ECU (Motor computer) Defect symptoms ✔️

What is an ECU?

ECU (Electronic Control United) – is a general term for any electronic control unit. ECU also bears the name of PCM (PowerTrain control module).

ECU – the electronic control unit (also known as controller) – is essentially the brain of your car. Without it all the others are pieces of metal, plastic, microcircuites and yarns.

ECU-RECEIVE A large amount of information from various sensors (such as oxygen, speed, ambient temperature, engine, etc.), after which it processes the data received in a special program (algorithm). It manages all electronic processes (from position and light to control in systems such as ABS, ESP and modification of speeds in an automatic car).

As you can see, the ECU is a very intelligent piece, but we will continue to see as much as possible which functions controls and which orders send.

To begin with, we will list the sensors from which ECU collects the information:

• Motor temperature
• Room temperature
• Procurement of oxygen
• Fuel supply
• Movement, inactive
• Anti -blocco braking sensors, anti -slip stabilization and other wheels safety systems
• Speed
• The position of the acceleration flap
• The position of the acceleration pedal
• The engine tree (sometimes two)
• Control of the cooling liquid
• The sensor of the air conditioner and its systems
• Control of the braking system and its liquid
• Signals from the station table or from the EUR circuit
• Analyze the voltage on board

This is a standard set that is on almost all cars. In the situation you have a more performance car, the number of sensors is higher. In this case, suspension sensors can be added (for example, some SUVs are pneumatic).

Now let’s see who sends ECU orders:

• Fuel supply
• Ignition system
• Control of valve times
• Control and maintenance of the motor temperature
• Exhaust gas analysis before and after escape
• Air conditioning system
• The lighting system and all electrical equipment, sometimes even the radio
• Electric windows
• Automatic transmission control
• Heating and division

Once again, this is the minimum standard set. In the situation in which your car is more modern, there are many other orders of the genre.

As this small box has been seen, it has the role of control of the entire car, i.e. all subsystems, all sensors are linked to it.

The components of a computer computer

The control unit can be both in plastic and iron or aluminum. Plastic carcasses are used on Vaz -uril and iron carcasses on many foreign cars. Even the casing can differ according to its position. If it is in the car, it can be made of plastic and if it is out, under the hood, then it is usually in aluminum (or other alloy/metal).

All components of the control unit can be divided into two large blocks, that is to say:

OR Software -Consists of a pair of calculation modules:

– Control: it is configured to inspect the output signals, as well as to adjust them, if necessary.

– Functional: its tasks consist in the reception of different signals from sensors, their subsequent processing, as well as the formation of orders for executive devices.

OR Hardware – It consists of a mass of electronic-muscroprocessors and others. The analog-digital converter captures the analog signals that come from different sensors and converts them to a digital format, which is the central point of the microprocessor. If the reverse conversion (orders from the processor), the converter also translates into them. In addition, the impulse signals are also sent to the computer, thus passing through the converter to change the digital format.

How does an ECU work?

The role of the computer is to receive information from various sensors, whose number in modern models reaches 20 or more. The information received refers, in particular, to:

• Air flow data
• Indicators from Lambda
• Information on the engine tree (position and speed)
• Rugity signs of the road etc.

In addition to processing these signals, ECU sends signals to different devices:

OR Turn on: it can be a coil or more simultaneously (depending on the type of power unit)

OR Light indicator: its purpose is to send notifications on the presence of errors, both in the engine and directly in the block,

OR Ugelli: through them the fuel is injected into the cylinders. At the same time, the frequency of modification of the amount of fuel is in constant change, because it depends on certain conditions. In this case, the characteristics of the injectors arrive in the foreground (the reaction of their control components to the changes of the ECU commands, as well as their operating speed)

OR Test: diagnostic equipment are connected by special connectors if it becomes necessary to control the engine control unit and electronic motor.

ECU FEEN – Simptome

As a rule, a computer defect is characterized by the presence of the following symptoms:

• The unit does not respond to the signals transmitted by the Lambda probe – readers of the temperature sensors, as well as by the position of the acceleration flap
• There are no signals that indicate control of the different executive components: valve valve, ignition system, fuel injectors, fuel pump, etc.
• Mechanical deterioration – drivers or microcyrintitis burnt.

The main causes of a defective etc

The most common causes of the ECU defects are:

• Humidity on the computer surface
• Short circuit of the wiring
• Wrong polarity when connecting the battery
• Activation of the appetizer when the power bus is stopped
• If the battery terminal is removed with the engine on
• If, during the welding process, the electrode clings to the car wiring or its sensors
• Repair or install an alarm by an unauthorized person
• Damage to the ignition system (high voltage part) – these can be threads, ignition coils or distributor.

As you can see, the electronic control unit plays a key role in the functioning of the entire system. Therefore, the defects of this component must be eliminated.

Useful suggestions from automotive mechanics Vromn

In order to avoid situations associated with the electronic engine control unit failure, specialists recommend:

Do not remove the terminals from the battery with the engine on

Do not remove the battery terminals when you have contact, since this can lead to the destruction of the ECU firmware and stop communication with the key.

Monitor the integrity of the threads, the wiring that serves the engine control unit. During the operation of the car they can be destroyed due to the electrolysis process, causing defects of the device.

If it happens that following an accident or another mechanical impact, the computer has received a crack in the housing, it should be filled with a hermetic glue.

Do not allow violations of the natural way to cool the unit.

Check the condition of the sensors only when the connectors are disconnected from the computer.

Do not make changes to the engine control circuit and use sensors and other components strictly according to the equipment catalog for a certain car model.

To find out which controller it is on your car, you will have to remove the side frame of the car dashboard console.

If you come from Brasov and suspect that your car can have the defective engine computer, we recommend that you do a Online or telephone programming At our service, where you can leave your car in the best hands!