An ECU, or engine control unit, is an electronic component that controls the engine and other components on the vehicle. On the basis of information provided by the lambda sensor, coolant temperature sensor and accelerator pedal position sensor, for example, the ECU determines the optimum fuel injection or the ratio of oxygen and fuel that is mixed together. These sensitive electronic parts can malfunction due to short circuits, vibrations and temperature influences. However, that does not mean that these parts are always irreparable. ACtronics has therefore developed various remanufacture solutions for these computers, so that the car can safely get back on the road!
If you think of "Opel/Vauxhall" and "ECU", probably soon you would think of the Delphi Delco Multec. This infamous control device has been used by Opel/Vauxhall in cars with Z16SE (1.6 liter) engines and has caused some headaches in workshops in recent years. The Delphi Delco ECU is screwed to the side of the cylinder head, which means the ECU is susceptible to vibrations and temperature differences. This can cause the car to go into limp-home mode, cylinders stop working properly or the car is total non-start.
Opel Astra G
Opel Astra H
Opel Zafira A
Opel Combo C
Opel Vectra B
When you hear the "Bosch PSG 5" ECU, there will probably not be a bell that rings immediately. However, when we say that this is the part that drives the VP44 diesel pump, it probably becomes a lot more clearer for mechanics and technicians. The special thing about this ECU is that it has been used in passenger cars, trucks and tractors for a number of years succesfully. The complaints that we see with this part coming in, however, are less diverse. The vehicle may jerk, no longer start, or provide any power. In many cases this causes an engine management light (EML) to illuminate.
Audi A4 8D
Audi A6 4B
Ford Mondeo III
Ford Transit MK3
Volkswagen Passat 3B
How does a ECU work in a car?
What the Delphi Delco Multec is for the Z16SE engines, the Siemens Simtec 71 is for the 1.8 liter Z18XE engines. Although the ECU manufacturer differs, the cause of the defect is often identical. This ECU is mounted on the inlet side of the engine and is therefore also highly subject to temperature differences and vibrations. This can cause the car to go into limp-home mode, the car can shake and jerk and there is a chance that the cylinders will not work properly. The lack of control of the throttle, injectors and ignition coils are common complaints for this ECU.
Opel Corsa C
Opel Meriva A
Opel Vectra C
Do you have an Italian eight-valve with a 1.1 or 1.2 liter block from the beginning of this century in the workshop. Then chances are that you are dealing with a car with a Magneti Marelli IAW ECU. In many cases, this ECU is mounted on the throttle body and as a result receives the necessary heat and vibrations, causing components such as ignition drivers and connections to fail. The complaint we usually see with this unit coming into us for remanufacture is the lack of control of the ignition coils.
Fiat Punto 188
Fiat Panda 169
Fiat Palio 178
Fiat Seicento 187
Lancia Ypsilon 843
The 3 main reasons for a defective ECU
When the Volkswagen Group was looking for a control device for their 1.9 and 2.0 TDI engines, the German group turned to Bosch. In 2003 Bosch's latest ECU came: the EDC16U1. This ECU was used by Volkswagen until 2009. In contrast to the aforementioned ECUs, where temperature influences and vibrations mainly cause defects, the EDC16U1 often becomes defective due to external influences such as a short circuit. This fault could mean that the vehicle will not start with the injectors not activating, a fault along the 5 volt circuit, the internal Eeprom is causing problems or there are error codes for the throttle.
Volkswagen Golf V 1K
Volkswagen Transporter T5
Volkswagen Touran 1T1
Seat Leon 1P
Audi A3 8P
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