📘 ECU Knowledge Base
Comprehensive technical documentation on ECU systems, torque models, emissions logic, sensors, maps and safe calibration procedures.
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Air Mass Measurement and Modeling
Detailed coverage of MAF, MAP, IAT sensors and volumetric efficiency calculations. How the ECU determines actual airflow.
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Air Mass Modeling (MAF vs MAP)
Speed-density vs MAF-based systems: how ECUs estimate airflow and the impacts on fueling calculations and tuning strategy.
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Boost Control Strategie
Boost control regulates turbocharger output via wastegate or VGT. The ECU manages target boost based on torque demand while protecting against overboost.
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Boost Deviation and Safety Limiters
Map sets that clamp torque when boost cannot reliably follow target.
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Boost Target Maps and Airflow Requirements
How boost target maps are built from torque demand and smoke constraints. Understanding the relationship between boost, airflow, and fueling.
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Calibrating for Fuel Quality Variations
Handling 95 vs 98 RON, winter/summer diesel, biodiesel blends.
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Catalyst Systems
Catalytic converters reduce harmful exhaust emissions through chemical reactions. The ECU monitors catalyst temperature and efficiency using oxygen sensors.
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Closed-Loop vs Open-Loop Strategies
Understanding where ECUs rely on sensor feedback versus pure map lookups. Lambda, boost, knock, and EGR control modes explained.
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Cold Start and Catalyst Heating Strategies
Extra fueling, timing strategies, and lambda management during cold start for catalyst light-off.
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Common Abbreviations in Calibrations
Quick reference for common ECU tuning abbreviations.
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Common Fault Patterns After Poor Tuning
Typical DTCs and symptoms when limiters or models are misaligned.
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Component Temperature Protections (ECT, IAT, Oil)
How ECUs reduce torque when coolant, oil, or intake temperatures exceed safe limits.
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Diagnostic Strategy and DTC Logic
How fault conditions, timers, and counters combine into Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
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DPF Limits, Backpressure and Fail-Safe Behavior
How ECUs react to clogged DPF filters, regeneration failures, and excessive backpressure.
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DPF System
The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) captures soot from exhaust gas. The ECU manages soot accumulation, regeneration cycles and differential pressure monitoring.
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Driver Wish / Pedal Interpretation
Driver wish maps translate accelerator pedal position into torque requests. Key calibration for throttle response and power delivery feel.
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Driver Wish and Pedal Interpretation
From pedal position to torque request: how driver maps, driving modes, and smoothness filters shape throttle response and drivability.
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ECU Map Types Glossary
Short descriptions of common map names in ECU calibrations.
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ECU Safety Architecture and Fallback Modes
How limp mode, safe values, and fallback strategies are organized in modern ECUs. Understanding the protection hierarchy.
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EGR System
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) reduces NOx emissions by diluting intake charge with inert exhaust gas. The ECU controls EGR flow based on operating conditions.
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EGT Sensors
Exhaust Gas Temperature sensors monitor exhaust heat for turbo protection, DPF regeneration control, and thermal management strategies.
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