Thread: 2009 Colorado Engine Problem

Originally Posted by Ryan

Well, a computer is defined as:

"an electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data) in a particular form and of performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of procedural instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of information or signals."

So it's not wrong to call them as such. Perhaps a general / anachronistic term. Semantics aside, I doubt anyone would not know what one was talking about if they used the word.

That definition says that the sensors are sensors and the ECU is the computer. The sensors do not tend to have microprocessors in them, most are either a switch, a hall effect device (detects metal/magnetic field changes), pressure or temperature sensors.