Method for identifying an operating state of an engine soak timer

The present invention generally relates to a method for identifying a certain state or condition of an engine soak timer and more particularly, to a method which identifies a "short time" type state or condition of an engine soak timer by the use of an engine coolant temperature signature. A method for determining the existence of a "short time" type state within a vehicle control assembly . The method requires the measurement of the temperature of engine coolant at a first time and the determination and/or the inferential creation of the temperature of the engine coolant at a second and later time . A "short time" type state is identified when the temperature at the second time is greater than or equal to the temperature at the first time