How an Engine Control Unit affects performance
Engine Control Units, which add to your Engine Management Unit systems, are essential for when it comes to vehicles. At ECU Technologies we complete both the ECU testing and ECU repairs, As a complex job, we make sure your ECU is efficient and repaired. But how does an Engine Control Unit affect performance?
Basics of an ECU.
So, essentially an ECU (Engine Control Unit) or Engine Management Unit controls the injection of the fuel, within a petrol engine and the timing of the spark to ignite it. It all determines the position of the engine’s internals, which use a Crankshaft Position Sensor, so the injectors and ignition system are activated at the correct time.
When looking at an ECU, this particular part has a high level of sophistication. It will be made of microprocessors and sensor data that is usually processed in real-time. This complex part can be reprogrammed using a new computer code, or to replace the microchip.
How does an ECU affect performance?
Ignition Timing
When it comes to Engines they require a spark, which starts the combustion process within the combustion chamber. The ECU will adjust the timing of that spark to help optimise both the power output and fuel economy. Once it detects any engine knock and decides a direct symptom of the ignition timing settings, it therefore adjusts to prevent it.
Valve Timing
When engines use Variable Valve Timing, they are also controlled by the ECU. This helps to manage the time within the engine cycle, when the valves are open. When vehicles are at higher speeds this will make the valves open much sooner. This helps to create an airflow within the cylinders.
Regulating Idle Speed
The ECU can also be fitted to maintain control over the idle speed. The idle speed is the rotational speed that an engine runs at when the engine is idling. This is created when the engine is uncoupled from the drivetrain and the throttle pedal is not depressed.The Crankshaft position sensor looks at the monitoring of the engine RPM. This sensor plays a huge role in engine timing for fuel injection, spark events and the valve timing.
When there is direct control over the idle speed, it is then handled by a programmable throttle stop or idle air bypass stepper motor. The idle needs to be accurately anticipated for proper control for it to be effective.
Advantages of an ECU
If you own a high-performance automobile then I’m sure you can appreciate that the ECU is an unbelievable part of your motor. It also adds to an engine management system that helps to create better fuel and more responsive performance. It will also help to create an overall smaller amount of emission coming from your vehicle, which creates a healthier environment.
The amount of data that an ECU processes is unbelievable, which all adds to the masses of real-time data it produces.
Buying a new ECU can be expensive and with the current situation of Covid-19, this may not be the most logical process to sort your cars issues. At ECU not only do we do ECU Testing, we also do ECU repairs, so when we can repair we will do that, making it more cost efficient for our customers.
Check out this infographic that Visually has created, giving you a basic understanding on the master itself; the ECU.
