My Explorer Overheated

[chuckyl]

Thanks for the welcoming posts! Did not have that re-program done as I was unaware of it and from looking at the history report it doesn't look like it was ever performed. Is this something that I should suggest be done at this time?
Thanks!

 

[peterk9]

Thanks for the welcoming posts! Did not have that re-program done as I was unaware of it and from looking at the history report it doesn't look like it was ever performed. Is this something that I should suggest be done at this time?
Thanks!

I believe a letter was send out to owners but can't recall for sure since it was more than a year ago that I had mine done. If you always took your Explorer to the dealer for all servicing and they never carried out the 12B36 program I would bring that up and see if they would do it without charging you for it since I feel that is something they should have checked out when the program came out. It was implemented to help prevent fan issues so talk with the service department and make your decision from there.

Peter

 

[chuckyl]

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[chuckyl]

Got my car back from dealer with new fan and the Customer satisfaction mod. Car seems fine and I hope it stays that way. Thanks to those that responded!!!

 

[FordService]

Got my car back from dealer with new fan and the Customer satisfaction mod. Car seems fine and I hope it stays that way. Thanks to those that responded!!!

Great news, chuckyl! Thanks for sharing your outcome. If you need any assistance in the future, don't hesitate to contact me.

Crystal

 

[elvan]

Can anyone chime in and tell me whether or not the radiator fans are supposed to be running while parked in idle? The fans in my vehicle are not running.

 

[JDraper]

Can anyone chime in and tell me whether or not the radiator fans are supposed to be running while parked in idle? The fans in my vehicle are not running.

They may or may not, depending upon the coolant temperature. The fans are operated by a coolant temperature sensor, so operation is independent of whether the vehicle is moving or parked.

 

[Holligl]

Can anyone chime in and tell me whether or not the radiator fans are supposed to be running while parked in idle? The fans in my vehicle are not running.

What does your temp gauge indicate? Fans should kick on once it goes over ~mid range. They will power on only when needed. While driving down the highway I suspect they are rarely powered, using natural airflow. Problems show up when sitting idling for extended periods.

 

[peterk9]

Can anyone chime in and tell me whether or not the radiator fans are supposed to be running while parked in idle? The fans in my vehicle are not running.

Welcome to the Forum elvan.:wavey:
I believe your question has been answered in the preceding posts.

Peter

 

[elvan]

What does your temp gauge indicate? Fans should kick on once it goes over ~mid range. They will power on only when needed. While driving down the highway I suspect they are rarely powered, using natural airflow. Problems show up when sitting idling for extended periods.

My temp gauge indicator is at the middle level. I've notice recently that the ac is very weak/blows warm air when I'm idling/waiting at a long stoplight. I had originally complained about my climate controls behaving erratically back in December, and the dealer told me there wasn't anything wrong with my vehicle. I now think the issue is related to a dying cooling fan.

I've already had the cooling fan replaced under the TSB back in July of 2012 so this issue is somewhat alarming, especially when the vehicle only has ~16k on the OD. My explorer has been out of warranty for 30 days, do I have any recourse of action?

 

[peterk9]

My temp gauge indicator is at the middle level. I've notice recently that the ac is very weak/blows warm air when I'm idling/waiting at a long stoplight. I had originally complained about my climate controls behaving erratically back in December, and the dealer told me there wasn't anything wrong with my vehicle. I now think the issue is related to a dying cooling fan.

I've already had the cooling fan replaced under the TSB back in July of 2012 so this issue is somewhat alarming, especially when the vehicle only has ~16k on the OD. My explorer has been out of warranty for 30 days, do I have any recourse of action?

There is a TSB about the 'Blend Door' sticking. Perhaps that may be the cause. I don't think the cooling fans would affect the A/C operation. Check the 2011 - 2012 TSB thread in the stickies.

Peter

 

[Holligl]

My temp gauge indicator is at the middle level. I've notice recently that the ac is very weak/blows warm air when I'm idling/waiting at a long stoplight. I had originally complained about my climate controls behaving erratically back in December, and the dealer told me there wasn't anything wrong with my vehicle. I now think the issue is related to a dying cooling fan.

