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

9,505

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.
73,370

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?

73,370

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:

Explorer

Looking for a Used Explorer in your area?

CarGurus has 62,774 nationwide Explorer listings starting at $825.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2006 Ford Explorer

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    OJ
    Reputation
    30,860
  • #2
    TransAm77
    Reputation
    7,790
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    7,280
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
6,213 Great Deals out of 132,255 listings starting at $900
Used Ford Expedition
816 Great Deals out of 23,390 listings starting at $1,050
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,054 Great Deals out of 20,917 listings starting at $1,000
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,627 Great Deals out of 50,551 listings starting at $750
Used Dodge Durango
860 Great Deals out of 21,675 listings starting at $2,450
Used Ford Edge
1,563 Great Deals out of 41,057 listings starting at $1,200
Used Toyota Highlander
1,393 Great Deals out of 18,508 listings starting at $1,100
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,177 Great Deals out of 18,224 listings starting at $1,550
Used Honda Pilot
1,009 Great Deals out of 29,216 listings starting at $711
Used GMC Acadia
1,096 Great Deals out of 14,508 listings starting at $550
Used Ford Escape
2,386 Great Deals out of 45,292 listings starting at $750
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,215 Great Deals out of 129,939 listings starting at $1,000
Used GMC Yukon
671 Great Deals out of 11,445 listings starting at $1,499

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Ford Explorer For Sale
3 Great Deals out of 32,081 listings starting at $34,145
2023 Ford Explorer For Sale
207 Great Deals out of 7,480 listings starting at $27,059
2022 Ford Explorer For Sale
314 Great Deals out of 3,495 listings starting at $19,900
2021 Ford Explorer For Sale
472 Great Deals out of 5,502 listings starting at $13,900
2020 Ford Explorer For Sale
304 Great Deals out of 3,353 listings starting at $13,900

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.