Modern ECMs are now able to have their operating and calibration software reprogramed, in order to fix or overcome any problems that may occur, during the operating life of the vehicle. When purchasing an Injectronics remanufactured exchange ECM, the unit is supplied in an unlocked state, and in most cases instructions will be supplied on what is required to link the ECM upon installation. These particular modules cannot be used in another vehicle unless they are electronically unlocked, whilst some others cannot even be unlocked with a scan tool.

There are many types of modules in a vehicle which are interlinked and are locked to a specific vehicle once programmed. The engine ECM may need to be linked to one or more of the following upon installation: the immobiliser module, the body control module (BCM), the powertrain interface module (PIM), the instrument cluster or the electronic ignition switch (EIS).Īlternatively, there are some vehicles that will automatically link the ECM after installation, just by turning on the ignition. When installing another ECM, most will require the engine ECM to be matched to the immobiliser.ĭifferent manufacturers use different terminology to describe this process such as marrying/linking/aligning/parameter reset etc. Immobiliser Matching / Programmingīy law, all passenger vehicles now have sophisticated engine immobiliser systems installed.

Listed below are some of the different types of programming a technician may need to perform when fitting an ECM, followed by the programming requirements on some of the more common vehicles found on Australian roads today. This unit was an analogue control module, and as such did not have any ability to retain or provide engine fault codes, and there was certainly no need for programming upon installation or replacement of the module.įast forward 30 years and todays ECMs are completely digital, they are electronically linked to enable communication within the vehicle to various other modules in the vehicle, they have the ability to retain and provide multiple fault codes and may require one of many types of programming if Installing a new, a remanufactured or a second hand module. It has been 30 years since the first Holden and Ford vehicles were introduced to Australia with an electronic Engine Control Module (ECM).īack in 1984, the Holden VK Commodore and the Ford XE Falcon were both fitted with a Bosch LE system ECM.

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