[oldman916]

I have a 2001 Forester and after changing the battery today, I have a security light in the center of the dashboard that is constantly blinking after turning off the engine and removing the key. I saw similar issues posted in your forum, however my key fob is older than those shown and my manual does not seem to list a way to stop the blinking. Can someone easy my mind on how to stop it. I don't want to have more battery issues from the constant blinking of the light when the car is not in use. I have owned the car for 5 years and never seen this light before. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

I see this is your first forum post, so welcome to the forum from Oregon! :biggrin:

Any chance you have an aftermarket security system installed?

Is your remote fob pictured below?

I did find this... should be in your Owner's Manual:

Valet mode or alarm off: alarm light (red dot center dashboard display) rapidly flashing 3 times means the alarm is in "Valet" mode and is not settable. The light will stop flashing when you start the car.

To set valet mode or just to disable the security alarm system: 1. unlock all doors 2. physically open the driver's door 3. hold the UNLOCK button on remote for 2+ seconds or so. The red 'security' light will then flash 2 times a second until the car is turned on.

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[oldman916]

Thank you Bobby for the welcome and your answer. Yes one of the fobs is similar. I will try this after church today when everyone is awake, since the horn will probably go off when I hold down the unlock button. will let you know if this works.

If I just leave the light flashing, will it effect the battery life any? I am not mechanically inclined and don't wish to get up stranded somewhere with a dead battery. Thanks for the help.

 

[logman]

hello i had same problem a week ago, and it was a 30 amp fuse in the main fuse box engine bay,2001 forester.

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

@oldman916 assuming your problem is not as @logman noted above in his post.

If I just leave the light flashing, will it effect the battery life any? I am not mechanically inclined and don't wish to get up stranded somewhere with a dead battery. Thanks for the help.

If it's the "security Indicator Light" that's flashing, that's an LED & not an incandescent bulb, so it's not going to consume much power from the battery.

Is that blinking light flashing twice per second? If so, you are in valet mode.

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[oldman916]

security light

2x5x_Sleeper - Yes it is blinking 2x/second. I tried the instructions you gave, but it did not seem to work. I will try again tomorrow when everyone else is at work and I don't get strange looks for the horn going off. I did not have all the doors unlocked. Will this restore the lights going off when you engage the lock button? Right now I have to be near the car to hear locks engage. I used to have the lights flash when the lock was engaged, but never a horn sound. Sorry for so many questions. Like I said, I am not mechanically inclined. Thanks, Cheryl

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

Look in your in your Owner's Manual, that will have instructions specific to your Forester. :wink:

You can also look here: cars101.com - Alpine System, 1999-2004

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]