Sounds like it's going to stall while idling

[brianexplorer]

I have a '13 Explorer Limited with about 19,000 miles. I'm currently traveling and about 4 hours away from home. On the way to my destination, my car sounded like it was close to stalling while idle and the lights in the car would dim during that time when it was about to stall. It never did stall, however.

I'm making the trip back home today -- anything I should be concerned with? It's about a 250 - 300 mile trip. Any possible idea as to what would cause that? Just had a service on the car prior to coming out and the only thing they said it needed was an oil change.

Appreciate any help! Trying to avoid needing a tow truck a few hours from home and no where to stay! Thanks.

 

[FordService]

I have a '13 Explorer Limited with about 19,000 miles. I'm currently traveling and about 4 hours away from home. On the way to my destination, my car sounded like it was close to stalling...

Hi brianexplorer,

I wanted to touch base and see how things are going with your Explorer. If there's anything I can assist with, just PM me your info and I'll look into it. Be sure to include your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership.

Crystal

 

[sumzxr7]

I have a '13 Explorer Limited with about 19,000 miles. I'm currently traveling and about 4 hours away from home. On the way to my destination, my car sounded like it was close to stalling while idle and the lights in the car would dim during that time when it was about to stall. It never did stall, however.

I'm making the trip back home today -- anything I should be concerned with? It's about a 250 - 300 mile trip. Any possible idea as to what would cause that? Just had a service on the car prior to coming out and the only thing they said it needed was an oil change.

Appreciate any help! Trying to avoid needing a tow truck a few hours from home and no where to stay! Thanks.

I have this same issue time to time....its inconsistent but never brought in to check.

 

[LukerDooker]

1. Have your battery/alt/electrical checked.

2. Possibly AC is running?
Someplace quiet, start the car and listen for the AC running.
I have experienced the car sounding as yours when the AC turns on when the car is not warm and just started or once or twice just started and AC turned on.

Also using the defrost/defog function for the windshield starts the AC without the LED lighting up for AC.
The defrost/defog will turn off if closing the vents to recirculate air,
(also turning off the AC).
So you may hear AC and choppy idle when using defog and at idle.

If you use the Climate setting of Auto, this uses a combo of heat and AC to create the internal temp to what you set it to. It will never use outside air for this, as far as I can tell in mine.
(To use outside air manually set your temp and fan speed and dont leave it on Auto.)
The AC has a distinctive low whine and you can hear the comp and fan when on, but generally not while driving-just when idle or at a light, etc...
G'luck.

 

[peterk9]

Doubt it would be the battery. Once running, you should be able to removed the battery altogether and the engine will keep running. Once started, the battery is pretty well taken out of the equation.

Peter

 

[sumzxr7]

I have a '13 Explorer Limited with about 19,000 miles. I'm currently traveling and about 4 hours away from home. On the way to my destination, my car sounded like it was close to stalling while idle and the lights in the car would dim during that time when it was about to stall. It never did stall, however.

I'm making the trip back home today -- anything I should be concerned with? It's about a 250 - 300 mile trip. Any possible idea as to what would cause that? Just had a service on the car prior to coming out and the only thing they said it needed was an oil change.

Appreciate any help! Trying to avoid needing a tow truck a few hours from home and no where to stay! Thanks.

Did you get it cheked out? Well I made mention of the issue when the car was in to fix my 3rd row roof rail water leak issue and they told me it was the Throtle body...which they completely replaced...seeing how the idle issue was inconsistent 4 times over the year it's hard to guage if this was really the issue...but I trust what they did....hope this helps.

 

[brianexplorer]

Thanks all for the feedback and advice. I have an appointment coming up soon and am going to have it checked out. I haven't been able to replicate the problem, unfortunately. I'll be sure to update this thread when I'm back from the dealership next week..

 

[harkenco]

Our 2013 Limited did this about a year ago. If you turn off the climate control system all will be ok. Ford Service eventually replaced our AC Compressor, but now the issue is back again. RPM's drop below 300 and the exterior lights all dim. My opinion is it is a computer issue (communication) with the climate control system. The AC compressor seems to cycle an awful lot (every 10-15 seconds). Hopefully when I take it in this week the Service advisor can get a speedy solution to this repetitive problem.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum harkenco.:wavey:
That does indeed sound strange. I can hardly tell when my AC comes on. It doesn't seem to put much of a strain on the engine and cycling ON and OFF in such a short period of time doesn't sound normal. Good luck.

Peter

 

[brianexplorer]

Our 2013 Limited did this about a year ago. If you turn off the climate control system all will be ok. Ford Service eventually replaced our AC Compressor, but now the issue is back again. RPM's drop below 300 and the exterior lights all dim. My opinion is it is a computer issue (communication) with the climate control system. The AC compressor seems to cycle an awful lot (every 10-15 seconds). Hopefully when I take it in this week the Service advisor can get a speedy solution to this repetitive problem.

That's exactly what was happening to me, so I will mention this at my appointment. Good luck with your appointment and let us know how you make out.

 

[FordService]

...I'll be sure to update this thread when I'm back from the dealership next week..

... Hopefully when I take it in this week the Service advisor can get a speedy solution to this repetitive problem.

I'll keep an eye out for your updates, brianexplorer and harkenco, but keep in mind you can always contact me directly if you need my help. All I'll need is a PM with your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership. Keep me posted!

Crystal

 

[harkenco]

Took the explorer in today. Initial reports are that what I am experiencing is "normal". The service advisor has agreed to keep the vehicle overnight and observe again in the A.M.
I cannot imagine that the idle dropping from around 750 to 300 and the AC compressor cycling on/off every 5 seconds is normal. Will see what they have to say tomorrow.

 

[peterk9]

Took the explorer in today. Initial reports are that what I am experiencing is "normal". The service advisor has agreed to keep the vehicle overnight and observe again in the A.M.
I cannot imagine that the idle dropping from around 750 to 300 and the AC compressor cycling on/off every 5 seconds is normal. Will see what they have to say tomorrow.

The A/C cycling ON and OFF every 5 seconds will never get a chance to do its job.

Peter

 

[harkenco]

Finally, got the Explorer back late yesterday. Glad to not have to drive that tiny little Fiesta they loaned me. Dealer contacted the Ford Hotline as they had no explanation. They advised to compare to another vehicle. They then cleaned the throttle body, reclaimed AC system and recharged. Cleared the cam in the PCM. Then said all was good.
Drove it today and the issue is back. I cannot think that while a vehicle is idling in park that the constant click of the compressor can be heard every 5 seconds and the rpms drop to 300-350. Dealer and now Ford are saying its normal. I guess I need to go open up another Explorer and replicate.

 

[brushnock]

same issue here 2013 explorer runs great till you put the heat on auto or turn ac on then the idle drops way down like its going to stall but doesn't.anyone ever figure this out?

 

[peterk9]

same issue here 2013 explorer runs great till you put the heat on auto or turn ac on then the idle drops way down like its going to stall but doesn't.anyone ever figure this out?

It could be that your alternator isn't providing the battery with enough power to keep things running. How old is the battery? Have you had it tested?

Peter