This is why when it comes to locating your ECM it's best to consult your vehicle's owner's manual to find the exact location, but typically they are found in
the engine compartment
, under the passenger floorboard, under the seats, or behind the kick panels.
Where is the computer located in the car?
On most models the ECU is located
beneath the wipers behind the plastic trim
.
What is a computer box in a car?
Thanks to the
ECU or electronic control unit
(more commonly known as the computer box), the car of today is far safer and more efficient than it ever was. Simply put, the ECU is the brain of the automobile as it ensures the vehicle operates optimally at all times.
Where is the PCM located on a?
The PCM is most often located in
the engine bay near the fuse box
or inside the car near the fuse box. It can often also be located under the front windshield behind some covers.
How do you know if your ECU is bad?
- Check Engine Light stays on after resetting.
- Car was jump started on reverse polarity.
- Engine turning off for no reason.
- Water Damage or Fire Damage on the ECU.
- Apparent loss of spark.
- Apparent loss of injection pulse or fuel pump.
- Intermittent starting problems.
- Overheating ECU.
How do you know if your car has ECM?
The least invasive way to diagnose your ECM is to
connect an onboard diagnostic (OBD or OBD II) tool to the diagnostic port
. From there, you can scan to see if your engine computers have produced any error codes. There are many of these codes, and your diagnostic tool's manual should have information on what they mean.
How do I know if I need to replace my PCM?
- Your ‘Check Engine' Light is On. …
- Your Car Won't Start or Starts Roughly. …
- Sudden Loss of Gas Mileage. …
- You Failed Your Emissions Test. …
- Your Engine Stutters or Stalls. …
- Erratic or Random Shifting. …
- You're Receiving a PCM-Related Error Code. …
- What to Do If You Experience PCM Failure Symptoms.
What information does a car's computer store?
The information includes
vehicle speed, throttle position, airbag deployment times
, whether the brakes were applied, if seatbelts were worn, engine speed, steering angles and more. Manufacturers may also have up to 30 additional data points if they want, excluding, they say, GPS location, video and audio.
Can a car computer box be repaired?
ECU repairs can be very expensive. The part alone can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Fortunately,
an ECU can be repaired or reprogrammed in many cases
—thus preventing the need to actually replace an ECU.
Can AutoZone test my ECM?
If you take your car or truck in to the dealer or an authorized mechanic for service, your vehicle should have a
working PCM/ECM installed
. Otherwise, you may want to pursue another round of OBD-II diagnostic testing at AutoZone.
How much does it cost to fix PCM?
A typical pcm replacement cost comes to
between $500 and $1,500 on average
.
What causes PCM failure?
PCMs typically fail for one of two reasons:
voltage overloads
(often due to a short in a solenoid or actuator circuit) or environmental factors (corrosion, thermal stress or vibration). … Thermal stress and vibration can form microcracks in circuit boards (which are repairable).
Is the PCM and ECM the same thing?
Most people, including automobile technicians, confuse the two for each other. The main difference between the two is that
the ECM controls specific parts of the engine, regulating and sending commands
. While the PCM is used in newer models to control almost all engine functions.
How do you tell if your car's computer is fried?
- Check Engine Light comes on. An illuminated Check Engine Light is one possible symptom of a problem with the ECU. …
- Engine stalling or misfiring. Another symptom of a bad or failing ECU is erratic engine behavior. …
- Engine performance issues. …
- Car not starting.
Can I drive with a faulty ECU?
You absolutely cannot drive a car with a faulty ECU
. While it may be functional for a while the potential for catastrophic failure does exist. If the ECU fails completely then your car is not drivable.
What does resetting the ECU do?
“Resetting the ECU” is
the process of clearing all the long term memory from the ECU's memory
. These variables trim idle speed, fuel, spark, and more. The ECU will also store trouble codes for diagnostic capability.
