The Engine Control Module, or ECM, is one the most critical components found in your vehicle. The ECM is what makes your vehicle “smart” and basically functions as a computer which regulates engine spark and fuel by taking in information from various sensors in your car’s engine. This allows your engine to function with optimum power and efficiency.
A malfunctioning or broken engine control module is not something that you can put off repairing. The ECM essentially makes changes to your engine to produce peak performance under different conditions and affects nearly every essential system in your vehicle. Without this function, you will have increased and unnecessary wear on engine components, your performance will suffer, and, if left long enough, damage to the engine will accrue and you will be strapped with increasingly expensive repairs.
So how do you avoid more costly repairs and keep more of your money in your wallet? Repair or replace a malfunctioning or failing ECM before it leads to wider engine problems.
Signs You Might Need a Replacement Engine Control Module
Here are six signs and symptoms that might indicate your car’s computer is failing:
- Check Engine Light – Simple things first! A lot of us see the check engine light and think it’s probably nothing or that it is something we don’t have to worry about right now. For some people, it is always on and they are just used to it. But even if you are a very busy person, it’s important to not put off getting an illuminated check engine light looked at. When this light is constantly on and is not going off, it could be a sign of your ECM being faulty and it is worth it to get it checked out.
- Car Doesn’t Start – A more troublesome symptom of a bad ECM is your engine having trouble starting or not starting at all. This could be caused by other things like a shoddy alternator or bad battery, but could also be the result of problems with the ECM preventing the engine from getting the vital information from the car’s computer it needs to start and function properly.
- Engine Stalling or Misfiring – A bad or malfunctioning engine control module can also cause erratic and unpredictable engine stalling or misfiring. This is a result of fuel and timing issues due to the engine not getting information properly.
- Reduced Power – If you notice that your car has reduced power or slower acceleration, this could also be the result of a failing ECM.
- Gear Shifting Issues – When the ECM is faulty or failing, it will throw off the timing of fuel settings of the engine and could result in your vehicle struggling to change gears or not being able to shift at all.
- Reduced Fuel Economy – If you normally pay attention to your fuel economy and notice it getting worse and you aren’t sure why, it could also be a sign of a broken or malfunctioning engine control module.
Causes of A Bad ECM
Those are the possible signs of a faulty ECM, but also understanding the possible causes will give you more insight into whether any of the issues above are in fact caused by a bad engine control module. Understanding the cause could also let you know whether a repair or total replacement of the module is necessary.
Two of the primary causes are typically electrical issues resulting from the engine’s solenoid, or a physical issue with the ECM—if it isn’t seated well or has loose housing it can rattle around and allow the ECM to become physically damaged. Other possible causes include wire corrosion, starter replacements bypassing override sensors, poor grounding, and improper jump starts.
Okay, I Think My Control Module is Bad. What Next?
As with most issues with vehicle components and a little bit of know-how, you should be able to replace your engine control module by yourself. We offer a wide variety of ECMs for all makes and models. We ship these ECMs to your door, pre-programmed, and ready to install — no trips to the dealer or a mechanic required.
If you suspect that your ECM is the source of your car troubles, you should diagnose the issue and get it replaced or repaired immediately. This module plays such a vital role in the performance of your vehicle, that any issues which arise can be catastrophic to the engine. Catching the problem early on can save you a lot of money, stress, and headache.