The engine control module (ECM), also known as the engine control unit (ECU) or powertrain control module (PCM), is a critical component present in almost all modern automobiles. It effectively serves as the main computer for many of the engine performance and drivability tasks of the vehicle. Your car’s ECM receives data from the engine’s numerous sensors and utilizes it to calculate and optimize the engine’s spark and fuel for optimal power and efficiency.

The engine control module is critical in contemporary cars, as it controls many (if not all) of the vehicle’s key operations. When the engine control module malfunctions, it may create a slew of troubles with the car, even rendering it undrivable in some circumstances. A faulty or malfunctioning engine control module will usually create a few critical indications that might warn the driver of a possible problem.