What is a car’s ECU, and how does it work?
Your car’s ECU is the microprocessor responsible for your car’s engine management. It works by utilising hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pieces of information provided by sensors located throughout your car’s many components, to make sure your engine performs to it’s fullest potential.
What does ECU stand for?
ECU stands for Engine Control Unit. The ECU meaning is pretty simple and straightforward, and as they used to say—it does exactly what it says on the tin.
The control it delivers makes sure that you get the best economy with appropriate emissions, while all the time it’s controlling the amount of fuel and air into your engine, for peak performance.
When things aren’t running quite as they should, your ECU delivers all sorts of fault codes to provide an incredible amount of technical support. An ECU fault directs mechanics straight to the problem, without the need for old-fashioned troubleshooting and testing by trial and error.
You can see how vital the electronic control unit function is to your car for its long-term health and performance.
Your ECU does more than just engine management
As well as controlling the engine’s valve system, ECUs will also:
- Control turbochargers
- Operate transmission controls in automatic gearboxes
- Provide traction control
- Control headlamp and lighting functions
- Airbag deployment
- Manage cruise control functions
- Oversee other self-driving operations
- Govern the electronic stability control
- Manage safety systems
- Take care of security operations including the link between your car and its key
A car will generally have a central ECU, yet some vehicles will have several different electronic control units (also labelled ECUs) around the car to manage various components and systems. One more function of the central ECU is to make sure the different units talk to each other and share valuable information.
How do I know if my ECU is not working, and what are the typical faults?
Given the advanced technology used in our vehicles today, it’s no surprise that car computer problems can happen just as easily as mechanical ones. A faulty ECU is often responsible for engine issues, yet without detecting the true fault, it can lead a mechanic down all kinds of diagnosis paths.
So, what are the typical signs of a broken ECU, and how do you go about that all-important car computer repair?
Your check engine light illuminates
It goes without saying, of the sensors in your car, those detecting your engine performance are the most likely to trigger when there’s a problem with the engine ECU.
Adversely, a faulty ECU unit may illuminate the check engine light when it’s still operating correctly. That’s why carrying out a full diagnosis of components is so important.
Your car won’t start
If the ECU has failed, your car is unlikely to turn over at all. Without the ‘brain’ to deliver the information the engine requires to run, starting the engine becomes almost impossible.
This answers another question we’re often asked: Can a car run without ECU? Whenever a car is having trouble with its ECU unit and not the engine itself, many drivers hope to bypass the module while they await repairs or an engine control module replacement. We’re afraid that’s a no-go. Repairing the problem is the only action you should take.
The engine stalls and misfires
Without the ECU managing your engine performance, delivering the information your engine needs to run correctly, then, of course, it’s likely it won’t perform in the way it’s supposed to.
The symptoms may appear utterly random as your car’s computer makes hundreds of adjustments each second. They could be intermittent too. With any unusual engine activity, checking the ECU should be part of the diagnosis routine.
Timing, fuel consumption, and engine performance problems
An engine ECU fault can cause defective performances by the components in your engine. This will lead to timing issues and poor overall engine performance.
Poor fuel consumption is another indicator that all’s not well under the hood. Given the mismanaged flow, it should be no surprise that more fuel than usual will find its way through your system.
ECU control box repair
Deciding to repair or replace your ECU car computer is a decision better left to the experts. With such a sophisticated electronic component it’s nowhere near as simple as detecting a blown bulb, fuse or worn brake pads.
ECU remapping
Remapping the settings of your car’s computer will change the performance of your vehicle. This is a choice made by drivers who would prefer a different type of performance model for their vehicle, to that provided by the manufacturer.
ECU repair and replacement quotes courtesy of Fixter
The electronic control unit price will vary from car to car. For a quote on a repair or replacement, Fixter is always happy to help. We’ll track down the best prices in your area, making sure you receive the very best value as well as the professional expertise provided by our first-rate partners.
The history of the ECU car part and computer sensors for cars
The first use of an ECU was rolled out in the 1970s. At this point they were only controlling some of the solenoids in the car’s carburettors, helping them to function more efficiently. A few of the units were also being used to control the air/fuel mix while the car as idling.
In the 1980s, with the introduction of fuel injection, the ECU became far more important in engine management. At this point, the ECU took complete control of fuel ignition. Shortly after, the closed-loop Lambda sensor was introduced.
Making its debut appearance in diesel driven engines, the ECU of the 1990s was also handling the security of our cars. The introduction into the diesel market was a huge industry turning point, leading to the mass-market popularity of the turbo-diesel engine.
After the turn of the decade, the 2000s ECU was adopted by drive-by-wire throttle controls, turbochargers and many emission control systems.
Finally, over the previous 10 years and into the car of today, our car’s ECU plays a part in almost everything you can think of. It monitors hundreds of inputs and outputs from all around your car: the throttle, cooling system, emissions, combustion and more—all managed to exacting measures. Modern hybrid systems are dependent on the ECU to perform properly, and now, with increasing advanced driving features, your ECU plays a massive part in the communication that they too require from your engine.
About Fixter
Fixter is revolutionising the car maintenance industry, one repair at a time. Fixter was founded to make car maintenance as easy as booking a taxi. Digital, transparent and stress-free, with world-class customer service. Since launching in Manchester in 2017, Fixter has expanded to more than 100 cities across the UK and provided thousands of car owners with honest, convenient and affordable car repair services.