Replacing Your Engine Control Module
By
User:AllieCashel @timeAndDate(1279210762)
Imagine trying to do math on a calculator without its internal computerdelivery parameters, engine idle speed, and pollution emitted from your vehicle. On a basic level, it's a circuit board filled with information cells that interact and make mutual decisions with different systems throughout your car. They are normally responsible for checking your car's oxygen levels, coolant temperature and air flow pressure as well as controlling the radiator cooling fan, the air pump controls, the fuel pump (which is responsible for starting your car) and potentially more, depending on your car of course. This is probably obvious, but if your ECM fails all of the components it controls fail along with it. Keeping a close eye on your ECM and replacing it if necessary is not only a matter of maintenance, its a matter of safety.
Diagnosing the Problem
If your car is running and starting but constantly stalling, it's a good sign that your ECM may have failed. Unfortunately, its also a sign that other parts of your engine, like your battery, ISC moter, fuel pump and spark plugs for example, may failed. Because all of the symptoms are so similar, people often waste hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on replacing working engine parts before they figure out that they need to replace their ECM. If you're having stalling or idling problems, make sure you thoroughly check everything that could be causing them before you spend any money. Taking just a little more time to examine your car engine can save you hundreds of dollars!
While you're inspecting your car, look out for these obvious signs that point to a specific problem with your ECM.
* Check for marks or smells of burning on its inside and casing. After a few years of use, these computers will often fry.
* The manuals of many cars include directions for an ECM test. Check to see if you have one and run it, if your ECM fails you'll know you need to replace it!
* If you are also experiencing problems with systems related to your Engine Control Module, the stalling problems are more than likely related.
* Cars made between 1985 and 2000 tend to have computers that react very poorly to heat. If you have an older car that has been recently over heated, the ECM is most likely the base of your problem.
Repair Tips
* Locating your ECM can be a challenge. They are normally located under the dashboard, either behind the radio or the glove compartment.
* Opening and removing your ECM is normally safe, but make sure to turn off the battery before as a precaution. You don't want to get a bad shock!
* In most cases, there are only four screws holding the computer in place that are very easy to remove. Don't strip the screws though, they are made specifically for your ECM and are very hard to replace.
* Before you buy a standard Electronic Engine Control Module, make sure that your car company doesn't make one specifically for your car.
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