There are some parts in a vehicle more crucial than others in keeping your ride on the road. They might be the used rear differential or the engine control module. These are pretty essential parts for your vehicle to run by the book or even to be safe, but a replacement will cost a lot if it has to be bought brand new. The good thing is that buying a used rear differential and also a used engine control module can actually be quite practical and inexpensive.
Today, we’re going to explore what those parts do, why buying used ones might save you money, and the best practices on how to get reliable parts for your car.
What Is a Rear Differential and Why Is It Important?
The rear differential is an integral part of your car’s drivetrain if you have a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle. Mainly, its primary function is to enable the differential wheels to rotate at different speeds while distributing power to them as well. This is crucial when cornering because the outside wheels must cover more distance than the inside wheels. If your differential does not function properly, you risk damaging your tires, axles, and other parts of your drivetrain in more expensive repairs.
Symptoms of a Failing Rear Differential
Here are signs of a failing rear differential. Look out for the following:
Whining sounds: A whining sound when you accelerate or when you slow down at the back part of your car might be because the gears in the differential have started to wear out.
Grinding sounds: Grinding sounds when you turn may indicate that the gears are damaged in your differential.
Vibration: Over-vibration during acceleration may indicate an improper working of your differential.
Fluid leakage: When you observe oil leakage from the rear axle, it may indicate failure in the rearside differential.
Once damaged, a damaged rear differential may have to be replaced. Choosing a used rear differential would be a very wise decision for it can fulfill the requirement with its performance at half the cost.
Why Purchase a Used Rear Differential?
The advantages of buying a used rear differential are numerous, and certainly the most appealing reason is reducing repair costs:
- Saves Money
New differentials can be very expensive, especially on high-performance and sports vehicles. It may run hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars if you are going to replace it with a brand-new rear differential depending on what your car’s make and model is. A used rear differential can be a fraction of the cost and yet can give almost similar performance and durability.
- Availability for Older Models
For example, if you own an older vehicle, finding a new rear differential might be impossible because manufacturers stop making parts for older models after a certain number of years. It is easy to find used rear differentials if your car is older, and you can easily run your car rather than investing a huge sum of money in a custom or aftermarket part.
- Tested and Reliable Parts
Many scrap yards and online retailers carry used rear ends that come with testing and validation so you know they work. And some now warranty used parts, so you have the comfort of getting a reliable part for your vehicle.
What is an Engine Control Module (ECM), and Why is it important?
This essentially forms the engine of your car: the engine control unit or the engine control module. It controls many parameters regarding the operation of the engine, including fuel injection, ignition timing, and emissions control. A faulty ECM can lead to a number of issues like poor engine performance, low fuel economy, and failure to meet the standards for emissions.
Symptoms That the ECM is Not Working Properly
Such a failing ECM causes numerous problems such as:
Check Engine Light On – Check engine light is one of the common symptoms that indicate that your ECM has gone bad. Though this will usually point to any number of possible faulty issues, sometimes it is the culprit, the ECM.
Poor Engine Performance – If your car cannot get up to speed, stalls too many times or has a poor time keeping speed, then there might be an ECM issue.
Decreased fuel efficiency: The computer regulates the introduction of fuel and air-fuel mixture. Faulty computer will induce bad fuel economy, which means your vehicle consumes gasoline more than it should.
Trouble starting the car: At times, a failing computer will not allow your car to even turn over.
Replacing a malfunctioning ECM should always go hand-in-hand with good performance for your ride, but replacing the ECM with a new one might be far too expensive. This is why it is now practical to buy a second-hand engine control module.
Why Buy an Engine Control Module?
Buying a used ECM can sometimes be just like buying a rear differential. Here’s why:
- Saving Some Big Bucks
An entirely brand new engine control module is quite expensive, especially if you’re talking about more recent or a bit more luxury models. In most cases, you can find a used ECM that is in perfect condition, thus saving you a lot of money compared to a brand-new one. You may use that amount for other possible repairs or changes.
- Salvageability in Older Vehicles
As with the rear differential, new engine control modules are typically difficult to locate in older cars. Automobile makers will likely discontinue manufacturing an E.C.M. for a specific model once the vehicle has crossed a threshold into a certain level of advanced age. However, used E.C.M.s are readily available from wrecking yards or online retailers. It is therefore much easier to find an exact match without the often-cost-prohibitive price of an after-market match.
- Rapid and Easy Installation
Buying a used ECM often means you can get your car back on the road faster. Often, salvage yards carry these components, so you don’t have to wait for a special order or backorder from the manufacturer. In addition, most ECMs are plug-and-play components, so the installation is fairly easy for any mechanic or the experienced DIYer.
Where to Buy Used Rear Differentials and Engine Control Modules
There are some popular platforms from where you can obtain used rear differentials and used ECMs that are referred to as below:
- Used Auto Parts Pro
Used Auto Parts Pro offers you a vast list of used car parts, including rear differential and ECM. You can compare the prices there, read reviews from other buyers, and in some cases, get parts with guarantees.
- Car-Part.com
Car-Part.com is a gargantuan database of used auto parts from North America’s salvage yards. Enter your vehicle’s make, model, and year for listings for used rear differentials and ECMs for sale by multiple sellers.
- Local Salvage Yards
If you would like to visit the components in person before you purchase them, then visit a local salvage yard. Most salvage yards offer used rear differentials and engine control modules that are completely tested and ready to install.
- AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts
Not only will you find new parts, but AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts will also sell used and refurbished car parts that encompass everything from ECMs to rear differentials. The warranties on these parts are usually quite limited, and in some cases, the parts can be shipped directly to your house or picked up at your local store.
Buying Used Auto Parts: Some Tips
If you do decide to buy a used rear differential or used ECM, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Check the compatibility: Make sure that the part is compatible with your make, model, and year of your vehicle. Many online retailers have compatibility tools for you to identify the right part.
Validate the condition: Ask the seller details regarding the condition of the part, including the mileage of the part in question, if it has been tested or not, and if there were worn out marks when being offered.
Warranty options: Where possible, purchase from vendors who offer a warranty or return package. This increases your protection in case of faulty operation of the part.
Shipping cost: Even shipping costs should be considered because most parts such as the rear differential can weigh very heavily and be costly to ship.
Conclusion
Indeed, buying second-hand rear diffs and used engine control modules is highly cost-effective and practical in that it may keep your vehicle at its best without forfeiting your hard-earned cash. With the availability of reliable, tested parts in the market through different reputable sellers, prime components will be way cheaper to acquire than if you had bought them in the market. Whether you are shopping online or visiting the salvage yard around the corner, make sure compatibility, condition, and warranty options are noted before taking that great used part deal home.
