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Topic: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem (Read 361 times) previous topic - next topic
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2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Started up the Subaru  today to find the check engine light and traction control light staying on. The cruise control and gas idiot light flashing and the gas gauge showing empty when it was half full yesterday. The speedometer and tach both work normally. I disconnected the battery to try a reset which didn't work.

I wondered about a fuse but didn't see any fuse in the list that has anything to do with the instrument panel. The only two that made no sense I pulled and they were fine.

We are parked at McDowell County Park near Fountain Hills, AZ. I found two fresh droppings from rodent poop and what appeared to be their tiny evil footprints in the dust in the engine. Looking as best I can in, under and around the engine I didn't see any obvious damage to wiring. No signs of rodent damage to the air filter.

The engine starts and runs normally and drives normally although I basically only took it around the block.

Any ideas?

Right now the plan is to attempt to drive it to the Subaru dealer on Monday morning.

Jim
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #2 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
You could also try posting this question on the Subaru forums. You need to join to do so:

All Other Subaru Models - Subaru Outback - Subaru Outback Forums

Good luck!

Thanks, I did that at the same time. I posted here as a long shot given that a few have Subarus and they take them camping.

Jim
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Jim & Gayle  - 
Started up the Subaru  today to find the check engine light and traction control light staying on. The cruise control and gas idiot light flashing and the gas gauge showing empty when it was half full yesterday. The speedometer and tach both work normally. I disconnected the battery to try a reset which didn't work.
Since the Check Engine Light is on, can you pull the code?
Can't think of any failing part that would cause a wide range of effects to occur at once.  It sounds like a problem in the BUS the computer uses to communicate with the various sensors and devices under the hood and throughout the car.
Would be looking for a damaged wire, probably caused your friendly rodent, or a dirty plug.
I have seen similar problems before and they have been traced to a bad plug or bad ground.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #4 –
It's generally safe to drive with the CEL on solid (probably not safe if it is flashing), provided the car is driving normally.

That solid light usually means it has set one or more codes. If you don't have a way to read the codes you might drive to one of the chain auto parts stores, which will usually read the codes free of charge. That would give you some clues as to what is wrong and whether it is safe to continue to operate the car, for example to get it to a shop which can track down and repair the problem. If the problem is just with systems such as cruise or traction control that shouldn't prevent driving.

FWIW I had a problem with a Mercury Sable that wouldn't shift, as I recall, beyond second gear. This car spent a lot of time sitting in an area where there turned out to be rodents. They had eaten some wiring that caused the transmission speed sensor to be inoperative. A transmission shop found the problem quickly and fixed it easily. I hope the same for you.

Terry
2003 26.5' RB
Gardnerville, NV
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #5 –
We had extensive rodent damage a few years ago in our stored off-site Lazy Daze, but even with our daily driver that sits on our concrete driveway in front of our house where there is no "brushery", we had minor damage - a bit of rumbly sounds and jerking about.  Oddly enough, our Sportsmobile campervan, which sits in the carport on concrete has sustained no damage in the same time frame.  So go figure.
So your mystery problem may very well be the start of something big if not caught.
As an aside, the sedan sustained this "rodent damage" twice within a short period of time.  The shop said that they got a different kind of wiring to fix it the second time, so maybe it was less attractive to rodents.  We have had no additional problems in about two years.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #6 –
Google search for

subaru traction control light flashing fuel light flashing check engine light

turns up quite a few hits, which do indicate you need to get the code pulled.  Here's one specific to your Forester

('09-'13) Fuel light, Cruise light blinking, Check engine light on? - Subaru...

One video that showed up in the search results indicated it could be as simple as the gasket on the gas cap, too.
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #7 –
Traction Control Light on my 2002 Toyota Sequoia turned off after I replaced the gas cap. Cheap fix from Rock Auto although I may purchase an OEM cap as I've heard that after market caps can fail.

I mentioned in a similar post that my Traction Contol Light  was my ABS system but have recently seen the error in my post.

