2008 Explorer engine cuts out while driving

[Linton]

Approx 2 months ago my battery went flat as I had not driven the car for a couple of weeks. AAA came and started it, tested alternator and battery and said all was good. I started driving the vehicle thereafter all was well until approx. a week later while driving on the freeway at 65mph the engine simply cut out and there was no power in the accelerator. The Orange wrench sign came on in the dashboard gauges but no other message. I drifted to the side of the freeway and stopped the car, put in Park and switched off the engine. I started it again minutes later out of curiosity and it started perfectly so I continued driving. The orange wrench light did not come back on.
This all happened again 20 minutes later and again I stopped, switched doff and started the car perfectly and continued driving. It never happened again for another day and then it repeated itself. I noticed that as I pulled over to stop the last 20ft the engine / car would shudder like being shaken.

Hanks garage looked into the issue and the onboard computer indicated it was the throttle body was faulty which they then replaced as well as some wires that appear to have been eaten or chafed through. Also the wiring was replaced at the mass airflow sensor. I collected the car and on the upcoming weekend thereafter I drove to Santa Barbara ( 74 miles ) with no problem. However on the way back it happened again and probably another 14 times on the way back to Los Angeles. I also noticed the transmission would not change and it seemed to be stuck in a low gear limiting my speed - this had never happened on any previous occasion.. I took the vehicle back to Hanks and despite endless diagnostic attempts they are unable to find the cause.

 

[Blackhawkxx]

Did you see this in the thread below yours?

Just found what I'm 99% sure is the problem (in mine at least) after about 3 years of troubleshooting and it appears to be the ignition switch, which often gets overlooked. I was able to find this out by putting the vehicle in drive (very important as this test doesn't seem to work in Park) then jiggle the key while your foot still on the brake, or if you're in a safe area you can test this while driving slowly or coasting. The first time I did this my 09 EB edition 4.0 shut off within 3 seconds.
Symptoms: Car stalling randomly, All lights come on, and car loses throttle, power steering, and assisted braking. But it would always start right back up.

I mainly noticed this behavior during sharp turns, sudden elevation changes, or both. Except once, it also happened to me while decelerating on a level, but somewhat bumpy road. My guess is the terrain was causing my keys to swing around in the ignition causing the sudden power loss

Before changing any fuel pumps, throttle bodies, IAC valves, Position Sensors, etc.. I'd do this check first.

Hope this helps.