Q: Why would my ecm or tcm overheat
My ECM or PCM is overheating I was wondering what would cause that
My car has 200 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Recommended Services
| Electric Problems Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
All the ECM’s or PCM’s will generate some normal heat from the transistors, processors, or chips. If you are having failure from a problem, then there should be codes stored inside the module that may indicate the problem. You may feel the housing is warm or even hot on sections that have heatsinks. If you begin to experience more severe drivability concerns, I would have a certified technician inspect your electrical system to see what may be causing the modules to overheat.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Passenger's side window not working.
Not only is being unable to roll down your Tahoe’s window a frustrating situation, it is also a safety concern too.If you are attempting to roll down your vehicle window through its’ electric button and either nothing happens or you...
Car shaking when I turn right
There is most likely a ball joint that has excessive movement and is failing. Ball joints allow your front wheels to turn back and forth. When they get excessive play in the joint, it can cause all kinds of clunks...
Car not moving after driving for a while
Hello. If you are losing throttle response as you drive then that can be caused by a number of things. If the Check Engine Light is coming on, then the computer needs to be scanned for codes. If no codes...
The car cranks but occasionally wouldn't start
If the battery is going dead after a couple of days then you have an issue with something drawing the battery down (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-diagnose-a-car-battery-drain_2). A battery that is low may not be able to start the engine since the starter will...
Where is the purge valve located on a Mazda 626
Hey there. On a 2000 Mazda 626 2.0L it is in the passenger side of engine compartment on the firewall. If it is a 2.5L, then it is under and near the brake master cylinder.
Fans aren't spinning
If the fans were working before the radiator replacement, it's possible a temperature sensor and/or wire were left disconnected or damaged. The O2 sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement) should not be unplugged but may not be the cause of the fans not working....
My car leaked all of the oil from the oil filter and now it's making a loud thumping noise - did the engine pop ?
Hi there: It's really difficult to tell you for certain what's wrong with your Saturn without completing a visual inspection. However, if you had to add half of a gallon of oil, that's not a good indication that internal components...
I have an AWD 2008 Lincoln MKX and the power train/malfunction light comes on
Hi There, The check engine light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) indicates that there is likely something wrong with the engine or transmission in your vehicle and will usually come on in conjunction with the vehicle going into the reduced power mode (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/reduced-power-light-is-on-inspection). This...
I got a oil change and now my oil has a major leak coming from the top what can this be?
You may have got oil spilled on top of the motor by whoever did the oil change. Double check the oil filter is not leaking and check oil level. If you suspect the shop did something wrong during oil change...
Related articles
What Is a Vehicle's Electrical Control Unit?
You’ll You’ll hear the term ECU bandied about in automotive circles, but what does it mean? The most basic definition is “electrical control unit” (ECU) which is a generic term applied to any system that controls a system or subsystem...
How Long Does an Engine Control Module (ECM) Last?
As technology continues to advance and move forward, so does the way our vehicles operate and run. It seems more and...
How to Get Volvo Dealership Certified
Volvo dealerships offer automotive technician jobs to mechanics who are certified through the Volvo Service Automotive Factory Education program.
Browse other content
Services
Cities
Estimates