Its in "Valet" mode.

Open the driver door, push the unlock button twice. It should reset to normal.

 

No kidding. How the **** did it get there in the 1st place?? Engine on or off, or does it matter?

 

Just tried it. No change.

 

does your car have OEM security and key fobs?
keep trying. - dig around in your manual or at cars101.com - most likely in Valet mode as suggested. I think it can happene accidentally with a certain key fob sequence.

 

key fob



I believe that my fob battery is getting weak and I could very well have done it to myself. Sometimes I will unlock the doors with the fob and my taillights do not blink. I disabled the stupid weenie-sounding horn confirmation long ago, but the lights remain a mystery.

 

From the 2nd Gen Legacy Outback manual:


Valet mode
When you choose the valet mode, the security system does not operate.
In valet mode, the remote transmitter is used only for locking and
unlocking the doors (and rear gate on the station wagon) and panic
activation.
To enter the valet mode, open the driver’s door and keep the
“UNLOCK/DISARM” button depressed for more than two seconds.
The indicator light repeatedly flashes two times while the system is in
valet mode.
To exit valet mode, open the driver’s door and keep the “UNLOCK/
DISARM” button pressed for more than two seconds. The indicator
will stop flashing.

 

security light




Thanks David, you're the man! No more blinking security light

 

I knew there was a "2" in there somewhere.

 

little problems



Yep...(2) it was. Just 2 of the same process with the key fob instead of manually working the lock.

 

Bye-bye Valet Mode

I just got another LL Bean, a 2003. Accidentally entered valet mode - unable to escape. The car came with a replacement key fob, the black and white teardrop type. I grabbed the correct colored fob from the 2002 LL Bean. Went to the 2003 just now and programmed it with the key on/off routine with my *foot on the brake*.

After a successful programming, opened the drivers door, pressed the unlock button on the colored fob two times and BINGO! The flashing SECURITY light stopped! Much rejoicing.

Nothing else worked...

 

OK, my turn for strange crap.

My dome fuse blew. Happened last week, just no backup pwr to radio and clock, and radio didn't work (expected).

Happened again, now the security light is on for a flash, then off for a longer duration, then flashes... with the car running

And, the cruise control switch light comes on, cruise works for a few seconds, then stops working and does not work again until cycling the key.

I really need that cruise control tomorrow...

 

Have you checked the fuses again? Check numbers 9 and 18 in the cabin and number 31 in the engine bay fuse box. Do you have any accessories in the 12 volt outlets? Like navigation device, etc.? Use a multimeter to check continuity if you have one. Visual inspection is not always accurate.

Any CEL?

 

No, no CEL or such, I think the system just got confused because it couldn't tell if the doors were open or shut. I think the fuse blew while the doors were open.

 

Anyone know how to disable the blinking light on a GEN 4?

That light is quite aggravating if you sleep in the car. I've got a washcloth to put in front of it next time but if I could just disable it so much the better.

 

Resolution, maybe

I tried something I read on cars101.com.

I got into the car and closed the doors, waited until the initial dash lights settled down,

then I held my finger on the lock/unlock button, holding it down in the unlock position, as I

inserted the key into the ignition switch and turned it to the On position, still holding down the button, then quickly, before one second passed, opened the door, still holding down the button until I heard the horn honk, then I let go of the button.

After that, it no longer blinked the way it had been (rapidly), except right after I would get out, close the door and lock the car with the fob, setting the alarm, after which, for a half minute it would blink repeatedly, then settle into a double blink every few seconds.

I tested the alarm by not turning off the alarm with the fob then opening the door with the key, at which time, the alarm sounded.

I notice now that, if I get out and close the doors and do not set the alarm, the security light does a single blink every few second.

Now, I guess, if this is resolved, I can tell by looking at the security indicator on the dash if the alarm is set (doulbe blinky) or not set (single blinky). Maybe, I'm still looking into it.

 

2000 LL Bean Outback Found one of the old style fobs with the big and little buttons. Holding the unlock button for more than two seconds with the driver door open disabled valet mode and re-enabled alarm. New style tear drop fob did not work. Unlock button did not work. Disconnecting battery w/ brake light did not work. Possibly have something to do with the newer style fob electronics? or possibly the order in which the fobs were programmed in with the key on/off routine?

 

I know this post is older than probably 3/4 of the member’s vehicles but just in case someone, like me, is looking this up later and has the black and white teardrop style fob I disabled my valet mode super quick flashy security light issue today but following pretty much the same procedure as the square fob except instead of holding unlock with the driver door open I held the hatch release button for 2 seconds with the driver door open. Worked like a charm however I was too excited to see if it would put it in valet mode if I repeated the process. Also, I didn’t want to test my luck haha.

 

From the 2nd Gen Legacy Outback manual: Valet mode When you choose the valet mode, the security system does not operate. In valet mode, the remote transmitter is used only for locking and unlocking the doors (and rear gate on the station wagon) and panic activation. To enter the valet mode, open the driver’s door and keep the “UNLOCK/DISARM” button depressed for more than two seconds. The indicator light repeatedly flashes two times while the system is in valet mode. To exit valet mode, open the driver’s door and keep the “UNLOCK/ DISARM” button pressed for more than two seconds. The indicator will stop flashing.

 

After figuring out just hold the unlock for two seconds with the door open and turning the valet mode off I realized that the 2000 legacy outback key fob is so sensitive at times you can turn it back on by having to much crap in your hands with the keys, in your pocket with other stuff and so on. I have even replaced the fob, got it from Amazon, and programed it. Still turn valet mode on by accident about once a week but with the new fob it's a simple fix. I have the two button 'teardrop' fob and for anyone interested don't pay a mechanic for a fob I learned how to program a new one from YouTube and bought a new one for under $10 dealer and mechanic were wanting over $200.