The engine control module (ECM) is the most critical part of your vehicle. It’s a computer system that collects your car’s essential data from different sensors and automatically adjusts the engine’s functions accordingly. This helps ensure that your vehicle performs at its best without compromising fuel efficiency.
Since ECM is such a vital component, it’s also essential to be aware of any worrisome signs that might indicate a failure. If your ECM fails or gets damaged, it can severely affect the engine’s efficiency and performance. A car with a failed or failing ECM may not even start at ignition.
But like any part of your vehicle, its ECM is also prone to damage and wear over time. And there are some simple ways to ensure that your ECM doesn’t fail.
Regularly inspect your ECM’s harness for any signs of moisture damage or corrosion
The most common causes of ECM failure are moisture damage and corrosion. There’s nothing more harmful to your car’s computer system than these two culprits. While every ECM harness has a seal that prevents moisture from seeping inside the ECM, it can eventually wear out and leak. Moisture might enter the harness and cause irreparable damage to your ECM’s electrical components when this occurs.
Similarly, the ECM harness’s integrated microchips connected to the actuators and sensors through wires are susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion affects the current flow through wires and increases the risk of shorting out in the ECM harness.
That’s why you must always ensure there are no corrosion or signs of moisture inside the ECM harness.
Ensure that your battery is in excellent health
Another common cause of ECM failure is low voltage. When your vehicle’s battery isn’t charged properly or is in poor health, the current flow and the voltage may be affected. The ECM requires a minimum voltage to perform efficiently. That’s why you must always keep your battery’s health in check.
Hire certified technicians to repair or reprogram your car’s ECM
Since ECM is the brain of your vehicle, you cannot trust it with someone who is not certified. Whenever you’re looking for ECM repair or reprogramming, always hire certified technicians with excellent knowledge and experience.
If you think your ECM is acting up or showing signs of failure, it’s best to get it upgraded and repaired as soon as possible. For ECM reprogramming or repairs, CAT ECM is here for you. We offer truck ECM replacement, ECM upgrades, car ECM repair, and much more.
Contact us today to learn more about our service.