Need a replacement ECM?  We sell preprogrammed "plug and play" engine computers (ECMs, TCMs, and PCMs) for all makes and models!  We only sell OEM parts that are GUARANTEED to work with your vehicle.

Guild today and it'll send inside 48 hours: find the right ECM for your vehicle now »

dodge-ecm-location

repairing-vs-replacing-ecm

Have yous or someone working on your motorcar — possibly a repair shop or dealership — determined that your car's figurer is causing problems?  Usually known as an Engine Control Unit (ECU), Electronic Control Module (ECM), or a diverseness of other terms, the computer in your vehicle is responsible for countless functions.

So, how do you ready a broken ECM? You tin either repair it or have information technology replaced completely.

Repairing an Engine Command Unit of measurement (ECU)

Repairing an ECU can be catchy. For starters, this is non something that you or your neighbor tin can probably do successfully.  It'southward non like changing your oil or irresolute a tire.  The engine control unit of measurement is a figurer and a highly advanced slice of engineering.  ECU repair involves a complete disassembly of the unit and highly precise and detailed electronics work. Information technology is similar to repairing the computer or smartphone you're using to read this commodity.

All the same, purchasing a new engine command unit of measurement is expensive.  In addition to labor costs at a dealership or garage (which can run up to between $400 and $600), the price of the ECU itself tin be in the realm of thousands of dollars. Repairing an ECU using online repair services, on the other hand, will typically run you lot between $300 and $400, depending on the make, model, and twelvemonth of your vehicle.

On CarComputerExchange.com, nosotros have some of the best prices for repairing a bad ECU.  The ultimate costs depends on your vehicle.

The main disadvantage to repairing an ECU is that they are highly advanced pieces of technology that require specialized knowledge.  Because they affect nearly every other component in your engine, you need to exist sure that the computer is repaired correctly and that requires confidence in the store doing the work.  Again, information technology's not a unproblematic task like changing an oil filter or a spark plug.

And so, what's the master "pro" or advantage of repairing an engine computer versus replacing information technology completely? The main advantage over ownership new is that you lot will most likely salve a lot of coin equally you're supplying the computer.

Replacement ECU

In that location is, however, a heart basis between buying a brand new ECU and repairing your faulty ECU. You can supersede your damaged or broken component with a reprogrammed and re-flashed engine calculator.  This is what Car Calculator Exchange has done for nearly a decade.  The units that we use to reprogram and ship you are undamaged and originally taken from an otherwise damaged or unused vehicles (totaled vehicles, vehicles bought at auction, etc.).   Once we obtain a like-new ECM, nosotros then clear it of all existing data and continue information technology in stock as information technology awaits new programming.

Once a customer places an order, we so take that replacement ECU right off our shelves and programme it with the latest OEM software direct from the manufacturer.  Nosotros make certain that if yous're ordering a replacement computer for a 1996 Dodge Durango, you're getting a car computer that is the same (or better, as it's updated) equally the i yous'd become if yous went and bought a "new" 1996 Dodge Durango  with a working ECM.

The advantage to replacing your car'due south ECU with a reprogrammed unit is twofold. First off, you will save big on costs. If you swap out your existing damaged ECU for the newly programmed one yourself and so you will non have to pay for labor. Also, whereas make new engine control units tin can cost thousands of dollars, reprogrammed units will only typically be in the range of a few hundred dollars, depending on your vehicle'due south make, model, and year.

Secondly, when replacing an ECU instead of repairing it you lot know you are receiving a component that has never been damaged. While when repairing an engine computer yous may come across problems resulting from an inexperienced mechanic at the dealer, yous tin can residue a piffling easier when just getting a replacement that has never needed repairs in its service lifetime.

Ultimately, information technology doesn't matter to your auto whether or not you repair or replace your existing ECM, all that matters is that it works.  If your order from a trusted company like united states of america (with a lifetime warranty!), y'all don't have to worry most either road — but go with the cheapest and almost convenient selection for you and your vehicle!