I have a 2011 xlt extended cab with a 2.3l 4 cylinder.

the truck is great... I put 120,000 miles on it in under a year.

But about a month ago the temperature gauge started malfunctioning. for what ever reason -- the truck is NOT over heating-- the gauge would increase past the "H" and then the temperature light would come on. Because the truck thinks it's overheating -- the engine goes into a "safe mode" and runs with no power. When i shut the motor off and turn it back on temperature gauge resets and the truck will run fine. Then in another 50 or 100 miles it will do it again. Why is it doing this? I took it to the dealer here in Columbus, Ohio and the mechanic installed a new thermostat and a new "control modulator" (a $700+ part -- not really sure what it is called) anyway, the truck is doing the same thing and the mechanic still does not know why the truck is acting like this --
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any advice?
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Louie Basilone

 

I was gonna suggest the new stat but see you have done that. That's a pricey bill for a stat emplacement. Did they do any other work then like flush the cooling system etc?I would take it back to them ask for another mechanic ( lead mechanic) to check it out at their cost since it appears they made the wrong diagnosis and it shouldn't be acting up in so short a time frame. Could have a plugged radiator,bad water pump fan clutch not engaging or simply an air blockage. I would also want to have it checked to make sure you don't have potential head gasket leakage issues going on. Has anyone checked the engine/radiator with an infrared temp scanner to get a real read on what the actual temp is at the exact time the temp indicates overheating?

 

Dang, 120K miles in one year, so how many times has the coolant been changed & was the specified type used???
I hope when this happened it was still under warranty mileage wise!!!!!

Surely this must have turned the CEL/SES light on & set a trouble code, so post All trouble code Numbers you found, or they listed on the work order, as they can provide good trouble shooting clues. If the CEL/SES light is on, most autoparts stores will scan the computer for trouble codes at no cost, if you don't have a code reader or scantool to do it.

I'd think that the computers temp sender & wiring would belong on the suspect list too.

Murpheys Law says, just because the "Control Modulator" is new, doesn't automatically mean its good, maybe its faulty, has a design defect, or was a reman part & most Ford Dealers warranty their work, so take this puppy back?????

More thoughts for pondering, let us know what you find.

 

I had puzzling temp indication, the gauge on my '94 I removed, cleaned wire terminals and it was ok.
it indicated about 1/4th up the scale w/cold engine.