The Engine Control Unit (ECU), also known as the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM), is a crucial component in modern vehicles. Interestingly, this control unit acts as the brain of the vehicle’s engine management system, monitoring and controlling various engine functions. Inside your car, the engine control unit manages the fuel supply and injection, fuel-to-air ratio, ignition, idle speed, and the timing of valve opening and closing. Most modern engine control units also include additional features such as cruise control, anti-skid brake control, and other features.
The engine control unit also receives input from various sensors located throughout the vehicle and uses this data to make real-time adjustments to parameters like fuel injection timing, ignition timing, and air-fuel ratio to optimize engine operation under different driving conditions. Just like the other control units in your car, ECU also stores diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). This is retrieved by our auto mechanics to diagnose engine issues and address them efficiently.
