Talk:3096: Check Engine - Revision history

82.132.234.190 at 13:12, 5 June 2025

2025-06-05T13:12:22Z

82.13.184.33 at 08:36, 5 June 2025

2025-06-05T08:36:23Z

172.68.205.72 at 16:00, 3 June 2025

2025-06-03T16:00:14Z

172.68.35.64: Andromeda TV show reference

2025-06-03T15:52:45Z

Andromeda TV show reference

172.70.110.143 at 12:55, 3 June 2025

2025-06-03T12:55:14Z

172.68.205.127: Could also fix the link-format used, but won't.

2025-06-03T00:00:40Z

Could also fix the link-format used, but won't.

162.158.62.166 at 23:43, 2 June 2025

2025-06-02T23:43:45Z

172.70.58.112: Hmmm, how did I do that? Hopefully that bit's back to normal.

2025-06-02T21:33:04Z

Hmmm, how did I do that? Hopefully that bit's back to normal.

172.70.58.112 at 21:26, 2 June 2025

2025-06-02T21:26:30Z

172.68.205.126 at 21:21, 2 June 2025

2025-06-02T21:21:04Z

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 :::Can confirm, though that you don't get bulb-test at "Acc" level. It's "On" where "The warning lights can be checked before the engine is started."
 :::Regarding the warning lights, I have ...potentially 26 lights, according the manual (16 of them marked "if equipped", ''including'' the one with the 'engine' shape that is described as "Malfunction indicator")... But I don't think even half of them get a "bulb test" treatment. The engine one does, but goes away very quickly as I agree that one doesn't tend to dwell on "On, but not Started, I agree, and the manual actively ''discourages'' you from staying in the "On" position, like that. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.20|172.70.58.20]] 21:19, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
 [[1895|uh oh]] [[Special:Contributions/172.69.134.55|172.69.134.55]] 01:11, 1 June 2025 (UTC)

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 "The Check Engine light is one that drivers will rarely see". Well, in most cars, you'll ''see'' the "check engine" light every time you put the car in "accessories" mode, just temporarily, as a test to make sure the light works. So car owners will know that the light is there and exists, and to not ignore it if it comes on outside of being in "accessories" mode. [[User:Dogman15|Dogman15]] ([[User talk:Dogman15|talk]]) 19:39, 31 May 2025 (UTC)
 :Reading up on "Accessories Mode", I'm confused as to which level of key-turning that is. May be different in different models of car, but I'm going by the various makes of car I m used to.
 :Key position 0: Key inserted (or not), no twist. Minimal 'accessories' available - no wipers, indicators (except full hazards), radio, air, "lighter socket". Nothing lit on dashboard (except both indicators, in synch with hazards).
 :Key position 1 (maybe, if not straight from '0' to '2', deending upon vehicle make): Unpowered as 0, but key is 'locked' in so it can't be pulled straight out
@@ Line 20: / Line 15: @@
 :So, yeah, maybe I can see the ECL, but I have to say that I'd probably never ''notice'' it (or its absence), as I'm probably doing things like a mirror-check during the moment of twisting the key from '2', past '3', temporarily into '4' then back and ready to get into gear and go when it's expedient and safe to do so. But don't know how universal this setup tends to be. Sounds like it matches the scenario you're questioning, but I don't think I can improve what's there by adding this longhand personal understanding. Could be shortened. Maybe the original author wouldn't mind something like "most people probably never notice the ECL until it comes on and stays on", if that's not too much against the spirit of your expectations. [[Special:Contributions/172.71.241.166|172.71.241.166]] 22:17, 31 May 2025 (UTC)
 ::My thought FWIW is that the "Check Engine Light" falls within the experience of most drivers (most of the audience for xkcd and explainxkcd) and hence shouldn't require explanation beyond what is in the cited Wikipedia article. Indeed, the humor arguably works because of the reader's immediate "Holy [deleted]!" recognition of, and reaction to, the light - however it may be produced. As for the "black patch" mode of producing the image, that is (I read, again via Wikipedia) precisely how sunspots are contrasted from the rest of the sun's surface, as they are cooler and have higher magnetic field strengths. I'm not sure how discussing the manner of producing alert signals on automobile dashboards and LCD screens, and contrasting that with the Sun, contributes positively to the explanation. One can perhaps contemplate the design challenges of producing an image, several Earth diameters across, that means something to humans in an environment of 28''g'' gravity, 5700 degrees K temperature, and 4500 Gauss magnetic field strength, never mind one that accurately reports a fundamental problem with the Sun's "engine".[[Special:Contributions/108.162.245.161|108.162.245.161]] 23:28, 31 May 2025 (UTC)
 ::: "''It "proves out" the dash warning lights. You '''turn the key to on''', the dash lights for oil warning, brake warning, etc. '''come on for a couple of seconds and then go out.''' This is to show/test the bulbs work before starting the car. Bulbs don't prove out then you have burnt out bulbs or a dash wiring issue. This way you know the bulbs work BEFORE you have a problem with oil pressure, charging system, etc.''" [https://www.vintage-mustang.com/threads/anyone-know-what-prove-out-circuit-is-schematic-related.631922/ VMF] In many states the "smog check" is just to observe '''no Check Engine light'''. But what if the bulb burned or fell out (it has happened!)? The inspector is supposed to observe that key idiot lights DO light for a few seconds at turn-on. Another article states that only 21% of UK drivers can identify dash warning lights. --[[User:PRR|PRR]] ([[User talk:PRR|talk]]) 04:46, 1 June 2025 (UTC)
 [[1895|uh oh]] [[Special:Contributions/172.69.134.55|172.69.134.55]] 01:11, 1 June 2025 (UTC)

