What is Engine Control Module (ECU, ECM)?
An engine control unit (ECU) is an electronic control unit which controls various aspects of an internal combustion engine’s operation. The simplest ECUs control only the quantity of fuel injected into each cylinder each engine cycle. More advanced ECUs found on most modern cars also control the ignition timing, variable valve timing (VVT), the level of boost maintained by the turbocharger (in turbocharged cars), and other peripherals. ECUs determine the quantity of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters by monitoring the engine through sensors. These can include, MAP sensor, throttle position sensor, air temperature sensor, oxygen sensor and many others. Often this monitoring and control is done using a control loop (such as a PID controller). Before ECUs, fuel injection, ignition timing, and idle speed were directly controlled by mechanical and pneumatic sensors.
