I disagree with the author

[www.wired.com]

So as not to cause distracted driving, the check engine light should remain, but there should be an available code reader display the driver can turn on or off.

The ultimate idiot light would be "Check Vehicle." ... Or, come to think of it, "Check Driver."

The average person would never be able to interpret what the CEL is indicating. It reports issues that aid a mechanic, i.e. P0###, identifying some emission issue. This could indicate bad gasoline, a faulty O2 sensor, a vacuum leak or just a lose gas cap. The ECU can only report the fault, it requires someone with knowledge of cars to determine the real problem, so I'm not sure how anything other than "Hey buddy, you have a problem" would help the average driver.

There is no reason in the modern world why a table of native language interpretations shouldn't be displayed on an LCD. Memory is almost infinitely cheap. Shouldn't need a code reader.

My wife's new car (5200 miels) is saying "Maint Reqd". What the heck does that mean...should I stop immediately? (first time an '89 car did that I interrupted a trip to Disneyland with the family only to find out it meant the dealers wanted some $. There was nothing that couldn't have waited till I got back from the trip.) It means I set the maintenance reminder interval to 5k...that is all it means. And once again I'll have to fight the dealer to even change the oil because their thinking is 10k.

( I started my computer career in the days where 2k would cost $500k+. Today I happened to open an old computer toolkit (probably from the '80s) to use a screwdriver from it and was thinking to myself how odd a "chip puller" seems in today's world.)

wasn't the primary reason for the display lights based on the fact that people didn't look at their gauges?

From the article: "The real problem is that the check-engine light is a tool for the propagation of consumer ignorance about their cars. That is why it needs to die. Now."

My understanding was that they were "idiot" lights because most drivers were assessed as idiots already. What evidence do we have that the large majority of the people on the road have improved in this regard? Certainly, the continued use of cell phones, texting, iPods, 5 levels of menus on a display to change the radio station, and other forms of distraction would seem to indicate the opposite trajectory as a measure of the intelligence of the motoring public.

Personally, I'm still looking for the "any" key on my computer. And, yes Mike, I too have a computer toolkit with a chip puller... and a soldering iron.

Dave - 06 987 S coupe SG/NL; gone (but still my first love): 03 986 AS/GG/BK;

I am afraid that because the generic light can mean that you left the gas cap loose, I tend to interpret all occasions of the CEL as that fault. It seems the easiest to fix.

I agree with Mike - in today's cars you can display the miles per gallon you are getting, the directions to the nearest McDonalds, you name it - you should be able to give a reasonable message for which CEL code is going off.

The average motorist would be no better off if any of these are displayed. Most of them can be the result of multiple problems. Solid light means have it looked at, flashing light means pull over.

