Information is sent to the module from sensors throughout the vehicle, including oxygen sensors, crank and camshaft position sensors, mass air flow (MAF) and manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensors, coolant temperature sensors, throttle position sensors, and more. The ECM/ECU is a module that oversees all engine function and allows the vehicle to operate properly. What is an ECM (or ECU), and What Does It Do? These two acronyms represent the same component and are used interchangeably. Nowadays, cars and trucks are fully computerized, from the engine and transmission to the dash, interior, and navigation systems.ĮCM stands for Engine Control Module, and ECU is short for Engine Control Unit.
By the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, mechanical systems like carburetors and distributors began to be faded out in favor of electronic fuel injection and coil-on-plug ignition, among other things (carburetors and distributors were installed until 1990 and the early 2000s respectively).Ĭomputerized engine management came along with these changes in technology.Īdvances in engine management led to better performance, reliability, and fuel economy (once the kinks in the early systems were worked out). In the late 1960s, the first electrical engine management systems were developed for passenger vehicles. These older technologies worked well, but lacked accuracy and could be finicky. You might also imagine an old muscle car with a carburetor that needs to be adjusted by hand so the engine runs properly. The rotation of the engine dictated when the spark plugs would ignite the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. Ignition timing (spark), for example, was controlled by a distributor, connected directly to the engine with a distributor shaft. Before the rise of computerized control modules, engine functions were set and controlled mechanically or pneumatically. Let’s go over what these acronyms stand for, and what they do! History of Vehicle Engine Managementīefore we get into what all those acronyms stand for, let’s look at the history of engine management. It can be confusing to decode these terms and understand what they mean and ultimately, know what’s wrong with your car. Your vehicle contains many control modules, but when it comes to the engine and drivetrain there are three common types the ECM, TCM, and PCM. Control modules monitor and dictate different values, allowing the car to run correctly. Computer modules control nearly all mechanical parts of modern vehicles (engine, drivetrain, transmission, etc.). Your vehicle is a complex array of mechanical and electrical components working together while you drive.
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