4 Causes Of ECM Failure on Your Vehicle
Blog
4 Causes Of ECM Failure

4 Causes Of ECM Failure

Syed Nouman
June 08, 2022
Causes of ECM Failure
An Engine Control Module (ECM) is undoubtedly one of the most important parts of a vehicle that all car owners should never neglect. Responsible for a wide number of functions in the vehicle’s engine, the ECM is primarily responsible for facilitating an efficient fuel distribution in the vehicle’s engine as well as maintaining the diversion of power and torque, essentially ensuring that your vehicle runs smoothly. If your ECM fails, your vehicle will run into multiple troublesome problems such as engine failure, sudden drop in acceleration, rising fuel consumption, and others alike.

Since the ECM is such a vital part of a vehicle, learning about what causes them to fail can help you tremendously cut repair costs by avoiding them. Read on to learn more about the causes of ECM failure.

  • Moisture and Corrosion
Just like any other electronic equipment, moisture and corrosion can cause significant damage to the ECM, causing them to malfunction. Apart from the ECM itself, moist and corroded wiring and harnesses can also cause the vehicle’s engine to run into problems. In some cases, the ECM can even short out, resulting in the engine being unable to start.
One common way moisture gets to ECMs is through corroded ECM seals which are common in older cars. ECM moisture and corrosion damage thus often take place in aged vehicles that have continued exposure to outdoor elements.

  • Jump Starts
ECMs need very specific power and voltage levels to function well. As such, when people jump-start their vehicles, the surge can short circuit their ECMs, resulting in the vehicle being unable to start.
Jump starting a vehicle can also be hazardous and without proper execution, can even lead to fires or explosions if acid vapors leak out of the vehicle’s vents. Hence, it is advisable to be extra careful when jumpstarting a vehicle, or better still, seek professional assistance.

  • Replaced Starter Issues
Replacing your vehicle’s starter with a newer model may result in a damaged old ECM. This is because most of the modern vehicle starters exceed the critical voltage regular responsible for controlling the power that enters the ECM. As such, we recommend that older vehicles replace their starters with used auto parts instead of new ones. Not only are used auto parts more affordable but purchasing them from a trusted dealer like Best Use Auto Parts also means that the parts have been tested to be functional and in good condition.

  • Loose Grounding and Dead Cells
Just like jumpstarting a vehicle, loose grounding and dead cells/ batteries can also cause problem codes and faulty inputs. Loose wires present in the harness can also cause short circuits and even blow-ups. These can be caused by welding damages or physical accidents that leave the ECM and battery grounding out of position. We, therefore, recommend vehicle owners to regularly check and look out for such signs. After all, damage to a vehicle’s ECM is mostly irreversible.

If you have been thinking of replacing vehicle parts like starters and engines, then Best Use Auto Parts might just be what you are looking for.
More Like This:
ECM failure