Not sure it the gas cap replacement will work in this situation. Simply removing the cap and cleaning the mating surfaces may give brief relief as it did for me until I finally replaced the cap.

Hard to say. Best of luck.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #8 –
Appreciate all the comments. Michelle, the link you provided showed one person with virtually identical issues. The one positive comment was that it should be OK to drive it which I will be doing in the morning.

I have checked the gas cap and see nothing wrong there. Based on what I have read I plan on making my appt with Subaru in the morning and see what happens.

Jim
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #9 –
Just thought I would update. The dealer says the problem is the fuel sender unit which was mentioned in the link that Michelle posted. According to the service manager rodents couldn't have caused this. Safe to drive but have to guess at the fuel level as they won't have parts in till Wed or Thurs.

For only $800 should be good as almost new.

Thanks again, for the suggestions.

Jim
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #10 –
" have to guess at the fuel level "

Had an old beater Ford when I was a kid. The gas gauge didn't work. I had a piece of bamboo i poked down the gas tank fill to estimate how much gas I had.
If you want to save $800, get a piece of bamboo.  ;)
Ed
 
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #11 –
"The gas gauge didn't work. I had a piece of bamboo..."

My Dad had a '31 Model 'A' Roadster with the fuel fill just forward of the windshield. After a few beers and while I was sitting in the passenger seat, he would check the gas level using the light from a burning wooden match.  :o   For his part it was stupidity, for mine it was ignorance.  :-X
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"The gas gauge didn't work. I had a piece of bamboo..."

My Dad had a '31 Model 'A' Roadster with the fuel fill just forward of the windshield. After a few beers and while I was sitting in the passenger seat, he would check the gas level using the light from a burning wooden match.  :o   For his part it was stupidity, for mine it was ignorance.  :-X

But did he say, "here, hold my beer"?

Jim
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #13 –
My 54 MGTF never had a fuel gage.  I would pop the fuel cap, step on and off the rear bumper to listen to the sloshing gas.
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #14 –
Motorcycles often lack a fuel gauge so a common practice among motorcyclists is to reset the trip odometer to zero when filling the tank. Use a conservative number for fuel mileage, say 20mpg in your case, and multiply by the fuel tank capacity, say 15 gallons. Your range is then about 300 miles. Fill the tank at about 3/4 of that, maybe 225 miles. Out of habit I do this on all our vehicles at every fill up. You really don't need a fuel gauge.

Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #15 –
This is the only gauge I need!  :D
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #16 –
"But did he say, "here, hold my beer"?"

Naw, there wasn't any place to put a beer... even the floor boards were so worn out there were large holes where you could see the road go by underneath.

After hitting a skunk one night and a good case of carbon monoxide poisoning I fixed that with a sheet of ¾" plywood and a saber saw.  ;D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #17 –
Quote from: Terry Burnes  - 
Motorcycles often lack a fuel gauge so a common practice among motorcyclists is to reset the trip odometer to zero when filling the tank. Use a conservative number for fuel mileage, say 20mpg in your case, and multiply by the fuel tank capacity, say 15 gallons. Your range is then about 300 miles. Fill the tank at about 3/4 of that, maybe 225 miles. Out of habit I do this on all our vehicles at every fill up. You really don't need a fuel gauge.

Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV

Yeah, I reset the trip odo when I left the dealer earlier.

Jim
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #18 –
Sorry to hear about your subie troubles, we're a 2 subie family and haven't experienced that problem yet. I do have experience in the failure to tighten gas cap error code, at least on my outback it's a solid check engine light plus flashing cruise control light and it will happen as you hit 1/2 tank. Tightening the cap won't clear the code you have to get it reset. I've done it twice now....
98 MB
Re: 2011 Subaru Forester Problem
Reply #19 –
Back in '83 I had a '70 Pontiac Safari Wagon my old boss sold me for $250. The gas gauge worked fine, but there was a hole in the gas tank so it always read empty. It would go a couple of blocks on each fill directly into the carburetor. I eventually got the gas tank replaced, then unfortunately a guy ran a red light and t-boned it.

fu
2015TK
fu
2015TK