when it notices any problem it then stores an error code in the memory.

This is when it turns on the check engine light in the first place, but that doesn’t stop there,

The car computer after turning the check light will still continue to run a series of more text to ascertain the condition of the car.

And when the check engine light stops flashing that means that it could dictate further problem.

Don’t get his wrong this could also mean worse.

Maybe severe damage has occurred of which you need to be looking out for other signs in the car.

Like sound, smooth rid, etc.

Car Shaking Check Engine Light Blinking

What does a blinking check engine light mean.

A blinking check engine light means that your car computer control system has encountered or discovered an issue the system on its own cannot handle or resolve.

This makes the computer to store a trouble code in the memory and then triggers the check engine light to come on.

The stored code’s main purpose is to ascertain the cause of the problem.

So to read this code and understand the problem, you will be needing a diagnostic computer or an electronic scan tool. Commonly called an OBD2 scanners

There are also numerous inexpensive code readers in the market for your DIYs.

The one I most recommend is here on Amazon

Usually, the code will only show you the issue, but you will have to meet an expert to do a complete diagnosis and repair.

Check engine light blinking (engine light flashing)

 A blinking check engine light is a major issue and it important you conduct a proper diagnosis to find out what the exact issue is.

And to carry out this diagnosis you will need an OBD2 scanner to do this at home yourself if you do not want to go to a dealer or shop and pay huge for them to scam and get the code so you know what to do next.

You can find a good OBD2 scanner on Amazon.

When you have got yourself a scanner the then watch above to see how you can use it to diagnose and fix the problem.

So if you are wondering: Can I drive my car with the check engine light blinking?

Well, my honest answer is no you cannot drive the car if the check engine light is blinking.

A blinking engine light means there is an emergency and immediate action is needed.

You have to either take your car to the shop, seek help or try to diagnosis the problem at yourself. Using an OBD2 scanner .

Blinking cruise control light.

A blinking cruise control light is due to the fact that Subaru has built most of its cars to turn on the cruise control light whenever there is an issue with the power train system.

This prevents and stops you from using cruise control if there is a problem.

If you notice a catalytic converter code, then know that it could be due to a failure in the converter or there could be an issue with an oxygen sensor.

Majority of the time this happens due to the converter, but try also check the oxygen sensor readings first That could also be another cause for a blinking cruise control light

Watch this video also to learn more.

Check engine light cruise control flashing Subaru legacy

You are likely to experience a check engine light cruise control flashing Subaru legacy light if one or more of your car fuse is blown.

This can happen when you change a new battery or installed a new battery. In most case it advisable that you pull you out the 7.5 arm fuse before any battery installation.

To rectify or stop the check engine light cruise control flashing Subaru legacy, you have to replace the blown fuse and it will solve the problem.

Watch below video to see affected fuse.

Concluding on flash check engine light

 If you are faced with a blinking, flash or a flashing check engine light, it simply means a major issue has taken place within your car engine which could most likely lead a serious problem such as a misfire.

  It is totally not recommended you drive your car at all when the check engine light flashing but you can drive some kilometers if the check engine light is solid while you look for a solution and run a proper diagnosis with an OBD2 scanner later on.

You can scan your car at home yourself or better still go to the shop for scan and repair/check which is a little on the high side.

You can get a scanner for cheat on Amazon to see my recommendation here .

If you have any other questions about a flashing check engine light or want to share your story of how you fixed it, comment down below.

Don’t forget to share this article to help others who will need the information. Be sure to look through AutoVfix.com for more helpful articles about your car.

Related Posts

Get, Reset & Clear Subaru Check Engine Light Codes without Scanner or Disconnecting Battery.

3 Best Portable Car Vacuum Cleaners (2023 Guide)

5 Causes Of Hard To Turn Steering Wheel + Solution To Stiff Steering Wheel

How to Find a Power Steering Leak Symptoms + Home Remedies for Power Steering Leak

How to Program a Transponder Key Without Original+ Transponder Key Bypass Kit

How To Clean Headlights with WD40, Toothpaste, Baking Soda& Vinegar

Can You Use Brake Fluid for Power Steering Fluid?

BMW Cylinder Misfire Causes and Solution| BMW Cylinder Misfire

Seafoam Reviews: The Truth About Seafoam (All You Need to Know)

Blown Head Gasket Diagnosis, Symptoms and Preventive Measures

Fix a Mercedes Benz Gear Shift Stuck in Park Problem (Mercedes Shift Lock Release

BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer Reviews+Tips & Directions

Did you enjoy this Post? Spread the word by sharing it!