Flashing "security" light ('06 Outback sedan)

[Tim]

Hi there:

Hoping someone can help with a securty issue that is (unfortunately)
explained rather vaguely in my owner's manual.

Upon turning off the engine and removing the key, the red dashboard
"security" light in my '06 Outback sedan flashes (one flash every three
seconds).

If I set the alarm or lock the doors with the key fob, it changes to a
rapid flashing for 30 seconds, then settles into a two-flash "armed
mode" (this is correct as explained in the manual).

BUT: If I walk away from the car and do nothing (ie DON'T lock the
doors or press the key fob) the security light will still keep flashing
this one flash every three seconds.

The only reference to any sort of "single-flash" pattern in the manual
is that the car is in "valet mode" (ie no alarm but the doors are
locked), but I have not knowingly placed it into "valet mode."

When I follow the manual's steps to take it out of "valet mode," I can
get the odometer to flash "alarm on" or "alarm off" as it should. But
still, either way, the single-flash mode with the doors unlocked and
ignition off never goes away.

So, am I unknowingly in "valet mode" or not?

Or, more importantly, is a single-flash security light "normal" for
when the car is shut off--and the owner's manual just neglects to
mention this?

Thanks for your help!

 

[M. Butkus]

I believe you might have it set to AUTOMATICALLY set the alarm when the key
is removed. With all these computers in cars, they are starting to have the
user change these options. Not sure if Subaru allows this or you need the
dealer to un-program this.
This is if the alarm is auto alarming... check your manual ! !

 

[Tim]

Thanks for the reply, but "auto alarm" is not the case in this
particular make of vehicle.

I have indeed scoured the "security" section of the manual several
times over and it is annoyingly vague about what this single flashing
security light means.

It suggests the car is in "valet mode," yet I can also still set the
alarm and make it go off (by opening the trunk using the inside latch
while seated in the locked vehicle).

 

[Hal Whelply]

I've also wondered about this on our '06 Legacy Limited Edition wagon. I
suppose I don't much care as long as the system is arming when I hit the
"lock" button on the fob.