I've already had the cooling fan replaced under the TSB back in July of 2012 so this issue is somewhat alarming, especially when the vehicle only has ~16k on the OD. My explorer has been out of warranty for 30 days, do I have any recourse of action?

If the fans are failing again, it will overheat, so just watch the gauge. When mine failed it just kept going up until it started the alternate firing emergency control. We turned the heater on high and rolled down the windows to be able to keep going. I have 46k on mine, only had the single fix over two years ago.

 

[elvan]

There is a TSB about the 'Blend Door' sticking. Perhaps that may be the cause. I don't think the cooling fans would affect the A/C operation. Check the 2011 - 2012 TSB thread in the stickies.

Peter

That was the first thing I ask the dealership to look at. They told the blend doors where fine. After the first time the cooling fans failed, I did notice that the AC was weaker/blew warm air when the vehicle was wasn't moving.

 

[elvan]

Update:
I dropped my Explorer off at the dealership yesterday and they have confirmed that there is something wrong with the fan assembly.

 

[FordService]

Update:
I dropped my Explorer off at the dealership yesterday and they have confirmed that there is something wrong with the fan assembly.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, elvan! If you need me to step in and assist, just PM me your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership. I'll investigate some options to help.

Crystal

 

[elvan]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, elvan! If you need me to step in and assist, just PM me your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership. I'll investigate some options to help.

Crystal

Update:
Looks like I'm going to be $100 out of pocket for a $900 repair. I should be happy, but I'm still annoyed since I'm pretty sure this was related to the climate control issue I had originally complained about back in December, when the vehicle was still under warranty. Considering that my Explorer only has 16,175 miles on the OD and that the cooling fans have been previously replaced @ ~9k miles, this recent failure has given me some serious doubts about the long-term reliability of the vehicle. Our previous '96 Explorer, never had any minor mechanical issue until it exceeded the 120k mark. The 2011 has been the most problematic vehicle I've ever own. When everything is working, it's a great SUV...it just feels like my 2011 Explorer spends more time in the shop than on the road.

Crystal you have a PM.

 

[FordService]

...Crystal you have a PM.

I got it and responded, elvan. Keep me in the loop.

Crystal

 

[michael_jp]

My 2011 XLT (40,000 miles) had engine overheat at low speed traffic yesterday. I was near a mall so, I parked the car for about 1 hour to take dinner and after that I rode home without issue (only few minutes). Early today before leaving I checked the coolant and it's a recommended level. But, later the overheat alarm appeared again at low speed traffic. So, I dropped my Explorer at the nearest dealer and since it's Friday they couldn't check it until Monday. It's already more than 3 years and passed the manufacturer's warranty period, I wish this engine overheat issue and rental car will be covered by my extended warranty.
All manufacturer's recommended fixes & recalls for my Explorer was all done, including the fan related recall (12b36) which was done 2 years ago (April 2012).

Below is the picture of the alarm.
I was able to take picture of the engine overheat alarm which exactly appeared when I was dropping it at the dealer and the service personnel witnessed this alarm. (He requested re-starting of the vehicle and even after re-start the alarm was there)

 

[peterk9]

If your ESP has rental coverage then you should be okay. Not all Ford ESPs have the coverage. It depends on which plan you bought. I'm guessing that the fans may have to be replaced. That was an issue with many of the 2011 models.

Peter

 

[blwnsmoke]

If your ESP has rental coverage then you should be okay. Not all Ford ESPs have the coverage. It depends on which plan you bought. I'm guessing that the fans may have to be replaced. That was an issue with many of the 2011 models.

Peter

Peter, rental coverage is included with Ford ESPs. What is an option is 1st day rental which gets you a rental the day you drop it off. Otherwise, you get a rental the next day if it isn't repaired by then. Not sure if Canada is different but that is how it works in the states.