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:00, 3 June 2025
Line 35:		Line 35:
	Diagnosing this will probably require plugging in a comically oversized OBD2 reader to the port tucked away under the photosphere at the south pole. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.110.143\|172.70.110.143]] 12:55, 3 June 2025 (UTC)		Diagnosing this will probably require plugging in a comically oversized OBD2 reader to the port tucked away under the photosphere at the south pole. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.110.143\|172.70.110.143]] 12:55, 3 June 2025 (UTC)

−	This reminds me of a certain Andromeda episode: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0789802/	+	This reminds me of a certain Andromeda episode: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0789802/ {{unsigned ip\|172.68.35.64\|15:52, 3 June 2025}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:52, 3 June 2025
Line 34:		Line 34:

	Diagnosing this will probably require plugging in a comically oversized OBD2 reader to the port tucked away under the photosphere at the south pole. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.110.143\|172.70.110.143]] 12:55, 3 June 2025 (UTC)		Diagnosing this will probably require plugging in a comically oversized OBD2 reader to the port tucked away under the photosphere at the south pole. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.110.143\|172.70.110.143]] 12:55, 3 June 2025 (UTC)
		+
		+	This reminds me of a certain Andromeda episode: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0789802/

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:55, 3 June 2025
Line 32:		Line 32:

	Could this be connected to [https://xkcd.com/673/]? {{unsigned ip\|162.158.62.166\|23:43, 2 June 2025}}		Could this be connected to [https://xkcd.com/673/]? {{unsigned ip\|162.158.62.166\|23:43, 2 June 2025}}
		+
		+	Diagnosing this will probably require plugging in a comically oversized OBD2 reader to the port tucked away under the photosphere at the south pole. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.110.143\|172.70.110.143]] 12:55, 3 June 2025 (UTC)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:00, 3 June 2025
Line 31:		Line 31:
	Possibly coincidence, but a '''strong (G3) geomagnetic storm''' was [https://web.archive.org/web/20250530224752/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] on or shortly before Thursday, May 29, 2025 03:09 UTC, the day before this comic was published. '''Severe (G4)''' conditions were [https://web.archive.org/web/20250602010052/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] in the following days. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.94.35\|172.70.94.35]] 18:33, 2 June 2025 (UTC)		Possibly coincidence, but a '''strong (G3) geomagnetic storm''' was [https://web.archive.org/web/20250530224752/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] on or shortly before Thursday, May 29, 2025 03:09 UTC, the day before this comic was published. '''Severe (G4)''' conditions were [https://web.archive.org/web/20250602010052/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] in the following days. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.94.35\|172.70.94.35]] 18:33, 2 June 2025 (UTC)

