{"id":171575,"date":"2025-05-27T19:17:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T02:17:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=171575"},"modified":"2025-08-22T17:02:05","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T00:02:05","slug":"where-is-the-computer-box-located-in-a-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-computer-box-located-in-a-car\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Is the Computer Box Located In a Car?"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 2<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column171575_d43310-a2 inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-cd9927  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-8dc48e\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading171575_ea32d5-de\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In modern vehicles, the main engine control computer (ECU) is typically located in the engine compartment.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s, some ECUs were placed inside the passenger compartment, with wiring connected through the bulkhead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In earlier models from the 1970s to the early 1980s, engine control computers were often found under the driver or passenger seat or mounted above the accelerator pedal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"708\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/computer-box-location-in-2016-F150-1024x708.jpg\" alt=\"computer box location in 2016 F150\" class=\"wp-image-181447\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The computer box in a 2016 Ford F-150 | Image Source: Richard McCuistian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>First, we need to clarify what we mean by &ldquo;computer box.&rdquo; Let&rsquo;s back up a few years to an older vehicle just for fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A typical 2010 vehicle contains 30 to 50 individual computers, also known as electronic control units (ECUs). Each one of those can be called a &ldquo;computer box.&rdquo; These computers manage various functions, including engine performance, transmission, braking systems, airbags, climate control, and infotainment. High-end models may have up to 100 ECUs, especially those with advanced driver-assistance systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern vehicle engine control computers are practically always located in the engine compartment. Older engine control computers in the 1980s and early 1990s might be located inside the vehicle&rsquo;s passenger compartment and out of the weather, but with the wires connected to the computer where its connector extends through the bulkhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still farther back into the 1970s and early 80s some engine control computers were located under the driver or passenger seat or mounted above the accelerator pedal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips On How to Access the Computer Box<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Find it first, then make sure you know how to disconnect it. If you don&rsquo;t know how and haven&rsquo;t done it before, don&rsquo;t go there. You can cost yourself a lot of money tinkering with it. You might look for a YouTube video on removing the PCM\/ECM on your vehicle just to get some info.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 2<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>First, we need to clarify what we mean by &ldquo;computer box.&rdquo; Let&rsquo;s back up a few years to an older&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-computer-box-located-in-a-car\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":171576,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1034,52,3758],"tags":[1323],"ppma_author":[2607,2985],"class_list":{"0":"post-171575","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-auto-repair","8":"category-diy","9":"category-electrical-system","10":"tag-engine-control-module-2","11":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Where Is the Computer Box Located In a Car? - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Most computer boxes can be found in one of three locations. 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Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust."},{"term_id":2985,"user_id":1646,"is_guest":0,"slug":"richardmccuistian","display_name":"Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/richard-mccuistian.png"},"author_category":"","user_url":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/author\/richardmccuistian\/","last_name":"McCuistian","first_name":"Richard","job_title":"ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician","description":"<div class=\"auth-social-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/richard-mccuistian-2681891b\/\" class=\"btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"linkedin\" aria-labelledby=\"linkedin\">LinkedIn<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/McCuistian\" class=\"btn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"instagram\" aria-labelledby=\"instagram\">Youtube<\/a><\/div>\r\n\r\nRichard McCuistian grew up in Alabama learning from his father who ran an automotive repair shop. Richard has worked for nearly 50 years in the automotive field as a professional technician, an instructor, a freelance automotive writer for Motor Age, ACtion magazine, Power Stroke Registry, and others (published every year since May 2000). He has developed training courses and written or edited training material for companies in the U.S. Canada, and the Netherlands, and even Bulgaria. He maintained an \u201cask a mechanic\u201d website for 10 years answering questions emailed to him from all over the world.\r\n\r\nRichard has an instructional automotive YouTube channel \u201cMcCuistian\u201d with 13,500 subscribers and over 1,300 videos. Much of his professional work requires photography and videography in shop environments, but Richard also enjoys taking pictures of landscapes, skyscapes, old barns and houses, small towns. He has produced a coffee table book of digital watercolors called \u201cMemories of South Alabama\u201d created from his personal photos, along with a dozen Christian fiction short original novels and a collection of short stories, all available in Kindle or softcover format. Richard has written a 2,500-word Bible study every week for the past 20 years and uses it to teach a small group at his church every Sunday morning.\r\n\r\n<strong>Credentials:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"author-list\">\r\n<li><p>ASE Certified for more than 30 years in 10 categories, including L1 Advanced Engine Performance and Light Vehicle Diesel.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Professional Mechanic\/Technician for 25 years with experience on diesel and gasoline engines, vehicles and equipment (including hydraulics).<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Spent 5 years in fleet maintenance, 20 years in independent shops and dealerships (VW, Mazda, Renault, Jeep, Ford, Lincoln), specializing in driveability and electronics for the last 14 years of his career at the same dealership.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Senior Contributing Editor at Motor Age Magazine, first published in Motor Age in May of 2000 and every year since. He has won two International Automotive Media Awards for technical articles published in trade magazines.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Has attended hundreds of hours of automotive training from OEMs including GM, Volkswagen, Mazda, Renault, Jeep, Chrysler, as well as additional training at events like KC Vision and MACS (Mobile Air Climate Systems Association).<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Taught college level auto mechanics for 19 years.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Has written for automotive training companies (including course development work for training companies in Canada and the Netherlands) and has been hired to teach professional trade show technician courses at multiple training events in Texas and Alabama.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>While still teaching at the college level, Richard launched a new automotive program in Geneva, Alabama, setting up a dual enrollment department in a new building, organizing the shop and classroom, teaching morning classes to high school students for 2 years while still teaching at the college in the afternoon.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<li><p>Richard\u2019s college program at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College worked at professional shop speed during his tenure to prepare graduates for production level work in the real world.<\/p><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171575\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171575"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=171575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}