Hello – I would first ask for the basis of that diagnosis, including the problem codes which would confirm the sellers statement. Buying a vehicle under these circumstances is a very risky transaction in my experience. While everything represented to you may be accurate and legitimate, it suggests detailed technical knowledge on the part of the seller, but without making the repair. It may also not be a complete assessment of issues with the vehicle. I recommend a pre-purchase inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to vehicles location, diagnose any and all problems, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
The ECU is an electronic device responsible for ensuring optimal engine performance by collecting information from various sensors located in the injection, ignition and abs and in the traction control system. By processing this information, it adjusts the engine`s operation to ensure its maximum efficiency.
Electrical and Electronic – Engine control unit (ECU) MAZDA.
ECM stands for Engine Control Module, and ECU is short for Engine Control Unit. These two acronyms represent the same component and are used interchangeably.
You can use a bench test setup, which simulates the car`s electrical system and sensors, to connect your ECU and check its operation. You can also use a software tool, such as an ECU simulator or a diagnostic scanner, to communicate with your ECU and monitor its parameters, codes, and outputs.
You may have heard this referred to as an engine control unit or an engine management system before, too. An ECU`s main job is to keep the engine working smoothly. On cars fitted with electronic fuel injection, an ECU can control the amount of fuel that enters the engine`s cylinders.
An electronic control unit (ECU) is a small device inside a vehicle that controls one or several electrical systems in that vehicle. It tells electrical systems what to do and how to operate. ECU`s core is a microcontroller and it is controlled by embedded software.
The easiest way to perform an ECU reset is by removing the fuse from the fuse box. It is a very simple process, and all you have to do is pull out the car key, remove the fuse from the fuse box, and then put it back after about 15 to 20 seconds. Doing this clears any long-term memory stored in the car`s ECU.
A car`s ECU, or engine control unit, should actually never have to be reset. It may, however, help with such issues as a stubborn check engine light or restoring your car to factory settings.
Because the engine control unit is programmed differently for different vehicles, replacements can`t be “generic.” In fact, even one out of the same year, make, model and engine of a donor car may not work in a seemingly identical car without the ECU being specifically programmed, typically to match the recipient car`s …
Today`s vehicles may contain 100 ECUs or more, controlling functions that range from the essential (such as engine and power steering control) to comfort (such as power windows, seats and HVAC), to security and access (such as door locks and keyless entry).
A damaged ECU can cause problems when shifting gears in an automatic transmission, or cause sudden jerking or stopping that`s similar to transmission problems.
Fortunately, while a malfunctioning ECU can cause all kinds of issues with your car, it is often surprisingly simple to fix, whether the issue lies with the ECU hardware or software.
Disconnecting your battery and draining the power to cause an ECU reset is one of the most common fixes for a check engine light that won`t go away on its own. Doing so is equivalent to a hard reboot on a desktop computer, which is a standard way to eliminate many common problems.
The engine control unit is a component that can last the lifetime of the vehicle, or develop issues after 100,000 miles.
The various types of ECUs include Electronic/engine Control Module (ECM), Powertrain Control Module (PCM), Transmission Control Module (TCM), Brake Control Module (BCM or EBCM), Central Control Module (CCM), Central Timing Module (CTM), General Electronic Module (GEM), Body Control Module (BCM), Suspension Control …
The ECU fuse is the Electronic Control Unit fuse. It is a fuse that protects the electronic control unit of a vehicle fr. Continue reading.
The most common source of ECM failure is in one of the wiring harnesses. If the wires to the transmission or fuel injectors become corroded, they can lose conductivity, leading to a failure. Fortunately, these issues can usually be resolved by replacing the corroded wires.
On the ECU there will be a sticker with the Make and some serial numbers. Every ECU has its own format for identifying the ECU`s model. Another way is to use the 2x PDF files below and locate your cars, make, model and it will list your ECU brand and model.
Car batteries have electronic cells which need to function in order for the ECU to function. If any of the cells in your car battery are dead, then your ECU is going to fail soon afterward. Once all the cells are dead, the battery is considered dead and your entire vehicle won`t be able to function.
Cars that have an ECU (engine control unit) can sometimes lose power if the system detects a mechanical error in the car that doesn`t actually exist. As a result, the ECU tells the car to lose power, or in some cases stop completely, to prevent an accident.
The ECU affects almost every aspect of your engine`s performance – from torque to fuel efficiency – so modifying it can be an excellent way to increase your car`s performance.
ECU re-programming is not required because most repairs are done on the hardware parts and not on the software programming. Therefore, the programming of the ECU will never be altered.
If your vehicle is diagnosed as having a faulty ECU, please do not consider buying a second-hand replacement unit. In many cases it will simply not work at all, or may appear to function, but may compromise safety, performance and economy, or the correct operation of other units.
The Primary purpose of OBD Scanner is to provide data on Performance checks on the car – using data from engine and transmission and finding in faults. However – resetting ECU is not something which OBD Scanners are capable of.