An ECU (Engine Control Unit) or engine controller is nothing else but an electronic module that has the task of controlling the operation of a combustion engine.

The manner in which it coordinates the operation of the engine depends on what was programmed in the memory of the computer that is inside of it. Such data may have the form of maps or data tables. The task of the engine controller is to gather all the data that flow from the many various sensors located throughout the vehicle, e.g. from the from the exhaust system or from the cooling system.

ECU Engine control unit

Different kinds of computer configurations – which controller to buy? A controller can be purchased in various forms. Among the several kinds of car computer configurations, the following items can be found:

Engine controller: not logged-out or logged-out. Depending on whether the controller is reprogrammable after being taken out from the previous car, an intervention can be necessary by a specialist mechanic who will be able to reprogram the controller before it is fitted in a new vehicle.

A controller with an immobiliser

With this type of controller, the assembly can be accomplished by anybody. We do not have to be specialists when buying such a product – and we will also get it complete with a chip, that is a transponder key. Such a controller only requires to be deployed; it does not require any programming on your own or by any electronic engineer.

Synchronised controller. When buying such a controller it is best to send our damaged controller to the manufacturer in order to receive exactly the same as we need. When we already get one, we need to fit it in. It does not require any programming. The principle of the procedure is that an electronic engineer retrieves all the data from our damaged controller and then transfers them to the new item, which is then shipped to us. The controller is programmed to match the unique PIN code of the car. So, if we are not specialists in automotive electronics and we simply want to have the repair done as soon as possible – this service may prove the best and quickest for us.