−	Could this be connected to [https://xkcd.com/673/]?	+	Could this be connected to [https://xkcd.com/673/]? {{unsigned ip\|162.158.62.166\|23:43, 2 June 2025}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:43, 2 June 2025
Line 30:		Line 30:

	Possibly coincidence, but a '''strong (G3) geomagnetic storm''' was [https://web.archive.org/web/20250530224752/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] on or shortly before Thursday, May 29, 2025 03:09 UTC, the day before this comic was published. '''Severe (G4)''' conditions were [https://web.archive.org/web/20250602010052/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] in the following days. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.94.35\|172.70.94.35]] 18:33, 2 June 2025 (UTC)		Possibly coincidence, but a '''strong (G3) geomagnetic storm''' was [https://web.archive.org/web/20250530224752/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] on or shortly before Thursday, May 29, 2025 03:09 UTC, the day before this comic was published. '''Severe (G4)''' conditions were [https://web.archive.org/web/20250602010052/https://www.spaceweather.gov/ observed] in the following days. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.94.35\|172.70.94.35]] 18:33, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
		+
		+	Could this be connected to [https://xkcd.com/673/]?

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 :::The manual ''does'' describe the as ''LOCK'', ''ACC (Accessory)'', ''ON'' and ''START'', but... well, I'd never have read it that closely except for this question.
 :::Can confirm, though that you don't get bulb-test at "Acc" level. It's "On" where "The warning lights can be checked before the engine is started."
-:::Regarding the warning lights, I have ...potentially 26 lights, according the manual (16 of them marked "if equipped", ''including'' the one with the 'engine' shape that is described as "Malfunction indicator")... But I don't think even half of them get a "bulb test" treatment. [[Special:Contributions/172.68.205.126|172.68.205.126]] 21:21, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
+:::Regarding the warning lights, I have ...potentially 26 lights, according the manual (16 of them marked "if equipped", ''including'' the one with the 'engine' shape that is described as "Malfunction indicator")... But I don't think even half of them get a "bulb test" treatment. The engine one does, but goes away very quickly as I agree that one doesn't tend to dwell on "On, but not Started, I agree, and the manual actively ''discourages'' you from staying in the "On" position, like that. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.20|172.70.58.20]] 21:19, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
-:Key position 0: Key inserted (or not), no twist. Minimal 'accessories' available - no wipers, indicators (except full hazards), radio, air, "lighter socket". Nothing lit on dashboard (except both indicators, in synch with hazards). The engine one does, but goes away very quickly as I agree that one doesn't tend to dwell on "On, but not Started, I agree, and the manual actively ''discourages'' you from staying in the "On" position, like that. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.58.20|172.70.58.20]] 21:19, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
+:Key position 0: Key inserted (or not), no twist. Minimal 'accessories' available - no wipers, indicators (except full hazards), radio, air, "lighter socket". Nothing lit on dashboard (except both indicators, in synch with hazards).
 :Key position 1 (maybe, if not straight from '0' to '2', deending upon vehicle make): Unpowered as 0, but key is 'locked' in so it can't be pulled straight out
 :Key position 2: Power to (practically) everything internal, and (?)individual indicators if either difection active, with engine off. Minimal dashboard lghts on, as necessary for (side-)lights, and 'glow light' illuminating the physical dials (dimmed, if head-/dipped-lights are on, as a less obtrusive 'night mode). I'd call this "accessories mode", would need to check my current car manual to find out what it calls it, but it doesn't show all lights (engine check, battery fault, seat-belt-unused warning for seats with sufficient weight on them but not clipped in as required).