Subaru Brake Light Flashing And Check Engine Light On: Troubleshooting Tips
If your Subaru brake light is flashing and the check engine light came on at the same time, you may be confused about what all this means and what to do about it. This guide will give you the best solution to this challenging situation.
Subaru brake light flashing and check engine light on indicates that your vehicle has an underlying issue that requires your immediate action. The most possible causes for these lights to come include a malfunctioning brake system, malfunctioning ABS (anti-lock braking system), or engine-related problems
In this article, we have discussed more details about your vehicle brake light flashing and check engine light illuminating simultaneously. We will discuss the potential causes of this issue, what to do about it, and how to clear the warning lights.
Subaru brake light flashing and check engine light on causes
If your Subaru brake light starts flashing and at the same time the check engine light comes on, this is an indication that your car has developed some underlying problems that need to be fixed.
Below, we have discussed some of the most common causes of a flashing brake light and a check engine light in your Subaru vehicle:
Faulty brake system
The brake light lashing could be an indication of a problem with your Subaru brake system.
This could be something to do with brake fluid level, faulty brake sensor, or even an issue with the brake rotors or pads such as overheating pads.
We recommend resolving any faults related to your vehicle brake system to ensure safe operation.
Malfunctioning ABS (anti-lock braking system)
Your Subaru vehicle comes with ABS system responsible for keeping the wheels from locking up when braking.
However, if this system develops a fault, it can easily trigger the brake light as well as the check engine light.
Some common issues with the ABS system include malfunctioning ABS modules, faulty ABS sensors, or wiring problems.
Engine problems
Another likely reason behind the brake light and check engine light flashing is a problem with our car engine.
Issues such as engine misfires fuel system issues, malfunctioning oxygen sensors, etc., will make the check engine light come on.
Severe engine issues may also impact your vehicle’s overall performance, including the braking system, thus causing the brake light to start blinking as well.
What to do if Subaru brake light flashes and check engine light on
If your Subaru brake light flashes and check engine light comes on, we advise you to have it diagnosed to find out the specific cause of this problem.
Many causes could be behind the two lights illuminating. Luckily, you can do some of the fixes on your own at home. However, others, e.g. serious brake issues, will require you to take in your vehicle for diagnosis by an experienced auto mechanic.
Ignoring these warning lights could lead to more damage to your car and even compromise your driving safety.
Below, we have offered some suggestions on what to do if your Subaru brake light comes on:
Take your car in for inspection
Probably the easiest way to deal with the issue of the two lights illuminating is to take your Subaru to your local reputable Subaru mechanic for diagnosis.
Since such a mechanic has expertise in Subaru repair, they’re likely to give you a quick answer and solution to your vehicle issue.
Check the brake fluid
Leaking brake fluid is one of the most common causes of flashing brake lights in Subaru, so it’s advisable to check your brake fluid levels.
This is as simple as popping up the hood and insect the fluid reservoir. If the fluid level is low, get it topped up to the recommended level.
Inspect your car sensors
You’ll also need to check if your scanners are in good condition as they could also trigger the lights to come on. A car diagnostic scanner can easily pull error codes stored in your vehicle computer.
After analysis of these codes, you should be able to tell if there are any malfunctioning sensors that need to be replaced.
Inspect your brake components
Check the various brake components such as brake rotors and pads for signs of damage or wear. In case you have any worn out components, have them replaced by a reputable auto mechanic.
You can also visually inspect the ABS for any issues with sensors and wiring. If you notice any issues with the braking system, we advise you to have them fixed by a qualified mechanic.
Dealing with the check engine light
The check engine light illuminating could indicate an engine-related issue that indirectly affects your car braking system.
Therefore, we advise you to use an onboard diagnostic tool to pull any error codes that triggered the CEL (check engine light) to come on.
If you do not have the scanning tool, you can take your car to a Subaru service center or reputable auto mechanic to do the diagnostic scan for you and identify the cause of the CEL.
Can you drive Subaru with brake light flashing and check engine light on?
You can still drive your Subaru with brake light flashing and check engine light on. However, we do not recommend driving your car with these lights illuminating as they usually indicate underlying issues that require your attention.
