Wrench Light

[CindyLynn00]

While accelerating Wrench Light appears on dashboard and the vehicle goes into Limp Mode. The vehicle starts idling rough and will not accelerate at all. Put explorer in park and turn off vehicle and crank it back up and explorer will run fine after that. Happens randomly every couple of months. Scanned explorer and no codes are stored. Any ideas of what this could be?

2013 Ford Explorer

 

[peterk9]

I think what you experienced was Fail Safe Cooling, erroneously referred to as "Limp Mode'. The following is from your Owner's Manual.
Have you checked the coolant level?

If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
• The engine power will be limited.
• The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be restarted. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible to minimize
engine damage.

Peter

 

[Michael Blackburn]

Could also be the Throttle Body.