Explorer Dies While Driving/Odometer Shows Dashes

60

Asked by IwishIknew May 07, 2018 at 10:23 PM about the 2006 Ford Explorer XLS V6

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hello All Please Help,
My 2006 Ford Explorer with 170,000 miles dies while driving when it is hot
outside. After the engine compartment cools down below 100 degrees the car
starts up like nothing happens.
List of Parts Replaced:
1. PCM-Primary Computer
2. PATS Transceiver and Keys
3. Ignition Coil Pack
4. PCM Relay
5. Fuel Pump Relay
6. Throttle Position Sensor
7. Ignition Switch
8. Alternator
9. Starter

Symptoms:
1. Engine Dies While Driving
2. Flags Fuel Level Low
3. Flags Charging System
4. Dashes Across Odometer
5. Battery Light
6. Golden Wrench Light
7. Gas Cap Light
8. Temp Light
9. Check Engine Light
10. Oil Pressure Light
11. Traction Control Light

When It Happens The:
1. Car Dies
2. Still Power to AC/Heater Fan
3. Still Power to Windows
4. Starter will not engage or even click
5. All lights above illuminate
6. Temp indicator keeps rising to indicate temp under hood

After the car cools down for a while it starts and runs like nothing ever
happened. I have not noticed a "burning smell" that some have mentioned
coming from the Relay/Fuse Box under the hood. I never see or smell anything
Burning. I have read as much as I can find and I have thrown many parts at
this thing. We cannot afford to purchase another vehicle at the moment so any
help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED. Besides the mentioned problem the
car runs like a top. Everything works as it should and works great. PLEASE
HELP.

8 Answers

9,725

Try the ECM. I believe the ECM is malfunctioning when it gets hot.

3 people found this helpful.
60

Isn’t the ECM the same as the PCM? I did have the dealership replace the PCM.

1 people found this helpful.
60

I read that my ECM is part of my PCM so replacing the PCM also replaces ECM. My “ambient air temperature” that shows up by the odometer also keeps climbing to reflect engine compartment temp when the car dies. I don’t see that happening on other vehicles.

1 people found this helpful.
74,390

The problem is electronic and heat related. The only way to diagnosis the problem is to have a technician run the vehicle at idle and above while recording live data from the computer until failure. At that point the playback of the data should show the fault causing the computer to fail. You may get luck with a Ford tech who has been working on the vehicles for many years and seen the problem before.

1 people found this helpful.
60

Ford turned me away due to liability issues concerning not being able to find the problem and the bill being more than the car is worth. Can anyone install one of these “flight recorders” or does it have to be a dealership?

74,390

Any good shop should have the recorder, which is expensive by itself. Then the shop has to pay each manufacturer a yearly fee to access their computer files to see which system is at fault. Check around local shops and see if they can help you. Make sure you ask them if there is a fee to diagnosis the problem if they cannot determine the cause and come up with a guaranteed repair.

1 people found this helpful.
90

Hi, Have u managed to fix ur explorer?? if yes, what fixed the defect. I have the same problem. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks.

2 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

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