Q: Is my ECM malfunctioning?

asked by on October 22, 2016

All of the different lights are on, but none of the problems are actually there. For example, running a diagnostic says tons of issues are present such as the alternator not working. But it its working fine.

Is this the ECM? Can I still drive it?

My car has 70000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Unfortunately, without additional detail as to the codes showing up, there is no way to diagnose what the issues may be. The alternator may be functioning intermittently without having a dramatic impact on the charging system for example. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose using the specific codes downloaded to properly narrow down the problem.

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


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I customize the Memory Remote Recall?
The Memory Remote Recall feature remembers the seat and side mirror settings that were last used by a driver, and returns to those settings when the remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter is used to unlock the vehicle. To turn the...
Needing transmission serviced.
Hi there. Your check engine light can come on for any number of reasons. If the vehicle is running fine and it just came on it may be as simple as a loose or faulty gas cap. If the vehicle...
Car stalling after idling for a few minutes
Firstly, the engine should be checked for failure codes and then the throttle body should be cleaned for any carbon build up that may be on the throttle plates. The idle position should be relearned as well so that the...
Toyota celica with engine replaced
The 7th generation Toyota Celica was in production from 1999 until 2006 so I am going to assume that your Toyota also falls into this time frame. The engine in your Celica is the 1ZZ-FE, which is a motor code...
Filled up this morning, after driving about 20 miles in the heat, strong gas smell inside and outside of the van. No visible leaks
Be careful of using some fuel additives. From my experience I've found some additives that will cause the fuel to boil in the heat. Also, depending on where you got your fuel, you may have got a "winter blend" of...
Diesel knock too high
Hello. If the knock is very high pitched then you may have contaminated fuel. If there is contamination or gasoline in there then this will occur. There are some diesel fuel additives that can be added to remedy this. If...
Car began knocking after an oil change, then exploded blowing 2 holes in the side and the oil pan off
It may be hard to figure out why the engine failed without knowing if the oil leaked out or was not filled up. I have seen situations where after performing an oil change the oil leaked out from an oil...
Grease viscosity
Just like with motor oils, different operating environments require different characteristics of different grease products. For example, some characteristics of the grease to consider are the temperature tolerance and the "shear" qualities. Do tolerances get tighter with operating temperatures? What...
loud noise from drivers side rear wheel
If a bearing in the differential has failed, the differential has to be opened up and rebuilt or replaced. You just want to make sure that the noise is not from a failed wheel bearing because if you have a...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2013 Cadillac XTS
There’s There’s no denying that the former king of luxury, quality, and name prestige in the American automobile market has suffered from a case of getting lost in the crowd in recent years. Their efforts at a comeback, however, seem...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2013 Mazda CX-5
Key Key Features The Mazda CX-5 has a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine that offers 155 hp at 6,000 rpm. The fuel economy is estimated at 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Vet
The The best car for a vet to own largely depends on the type of practice he or she has. Large animal vets are probably going to want something that delivers a fair bit of power, and possibly even towing...