For instance, the brake light flashing suggests that the braking system has issues like low brake fluid, malfunctioning brake sensors, or worn brake pads. If you drive your car with a compromised brake system, it can be hard to slow down and stop effectively, increasing the risk of accidents.
The lights could also be illuminating due to a faulty ABS system. In this case, your ability to maintain your car control in an emergency braking situation can be greatly affected. This can further comprise your safety and that of other road users.
If your car has engine-related problems that caused the lights to come on, continuing to drive your car can lead to further engine damage. Therefore, it is wiser to avoid driving your car until you have it diagnosed and find out what causing the issue, and have it resolved.
How to clear Subaru brake light and check engine light
The best way to clear Subaru brake light and check engine light is to address the issue that caused the lights to illuminate.
Simply clearing the two lights without resolving the underlying issue isn’t recommended, as it will only lead to recurring safety issues.
Here are key steps for clearing the Subaru warning lights:
Step 1. Scan your car for trouble codes
You can do this on your own or you can take your car to an auto mechanic to have them run a diagnostic scan to retrieve any error codes stored in your car’s onboard computer. These codes will then help provide clues on what caused the two lights to come on.
Step 2. Look up the codes
After pulling the codes, you can then look them up on Google to determine what they mean and thus understand what repairs/maintenance is required for your car. Depending on the codes pulled, this could be anything to do with low brake fluid, engine misfires, sensor malfunctions, worn brake parts, etc.
Step 3. Repairs
Now that you know the cause of the warning lights, you should get down to fix them. Some of the fixes are pretty easy DIY tasks while others require you to take in your car. If you are not comfortable doing any of the easy fixes on your own, just take your car to a qualified auto mechanic to have them do it for you.
Step 4. Clear the warning lights
Having completed all the necessary repairs, it is now time to clear the error codes stored in your vehicle computer using the scanning tool. This will promptly clear the brake light and check engine lights.
Subaru check engine light on brake and cruise control flashing causes
Sometimes the cruise control light may come on at the same time the check engine light and brake light are on. This usually indicates an issue with your vehicle brake system.
As you may already know, the check engine light comes on when your car computer detects an issue with the emissions control system or engine.
Flashing brake and cruise control lights, on the other hand, indicate a faulty stability control system, which directly affects your car’s cruise control and brake functions.
Some possible reasons behind these lights flashing include braking system issues, sensor malfunctions, engine misfires, or electronic control module problems. However, it can be hard to find out the exact cause without running a proper diagnostic test on your vehicle.
When all these three lights are flashing, it is advisable to stop operating your car and have it diagnosed and the issue resolved.
If you’re facing a Subaru brake light flashing and check engine light on issue, you may also find our article on how to reset brake light on BMW helpful. This article provides step-by-step instructions to reset the brake light on a BMW vehicle. Additionally, if you’re experiencing a situation where the brake light doesn’t work when headlights are on, our article on brake light doesn’t work when headlights are on offers insights and potential solutions to resolve this issue.FAQs:
Why is my Subaru Outback brake light flashing and check engine light on?
Your Subaru Outback brake light flashing and check engine light on could indicate underlying issues with the braking system. In this case, we advise you to take your car for diagnosis by a qualified auto mechanic to find out the underlying issue and resolve it.
Can Subaru brake problems cause check engine light to come on?
Yes, brake problems in your vehicle can cause the check engine light to come on. Such problems include low brake fluid, faulty ABS system, worn brake components, faulty brake fluid level sensor, etc.
Conclusion
Your Subaru brake light flashing and check engine light coming on could mean many things. The most common causes include a faulty brake system, malfunctioning ABS system, or engine-related problems that affect the braking system. Generally, these warning lights indicate an underlying issue with your car braking system, so it is important to take your car for inspection.
We recommend having a qualified auto mechanic or authorized Subaru service center inspect your car. The professional will easily find out the underlying issue, resolve it, and hopefully clear these lights. Remember, continuing to drive your car with these lights on isn’t recommended as it can lead to further damage to your car and comprise your safety.