PCM vs. ECU

[MazdaSpeeder00]

whats the difference?

 

[mdaj]

They are the same thing.

 

[DiscreetSpeed]

power control module
electronic control unit

just different names thats all though same thing.
i would pcm is better suited...but thats just me

 

[MazdaSpeeder00]

Thats what I thought......ha so freekin mazda tells me they reset it a month ago and then all of a sudden my car quits runnin last week and they had to put a new one in!!! thats reassuring. Well at least i wont be flashed when/if I ever get my car back!

 

[Horse]

They are the same thing.

Technically - your wrong-

The PCM is the "chip" type Main Computer.
The ECM is the "Flashable" or upgradable type Main Computer.

ECM's can hookup to a computer and change their settings as you wish - PCM's have to change chips to alter settings.

 

[MazdaSpeeder00]

Technically - your wrong-

The PCM is the "chip" type Main Computer.
The ECM is the "Flashable" or upgradable type Main Computer.

ECM's can hookup to a computer and change their settings as you wish - PCM's have to change chips to alter settings.

Maybe they just called it a PCM then.... or do we have both...I dont see why we would .... Hell i thought they should have replaced the MAF but Ive been lost since day one of my car being in the shop

 

[Dexter]

Technically - your wrong-

The PCM is the "chip" type Main Computer.
The ECM is the "Flashable" or upgradable type Main Computer.

ECM's can hookup to a computer and change their settings as you wish - PCM's have to change chips to alter settings.

if PCM stands for Powertrain Control Module
and ECM stands for Electronic Control Module

i dont see how you can derive that one is a 'chip' type, and one is 'flashable', and technically, the 'flashable' type is TECHNICALLY a chip type that is flashable. not to sound like a prick, but can you provide me with some hard data to your claims?

 

[MazdaSpeeder00]

Whats up Brian


All I know is i got a new one!! So im looking at it as beneficial because the flash is a load of crap! Plus boost range is higher... But i have to get my car back first .. lol

 

[Dexter]

Whats up Brian


All I know is i got a new one!! So im looking at it as beneficial because the flash is a load of crap! Plus boost range is higher... But i have to get my car back first .. lol

Hey man

Whats the word on the car? they just replace the ECU thinking it will fix the engine or what? lol

 

[MazdaSpeeder00]

Hey man

Whats the word on the car? they just replace the ECU thinking it will fix the engine or what? lol

Well, they originally told me the were ordering an MAF... then i talked to a new guy today and he said...."well we put in a new PCM and its running now, but still has a miss." we think there is a leak somewhere and we should find it tomorrow"

So i dont know WTF they replaced. Im gonna get paperwork to find out...but I think the PCM is gonna be warrantied...(fingers crossed)

 

[Dexter]

Oh, wow, i thought you had mechanical engine damage. stupid me.

SO they didnt give you s*** about your mods? or you had to fight them tooth and nail?

 

[MazdaSpeeder00]

Oh, wow, i thought you had mechanical engine damage. stupid me.

SO they didnt give you s*** about your mods? or you had to fight them tooth and nail?

Well I thought internals were an issue but it seems not to be the case...

They originally said right away my warranty was voided before they even started the work... I said no way and called mazda and my local dealership.. Mazda called them and all of a sudden they were nice as could be.. Dont know what happened. But its still in the air but Im thinkin that most of the work is gonna be warrantied.

 

[Dexter]

Hrm, damn , thats cool then.

Where the hell are you at now? Did you drive to PA all by yourself?

 

[MazdaSpeeder00]

Hrm, damn , thats cool then.

Where the hell are you at now? Did you drive to PA all by yourself?

Yeah, Im back home now... but my car is still in PA.. Once its fixed i will be trying to find a way out there to pick it up..

 

[Dexter]

uhm, how the hell did you get home with the car still in PA?

 

[MazdaSpeeder00]

uhm, how the hell did you get home with the car still in PA?

****** Greyhound... and it sucked... It cost me 90 bucks and another 60 for a hotel

 

[jersey_emt]

ECU and PCM are the same thing.

PCM is the 'correct' name for it though.

 

[Horse]

if PCM stands for Powertrain Control Module
and ECM stands for Electronic Control Module

i dont see how you can derive that one is a 'chip' type, and one is 'flashable', and technically, the 'flashable' type is TECHNICALLY a chip type that is flashable. not to sound like a prick, but can you provide me with some hard data to your claims?

Yeah - go look at any older computer controlled car - it has a PCM - the new ones have ECU's = you can hook up a device similar to say; the crane power cams tuner to an ECU and change the control algorythm (sp?) whenever you want - but to do that to a PCM car you have to have a chip burned and physically change actual chips to modify the settings.

If you want proof - I dunno - im to friggen busy in school right now- Go open a few hoods and do some research. (encourage )

 

[jersey_emt]

Yeah - go look at any older computer controlled car - it has a PCM - the new ones have ECU's = you can hook up a device similar to say; the crane power cams tuner to an ECU and change the control algorythm (sp?) whenever you want - but to do that to a PCM car you have to have a chip burned and physically change actual chips to modify the settings.

If you want proof - I dunno - im to friggen busy in school right now- Go open a few hoods and do some research. (encourage )

Actually ECU is the old term, before OBD-II. The new term is PCM or ECM depending on manufacturer.

 

[Horse]

Actually ECU is the old term, before OBD-II. The new term is PCM or ECM depending on manufacturer.

Mabey Im backwards-

(braindead