The ECU, or engine control unit, is a major component of your car's onboard computer. ... If you notice that your check engine light is always on, take your in vehicle in for service and request that they check the engine control unit.
What is an ECU problem?
For example, poor performance or unexplained drops in fuel economy or efficiency are often related to onboard car computer problems, or faulty ECU issues. A damaged ECU can cause problems when shifting gears in an automatic transmission, or cause sudden jerking or stopping that's similar to transmission problems.
What does the ECU control?
Fundamentally, the engine ECU controls the injection of the fuel and, in petrol engines, the timing of the spark to ignite it. It determines the position of the engine's internals using a Crankshaft Position Sensor so that the injectors and ignition system are activated at precisely the correct time.
What causes ECU failure?
The ECU has seals around it which are supposed to prevent moisture from entering inside. ... Moisture is a bad thing to have in an ECU because corrosion will form on its components. If the corrosion is not cleaned away quickly, it will cause these components to get damaged. Then you will have a malfunctioning ECU.Jun 30, 2020
Can you drive a car with a bad ECU?
It isn't recommended to drive with a faulty ECU, but it is possible to keep driving the vehicle. The longer you run with the deteriorating ECU, the more issues you're going to run into when it's time to bring it to the shop.Jun 28, 2021
What happens when your ECU goes bad?
If the ECU fails completely, it will leave the vehicle without engine management control, and will not start or run as a result. The engine may still crank, but it will not be able to start without the vital inputs from the computer.Jun 5, 2019
How long does it take to fix an ECU?
You can usually find the exact location of your car's computer module in the owner's manual and from there you basically unplug the old and plug in the new. If you take your car into a dealer to replace the ECM, it will usually take about an hour or two.Apr 25, 2019
How do I know if my motorcycle ECU is bad?
- Check Engine Light comes on. An illuminated Check Engine Light is one possible symptom of a problem with the ECU. ...
- Engine stalling or misfiring. Another symptom of a bad or failing ECU is erratic engine behavior. ...
- Engine performance issues. ...
- Car not starting.
How do I reset my VW ECU?
To reset the ECU you can unhook the battery and touch the + and - (not on the battery obviously), the ECU will also reset if you clear your DTC's with a VAG-COM.Nov 26, 2007