P0101 Mass Air Flow Sensor - Signal Implausible
P0102 Mass Air Flow Sensor - Below Lower Limit
P0103 Mass Air Flow Sensor - Above Upper Limit
P0112 Intake Air Temperature Sensor - Below Lower Limit
P0113 Intake Air Temperature Sensor - Above Upper Limit
P0115 Engine Temperature Sensor - Signal Implausible
P0117 Engine Temperature Sensor - Below Lower Limit
P0118 Engine Temperature Sensor - Above Upper Limit
P0122 Throttle Position Sensor - Below Lower Limit
P0123 Throttle Position Sensor - Above Upper Limit
P0130 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Intercore Short Circuit or Limited
P0131 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Signal Wire Short Circuit to
P0132 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Short Circuit to B+
P0133 Aging of Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Below Lower Limit
P0134 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Interruption of Signal
P0136 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1-3) - Intercore Short Circuit
P0137 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Signal Wire Short Circuit to Ground or Incorrect
P0138 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Short Circuit to B+
P0139 Aging of Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3)
P0140 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (cylinders 1 - 3) - Interruption of Signal
P0150 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Intercore Short Circuit or Limited
P0151 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Signal Wire Short Circuit to
P0152 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Short Circuit to B+
P0153 Aging of Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Below Lower Limit
P0154 Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Interruption of Signal
P0156 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Intercore Short Circuit
P0157 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Signal Wire Short Circuit to Ground or In -
P0158 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 61 - Short Circuit to B+
P0159 Aging of Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6)
P0160 Oxygen Sensor After Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Interruption of Signal
P0197 Oil Temperature Sensor - Short Circuit to Ground
P0198 Oil Temperature Sensor - Short Circuit to B+
P0300 Misfire Damaging to Catalytic Converter
P0301 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Damaging to Catalytic Converter
P0302 Misfire, Cylinder 2, Damaging to Catalytic Converter
P0303 Misfire, Cylinder 3, Damaging to Catalytic Converter
P0304 Misfire, Cylinder 4, Damaging to Catalytic Converter
P0305 Misfire, Cylinder 5, Damaging to Catalytic Converter
P0306 Misfire, Cylinder 6, Damaging to Catalytic Converter
P0336 Crankshaft Position Sensor - Not in Specified Range
P0341 Camshaft Position Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+
P0410 Secondary Air Injection System - Signal Implausible (Cylinders 1 - 3)
P0420 Catalytic Converter Conversion Too Low (Cylinders 1 - 3)
P0430 Catalytic Converter Conversion Too Low (Cylinders 4 - 6)
P0440 Fuel Tank Ventilation System - Above Limit
P0441 Fuel Tank Ventilation System - Above Limit
P0442 Fuel Tank Ventilation System (Micro-leak) - Below Lower Limit
P0444 EVAP Canister Purge Valve - Open Circuit
P0445 EVAP Canister Purge Valve - Short to B+/Short to Ground
P0446 EVAP Canister Shutoff Valve (Function) - Below Lower Limit
P0447 EVAP Canister Shutoff Valve (Output Stage) - Open Circuit
P0448 EVAP Canister Shutoff Valve (Output Stage) - Short to B+/Short to Ground
P0450 Tank Pressure Sensor - Signal Implausible
P0452 Tank Pressure Sensor - Short to Ground
P0453 Tank Pressure Sensor - Short to B+
P0455 Fuel Tank Ventilation System (Major Leak) - Below Lower Limit
P0501 Vehicle Speed - Not in Specified Range
P0506 Idle Air Control - Idle Speed Too Low
P0507 Idle Air Control - Idle Speed Too High
P0600 CAN Time-out - Signal Implausible
P0603 ECM Faulty
P0604 ECM Faulty
P0605 ECM Faulty
P1102 Oxygen Sensor Heating 1 Ahead of Catalytic Converter - Above Upper Limit
P1105 Oxygen Sensor Heating 1 After Catalytic Converter - Above Upper Limit
P1107 Oxygen Sensor Heating 2 Ahead of Catalytic Converter - Above Upper Limit
P1110 Oxygen Sensor Heating 2 After Catalytic Converter - Above Upper Limit
P1115 Oxygen Sensor Heating 1 After Catalytic Converter - Above Upper Limit
P1117 Oxygen Sensor Heating 1 After Catalytic Converter - Below Lower Limit
P1119 Oxygen Sensor Heating 2 Ahead of Catalytic Converter - Below Lower Limit
P1121 Oxygen Sensor Heating 2 After Catalytic Converter - Below Lower Limit
P1123 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 1 (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Lean Threshold
P1124 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 1 (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Rich Threshold
P1125 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 1 (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Lean Threshold
