Electronic Control Module (ECM). The ECM is a powerful computer that manages the Engines Ignition, Fuel Injection, and Emission Systems. In some vehicles it may control the operation of the Transmission and Anti-Lock Brake Systems as well. Read more: ECM
Category: Glossary of Car Terms
What is ECU?
Many modern cars with fuel injection have a central computer called an Engine Control Unit (ECU). This controls the car’s fuel and ignition systems by taking information from various sensors to determine how to run the engine with the most efficiency and power. Read more: ECM
What is Emissions?
Emissions are the byproducts of combustion. After combustion is complete, water, gases, and carbon are released through the car’s exhaust system as emissions.
What is Engine?
The power source that creates the energy to make a car move. An engine can be run by gas, diesel fuel, electricity, steam or any other number of power sources.
What is Electrical Wire?
Wire is what the electrical system uses to transmit electricity from one component to another. If a wire breaks, it creates a short circuit.
What is Electric Motor?
Electric motors are often used in accessories such as power windows or power seats to provide movement with minimial effort by the user.
What is Emissions Equipment?
Emissions equipment is equipment required by the government to keep a car’s exhaust emissions to a minimum. Emissions equipment includes catalytic converters, air pumps, and oxygen sensors.
What is Emergency Brake?
Also called the parking brake. The emergency brake is used when a car’s main braking system experiences a complete failure.
What is Flushing?
Flushing is a means of entirely replacing the fluid in a given system. For instance, when a technician flushes a cooling system, all the old coolant is removed and completely replaced with new.
What is Fan Belt?
Also called a drive belt or serpentine belt. Fan belts are used to drive the engine’s accessories, such as the alternator, power steering pump, or air conditioning compressor. A serpentine belt is a wide single drive belt that drives all the engine’s accessories.
What is Fan Clutch?
The heat-operated, viscous-fluid clutch that controls whether or not an engine fan rotates to help cool an engine.
What is Flywheel?
The flywheel helps an engine run smoothly. It also has teeth on its outside edge that engage with the starter motor to help start the engine.
What is Fuel System?
The fuel system is the system by which fuel is stored and delivered to each cylinder. The fuel system includes the fuel tank, fuel tank level sending unit, the fuel pump, the fuel filter, and fuel lines. For carbureted cars, the fuel system also includes the carburetor. For fuel injected cars, the fuel system also…
What is Fuel Injector?
A fuel injector is a nozzle that sprays fuel into the intake manifold or intake port.
What is Fuel Injection?
Fuel injection is a system by which fuel is directly sprayed into the intake manifold or intake port at high pressure. Fuel injection is often controlled by a computer, allowing precise monitoring of efficiency and performance by the car’s computer.
What is Fuel Pump?
The fuel pump moves gas from the gas tank and delivers it to the fuel injection system or carburetor.
What is Fan Motor?
An electric motor with a fan that controls the airflow to the interior of a car.
What is Fuel Starvation?
Fuel starvation occurs when fuel, for one reason or another, is prevented from reaching the carburetor or fuel injectors.
What is Fuel Filter?
A car’s fuel filter removes debris and contaminants from fuel before it reaches the carburetor or fuel injection system.
What is Fuel Tank Level Sending Unit?
This unit measures the amount of gas in the fuel tank and sends that information to your vehicle’s gas gauge and, if equipped, a low gas level warning light.