Varible Timing Control Oil Change Fix or What

It started doing a surge and fast idle.no exact time the only warning I get to when it will act up is all the dash warning lights go on. And usually when I have been driving awhile, if I turn the engine off and wait it wont be as bad and only check engine light is on it does this two or three times then its ok for awhile then it starts up again.Last time I was able to go to an auto store and they said it was the varible timing control and an oil change would fix it I'm not so sure it hasnt been that long since its oil has been changed. What could it be and can I fix it or is this a dealer ship job.