P1126 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 1 (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Rich Threshold
P1127 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 2 (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Lean Threshold
P1128 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 2 (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Rich Threshold
P1129 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 2 (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Lean Threshold
P1130 Oxygen Sensing Adaptation Area 2 (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Rich Threshold
P1140 Load Sensing - Signal Implausible
P1157 Engine Compartment Temperature Sensor - Short Circuit to Ground
P1158 Engine Compartment Temperature Sensor - Short Circuit to B+
P1213 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 1 - Short to B+
P1214 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 2 - Short to B+
P1215 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 3 - Short to B+
P1216 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 4 - Short to B+
P1217 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 5 - Short to B+
P1218 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 6 - Short to B+
P1225 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 1 - Short to Ground
P1226 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 2 - Short to Ground
P1227 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 3 - Short to Ground
P1228 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 4 - Short to Ground
P1229 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 5 - Short to Ground
P1230 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 6 - Short to Ground
P1237 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 1 - Open Circuit
P1238 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 2 - Open Circuit
P1239 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 3 - Open Circuit
P1240 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 4 - Open Circuit
P1241 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 5 - Open Circuit
P1242 Fuel Injector, Cylinder 6 - Open Circuit
P1265 Airbag Signal - Signal Implausible
P1275 Aging of Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 1 - 3) - Below Lower Limit
P1276 Aging of Oxygen Sensor Ahead of Catalytic Converter (Cylinders 4 - 6) - Below Lower Limit
P1313 Misfire, Cylinder 1, Emission Relevant
P1314 Misfire, Cylinder 2, Emission Relevant
P1315 Misfire, Cylinder 3, Emission Relevant
P1316 Misfire, Cylinder 4, Emission Relevant
P1317 Misfire, Cylinder 5, Emission Relevant
P1318 Misfire, Cylinder 6, Emission Relevant
P1319 Misfire, Emission Relevant
P1324 Timing Chain out of Position, Bank 2 - Below (or Above) Lower Limit
P1340 Timing Chain out of Position, Bank 1 - Below (or Above) Lower Limit
P1384 Knock Sensor 1 - Signal Implausible
P1385 Knock Sensor 2 - Signal Implausible
P1386 Knock Control Test Pulse - Signal Implausible
P1397 Camshaft Position Sensor 2 - Signal Implausible, Short to Ground, Short to B+
P1411 Secondary Air Injection System - Signal Implausible (Cylinders 4 - 6)
P1455 A/C Compressor Control - Open Circuit
P1456 A/C Compressor Control - Above Upper Limit
P1457 A/C Compressor Control - Below Lower Limit
P1501 Fuel Pump Relay Output Stage - Short Circuit to Ground
P1502 Fuel Pump Relay Output Stage - Short Circuit to B+
P1510 Idle Air Control Valve Opening Coil - Above Upper Limit
P1512 Intake Manifold Switchover 1 (Output Stage) - Short to B+
P1513 Idle Air Control Valve Opening Coil - Below Lower Limit
P1514 Idle Air Control Valve Opening Coil - Open Circuit
P1515 Intake Manifold Switchover 1 (Output Stage) - Short to Ground
P1516 Intake Manifold Switchover 1 (Output Stage) - Open Circuit
P1524 Camshaft Adjustment, Bank 2
P1530 Camshaft Adjustment, Bank 1
P1531 Camshaft Adjustment, Bank 1
P1539 Camshaft Adjustment, Bank 2
P1541 Fuel Pump Relay Output Stage - Open Circuit
P1551 Idle Air Control Valve Closing Coil - Open Circuit
P1552 Idle Air Control Valve Closing Coil - Below Lower Limit
P1553 Idle Air Control Valve Closing Coil - Above Upper Limit
P1570 Immobilizer - Implausible Operating Range
P1571 Immobilizer - Open Circuit / No Signal
P1585 Misfire with Empty Fuel Tank
P1600 Voltage Supply - Signal Implausible (or Below Lower Limit)
P1601 Voltage Supply - Above Upper Limit
P1602 Voltage Supply - Open Circuit
P1640 ECM Faulty
P1671 Engine Compartment Purge Fan Output Stage - Open Circuit (or Short Circuit to Ground or Short Circuit to B+)
P1673 Fan Output Stage - Open Circuit (or Short Circuit to Ground or Short Circuit to B+)
P1689 ECM Faulty
P1691 Check Engine Malfunction Indication Light (MIL) - Open Circuit
P1692 Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) - short Circuit to Ground
P1693 Check Engine Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) - Short Circuit to B+
P1782 Engine Engagement / Nominal Engine Torque - Short Circuit to Ground

