What does a car’s ECM do?
As mentioned above, the ECM monitors and controls the essential functions of a vehicle, making sure it is running smoothly. In a nutshell, the ECM is designed to receive information from a host of sensors in the engine to:
- Regulate fuel injections
- Adapt the idle speed
- Control the spark plugs
- Monitor the ignition system
- Notify any problem with the “Check Engine” light
- Deliver electrical commands to the transmission
The ECM monitors these functions with information received from the oxygen sensor, air temperature sensor, air pressure sensor, throttle position sensor, and more. It does so to get the best performance out of the engine and keep emissions low.
These engine computers are self-learning devices programmed to adjust for driving conditions and the driver’s habits. Simply put, the vehicle’s computer independently controls and coordinates the different parts of the engine so that they can work together in a range of different situations.
How does the ECM work?
Now that you have some basic understanding of what the ECM does, it is time to understand how it works. Like modern computers, the one in your vehicle depends on tons (in today’s vehicles up to 50) of microprocessors to give it the power it needs to control all these functions. As vehicles get more and more advanced, the number of microprocessors required increases. Innovations and advancements in modern vehicles that need a boost in microprocessors include:
- Comfort and convenience features
- Advanced safety features
- Advanced diagnostics
- Simplification of the manufacture & design
- Emission and fuel-economy standards
- Reduced wiring in vehicles
As advanced as these engine computers are, things could go wrong at any time. Electrical shorts in the sensor circuits can happen anytime and could overload the ECM. Issues with the computer’s power supply could cause the ECM to act erratically. Since your vehicle’s computer plays a vital role in keeping the engine running smooth, it is essential that you have it checked as soon as there is an issue with it.
At 1Engine Control, we suggest diagnosing your vehicle as soon as you notice something unusual. Want to have your vehicle’s ECM diagnosed with our expert mechanics? Please let us know if your ECM is not working correctly and you want it to be replaced with a new one.
