Engine Control Unit
Today’s engines are nothing more than a piece of metal without an engine control unit. As its name says, an engine control unit is a computer device that provides complete control over engine operation. Its failure to operate properly leads to a lot of problems in your vehicle. Here are the most common of them:
The check engine light turns on
The engine control unit of a modern vehicle communicates with different engine sensors and control modules, including an onboard computer. If something happens to the control unit, another module or the onboard computer will turn on the check engine light. The engine control unit can also turn on the light if it detects an internal problem.
Your engine doesn’t start
An engine control unit is responsible for the proper supply of fuel and spark to the cylinders as well as variable valve timing in some vehicles. If any of them is missing, your engine will crank, but won’t start.
Your engine stalls or provides low performance
Everything, from fuel supply to ignition timing and emissions, is under control of the engine control unit. That’s why problems with the ECU may cause engine misfiring, hesitation, surging, etc. They will also affect your fuel economy and emissions.
Computers have been an integral part of the modern community for many years. They can be found everywhere, and vehicles are no exception.
An engine control unit, also named a powertrain module or engine module, is a type of computer that controls your vehicle’s engine operation. It relies on different engine sensors to monitor the temperature, RPMs and several other parameters of your engine, and provides the control over the engine’s equipment like fuel injectors or spark plugs. In addition, it detects any problems related to the engine operation and triggers trouble codes if they’re found.
Can the ECU be fixed?
If your engine control unit doesn’t perform properly, you may ask a technician to reprogram it with new software. If it doesn’t help, it should be tested and potentially replaced with a new one. A new module may also need reprogramming to communicate with the rest of your vehicle’s equipment.