So put a red light on the dash but also display "have checked soon" or "Stop driving now!" and a native language cause. (I have no objection if the display is burried in the rotation with instantanious MPG, miles to empty, etc. )

Seriously, don't you think that your list is too long. All those codes can be simplified to give real meaning. By combining several codes, I came up with a shorter list.

Excuse me, there is a problem with the Mass Air Flow Sensor
Oops there is an Intake Air Temperature Problem
Engine Temperature Problem
Throttle Problem
Engine Oxygen Problem
Oil Temperature problem
Engine Misfire that Damages Catalytic Converter
Crankshaft Problem
Weird Secondary Air Injection Signal I
Did you close the Fuel Tank?
Please have someone check the evaporation canister
Whoa! the fuel tank might blow up!
P0501 Having too much fun????
Idle Speed Problem - Don't speed at idle.
That damn oxygen sensor is complaining again
P1140 Load Sensing - Signal Implausible - what the hell is goning on??
I can't tell what is going on with the engine compartment temperature sensor, cna you?
Fuel Injector problem - big bucks ahead
I can't believe what the Airbag Signal is saying, can you? Don't crash
That damn oxygen sensor is funky again
The engine is misfiring, which causes pollution and global warming.
What happened to the timing chain? Better get that fixed!
The Knock Sensor is crazy
The Camshaft must be doing yoga
Aren't you glad your Secondary Air Injection System is not as bad as your car's
Want some air conditioning????
Want some fuel to the engine????
The Intake Manifold Switchover (whatever that is) is shorting out. Fix it.
If this car does not idle, check it out.
The Camshaft is out of Adjustment. OMG!
The Fuel Pump Relay seems screwed
see the idle problem above.
Immobilizer not working - anyone can steal this car!
You ran out of gas!!!
The whole alternator/battery system is screwed
That damn ECM is Faulty again!
Just when you wanted the Engine Compartment to Purge, you lost the airsicknes s bags.
A fan would be nice.
This frigging Check Engine Light has gone crazy - ignore it.

Almost nobody would benefit from being given the code and an explanation. On this board, perhaps a lot of people but we do not represent the typical car consumer. Almost none of the codes tells you definitively what is wrong and even if they did most of the codes cannot be remedied without tools, experience, and enthusiasm.

... with your disagreement
Most people would freak out when they get a message that they don't understand, such as "evaporative systems leak".
Let them keep their warning lights.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Pedro Bonilla
1998 Boxster 986 - 311,000+ miles: [www.PedrosGarage.com]
PCA National Club Racing Scrutineer - PCA National HPDE Instructor - PCA Technical Committee (Boxster/Cayman)

---

Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar

"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting" ... Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in "LeMans"

"If you wait, all that happens is that you get older"... Mario Andretti

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose" ... Ayrton Senna

So make the detailed explanation available but put it behind an english (or other local language) explanation of the CEL in one of the innumerable menu buttons all new cars now have. To have something straight out of 20 years ago technology on modern cars just seems wierd.

Transparency is a current word they use for exposing the facts to the customer/constituant. I buy into that notion.

Maybe if they have a very short list of items such as:
Check gasoline cap
Check oil cap
Things that they may correct themselves.
Happy Boxstering
Pedro

Pedro Bonilla
1998 Boxster 986 - 311,000+ miles: [www.PedrosGarage.com]
PCA National Club Racing Scrutineer - PCA National HPDE Instructor - PCA Technical Committee (Boxster/Cayman)

---

Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar

"Racing is life. Anything before or after is just waiting" ... Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in "LeMans"

"If you wait, all that happens is that you get older"... Mario Andretti

"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose" ... Ayrton Senna