

The ECM plays a vital role in engine performance. You’ll end up paying more for gas than you would with a functioning ECM. Typically, the vehicle consumes more fuel than it should in this situation.

A faulty ECM disallows your engine from knowing how much fuel to burn in the combustion process. Poor Fuel Economyīad fuel economy may occur from a failing ECM. Car-starting problems are not exclusively caused by the ECM, so it's best to get a complete diagnosis by a professional technician to accurately determine the cause. The engine may still crank, but it will not be able to start without the vital inputs from the computer. If the ECM fails completely, it will leave the vehicle without engine management control, and will not start or run as a result. Car Not StartingĪ bad ECM may lead to a vehicle that won’t or is difficult to start. A faulty ECM may cause the vehicle to experience a reduction in fuel efficiency, power, acceleration. If the ECM has any issues, it may throw off the timing and fuel settings of the engine, which can negatively affect performance. Engine Performance IssuesĮngine performance issues are another symptom of a possible problem with the ECM. The symptoms might come and go and not appear to have any sort of pattern to their frequency or severity. A faulty computer may cause the vehicle to intermittently stall or misfire. Engine Stalling or MisfiringĮrratic engine behavior may also indicate a bad or failing ECM. Have a mechanic scan the computer for trouble codes to diagnose whether the issue is with the ECM, or elsewhere on the vehicle. There are cases, however, where the ECM illuminates a Check Engine Light mistakenly, or when there is no issue present. The Check Engine Light usually illuminates when the computer detects a problem with any of its sensors or circuits. Check Engine Light Turns OnĪn illuminated Check Engine Light is one possible symptom of a problem with the ECM.

A bad or failing ECM may produce any of the following 5 symptoms to alert the driver of a potential problem. When the ECM has any issues, it can cause all sorts of problems with the vehicle, and in some cases even render it undrivable. The ECM plays a crucial role in newer vehicles, where many of the essential functions of the car are controlled by the ECM. The ECM takes the information from the engine's various sensors and uses that information to calculate and tune engine spark and fuel for maximum power and efficiency. It essentially functions as the main computer for many of the vehicle’s engine performance and drivability functions. The engine control module (ECM), also commonly referred to as the engine control unit (ECU) or powertrain control module (PCM), is one of the most important components found on virtually all modern vehicles.
