New automobiles today are a world apart from what were laughingly called cars in the old days. The difference is very much like going from a biplane to a fighter jet, both in terms of performance and complexity. Modern vehicles are essentially smart cars, wired throughout with a network of sensors and microprocessors that take full advantage of the revolution in information technology.
At the heart of your modern automobile is the powertrain control module (PCM), the big brain buried beneath your dashboard that controls all the other computers in your car. It tells your engine how to provide the right amount of power for the present conditions using the least amount of fuel necessary for optimal motor performance, while reducing pollution and premature engine wear. Understanding how it works and signs it could be going bad is essential for any automobile owner today.
Your Powertrain Control Module Is Probably Smarter Than Some People You Know
While that’s perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, the most modern PCMs are literally the brain amongst brains. All other control modules in your vehicle, including the engine control module (ECM) and transmission control module (TCM), report directly to the PCM and are controlled by it. Most manufacturers combine those units into the PCM, but not all do and technically they are still separate computers even when contained in a single housing. The PCM also has a large system of sensors located not just in the powertrain but throughout your vehicle.
Before the PCM became standard in the 1980s, automobiles used a variety of analog inputs to control the engine. By combining how fast the engine crankshaft was turning along with varying vacuum pressure, the distributor could determine when to spark and when to open and close the valves. The results were surprisingly good for the times, since gasoline wasn’t that expensive – and cars were much cheaper, too.
However, as fuel efficiency standards changed – as did people’s expectations – manufacturers had to find ways to get better gas mileage and produce more power with less and less fuel. The price also plummeted on microchips; just the amount of RAM in a single 4GB smartphone today would have cost about $420 million when Ford introduced its PCM predecessor, the electronic engine control, in 1975! Yet, these days, it’s become cheaper to use a PCM than not, so all vehicles have some variation of it.
A PCM Uses Over 100 Sensors to Adjust Engine Performance in the Blink of the Eye
Actually, much faster than that! The powertrain module takes all the data flowing in from the elaborate sensor network and combines it into a highly advanced algorithm for ideal performance many hundreds of times every second. It does this by comparing the results to a multidimensional performance map contained in massive lookup tables in its memory. The tables tell the PCM how to use the data for ideal performance so rapidly, it appears continuous to humans, just like how a television refreshes its picture so fast you can’t see it flicker.
The sensors also must operate very rapidly, and there’s a lot of them. Everything that could impact how your vehicle functions must be sent to the powertrain control module, including
- Air-to-fuel ratio
- Crankshaft position
- Electronic valve control
- Exhaust gas ratio, such as oxygen content
- Idle speed
- Ignition timing
- Performance monitoring
- Variable valve timing
All the other modules, such as cruise control or anti-theft, also report to the powertrain control module, and all this information is combined in the algorithm to maximize performance and vehicle safety.
The PCM Is Pretty Hardy but It Can Wear Out (or Be Zapped)
The good news is that a problem with the PCM is often actually a sensor problem. The sensors are closer to the action and get a lot of vibration and heavy wear, so they tend to go bad first. Plus, the PCM is housed in a durable protective case and is often tucked safely behind the glove compartment (which also can make it hard to access), so it tends to last longer.
However, like all real-world components, it can malfunction. Microscopic flaws in manufacturing or transient voltages in your car’s electrical system can harm it. A common cause of the PCM breaking is improperly connecting the cables while jump-starting a vehicle, so make sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions of where to hook up the positive and negative clamps. Harsh environments and bad seals are other causes of early wear on the PCM as well.
Once the powertrain control module starts malfunctioning, it needs to be replaced. Since its so integral to engine performance, leaving a bad one in control not only reduces efficiency and pumps out more pollution, it can rapidly degrade engine components and cause serious damage. Once you have symptoms of a bad PCM, you should have your vehicle tested as soon as practical.
Signs of a PCM Going Bad
Above all else, the most common sign of a broken powertrain control module is the check engine indicator on your dashboard. Everyone dreads that light for good reason! However, the sensors could be the cause, so don’t forget to check them out as well. Other causes of the check engine light include damaged spark plug wires, worn-out catalytic converter, mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor, or even a loose or missing gas cap. If the indicator light comes on intermittently, that’s more likely than not a problem with the PCM or a sensor. But they aren’t cheap, so make sure to have it tested before replacing it.
Other signs include noticeable engine performance problems, reduced fuel efficiency and stalling while idling. Again, if the problem comes and goes, that would tend to indicate an issue associated with the PCM.
If you hear a rattling sound from the engine that can’t otherwise be explained, it could be a sign that the spark isn’t properly igniting the fuel. It can happen while idling or especially during demanding conditions, such as towing a heavy load. This is a strong indicator that the powertrain module isn’t correctly controlling the ignition system.
Most PCMs will give many years of good service, and they indisputably have made automobiles far superior to the cars of old. But once it starts showing signs of wear, the sooner you replace it the less damage it can do to your automobile.
