Signs & Symptoms of a Failing ECU/ECM! (Engine Control Unit or Engine Control Module)

In today’s video, Zach dives into the heart of your vehicle's electronic brain – the ECM/ECU/PCM/DME – to shed light on its critical role, common symptoms of failure, underlying causes, and effective fixes. Whether you're a seasoned mechanic or a curious car owner, this video will hopefully equip you with the knowledge needed to diagnose and address ECM-related issues, ensuring optimal engine performance and reliability. Commonly referred to as the ECU, or Engine Control Unit, it also goes by many other terms and acronyms: ECM (Engine Control Module), DME (Digital Motor Electronics), or PCM (Powertrain Control Module).

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00:13 – What Does ECU Stand For?
01:19 – What Does a Vehicle’s ECU or ECM Do?
02:38 – Signs & Symptoms of an Engine’s ECU or ECM
05:18 – How to Diagnose a Faulty or Failing ECU or ECM

[vanessamartin]

Multiple faults on dash including "check esp", "check hill start assist", "check auto gear box". Car runs fine for 10-20 minutes prior to faults displaying on the dash. When faults appear, we just turn off the car, wait 30-60 seconds and then start it up again and all faults are gone for another 10-20 min. Ran diagnostic check and it showed a bunch of faults, including lots of short circuit earth wire faults. 2012 Renault Megane III 1.5 dci automatic.

[monicatheshyone]

My 2012 Honda accord was diagnosed with the u1055 code ECM and the lights are popping up for the TCS, ABS and handbrake light. What do I check and have to fix, to get those light to go away? Can I drive, without issues?

[sierraproduction]

I believe my ecu/ecm is failing on my 18’ camaro throwing all those codes and giving a list of faulty sensors. Is it better to replace ecu first rather than going down the list and fixing all the list of codes? Ive replaced a couple of the codes like spark plugs, 2 ignition coils, and has fixed the misfires. now giving oil pressure fault sensor. And still idling rough

[clutchsp]

I was getting an electrical burnt smell in the car. With an ALT overcharging, this fried many things in the system.

[ericjimenez]

I recently messed up my truck (2003 Silverado 1500) I connected my light bars positive wire to get power and connected it to my f/pmp relay and while I was doing it my truck shut off and ever since no crank, no start then I moved around the fuses and it starts but the dash doesn’t work and it says low power, when I go to turn off the truck it doesn’t turn off the engine keeps running for a minute then turns off . Any suggestions?

[John-tbmu]

my 1993 corvette is showing a code 44 that means 02 sensor or running lean. 02 sensor with many other items have been changed on this vehicle. To list would be to long, but I still get H44 code and the vehicle runs good. Sometimes on idle at red light a little rough and light will come on then the light will go off but vehicle runs good. Changed prom in ecm thinking that would help still showing H44 code. Some times on the idle runs fine sent the ECM out last winter to SAI Electronics in IL and they said there was no problem. Cannot figure why this code continues to come up H44 is left bank 02 sensor. Both have been changed along with the cats to new magna flow cats. Many other items have been changed on the vehicle but continue to get code 44 with check engine light. At wits end

[Hollydudd]

Changed the alternator found out it was faulty due to the solenoid leaking oil onto it. Fixed that as well. Then a big misfire ran code to see which cylinder swapped coils, same cylinder, swapped plugs same cylinder. Changed the injectors no issues 3 months later leaking oil again and I’m contemplating the PCM considering everything else I’ve done in the past 5 months.
This started happening 2 days after an oil and transfer case changing.
Codes are telling me ecm/isu 83-11 and power source failure 61-11
Which oil may have got into the alternator connector so could be that.

[train]

What would cause my ac and radio to be able to turn on without key in the ignition? It's a 2008 pt cruiser 😫

[hendricks]

I got a 91 Ford f350 7.5 i have replaced almost everything but it still misfires. Could my PCM be a problem?

[jcastro]

My engine light came on and I hit it checked and it says code P0420 Bank 1 Caralyst system efficiency was below threshold for a predetermined period of time don’t know what this means but I’m afraid it might cost lots of money. My car is running goid but the only thing I have noticed in the past is that it fiesnt go fast when I push the gas pedal it is super slow

[ttamnosredna]

2011 chevy sonic. Replaced coil pack and spark plugs. Car runs well, then traction control light comes on with a flashing check engine light where the car runs rough. Possible ECM issue?.

[d]

My car engine runs just fine but in the last few years when I’ve gone out to start up it like misfires and the engine light is flashing becomes undrivable. I go inside wait 10 minutes and start it up and it runs just fine. It’s done like three or four times in the last few years.

[derrickdagastino]

My truck is high idling and at times it wont start when i turn the key then it will eventually starts it likes to do it when it rains or is cold. I thought it was initially a bad tps but it didnt fix the issue. When i drive it over 40 it high revs and when its sitting it revs up to 1500 rpm and i used a scan tool and it did say a ecu code on the scanner. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

[dorianvujica]

Ive got 23 fault codes. 2017 vw golf tsi 1.4L

Ranging from misfires in cylinders 1 and 2, starter motor issues (car starts fine first)

As well as the steering angle sensor

[justinainglin]

I have a 2007 maxda cx7 sports. It wont idle unless warm. So when I start the car I have to pump the gas to warm the engine and it is misfiring. Literally aounds like it is farting from the exhaust. Would this be an ecu issue?

[jmzzmrlz]

On my 2017 Subaru Impreza the module did get change and it run really good. Then all the sudden I get the stupid lights on with the check engine light and hill start system. What’s next ??

[zanzimez]

For some reason the check engine light does not come on at all on my car, I have a ‘77 porsche 924 and it does not come on despite my car misfiring constantly. Cant even accelerate/ step on the gas without it misfiring and the car wants to cut off and is sputtering. Any ideas on what it could be?

[goodvrsevil]

what would cause a fuel pump to shut off, i have a 2006 ford f150 4.6 it starts fine runs for like 2 minutes then idles down and stalls. the on board system tells me to check gauges, everything seems ok. then i try to star it from that point and it just cranks, no start, but if i turn the ign key to off and it will repeat the run and stall, i took the plug off the fuel pump driver module .and jumped the 2 outer wires and it starts and stays running. can not figure what is going on any suggestions!

[Justin-fqvj]

I make sure the battery is strong first.Then check fuses. And if some don't light up but are good then i find the relay that has control over them. Some times there are two related relay's that go to the same thing. Same with fuses
And they are in different places. Most auto's have two or three fuse boxes that have relays in them too. First of all of them is the ECM or ECU relay if you get a no communication read.🥴Also you may have a single relay by itself somewhere like under the dash on driver's side fuel pump. Also on the positive battery post have fuses some times. What next 🤔 well sensors another word for fuse's that mostly control the motors running in some form. For a awesome fuse and relay layout to your car's fuse boxes go to Google and ask for start my car. U will be amazed when you see it. 👍✅👀

[annetterodriguez]

My 2018 equinox tire pressure not working gas gauge not working and my key fob not working all three stop working in the same time what can it be