2006 ford explorer is not overheating but acts like it.

You'll need a good technician , that doesn't mean the dealer , Good luck finding one most mechanics want plug and play things they don't have to think too much about

Sounds like a problem with the coolant temperature sensor or the wiring going to it. Does the temperature gauge on the dash stay on the cold mark or drop down to the cold mark while this is going on? If so it's definitely the coolant temperature sensor or the wiring. When the computer loses the signal from the coolant temperature sensor it assumes the engine is overheating and takes steps to prevent engine damage. The radiator cooling fans come on at high speed, power may be reduced, and the air conditioning is disabled. The check engine light should come on as well. If the sensor is skewed the check engine light may not come on though. Hope that helps! Jim

temp gauge on dash does not move. it stays at normal range. check engine light never comes on. the cooling fan system kicks on as soon as I leave my driveway on hot days. the sound it makes is similar to when you have a large truck next to you at stop light. when taking off you here their engine revving up until it gets going down the road..... I will be taking it to a ford garage soon. dont really trust them anymore than the guy who changed my a/c system. He is certified by ford and is an expert with ford explorer???? thanks so much for replys. having some knowledge before going to dealership can help reduce bullshit that they may try on me....Love my Explorer. main problems has been putting in 2 new radiators. 200,000 miles and it runs great.

You're welcome, glad to help! They should do a live data scan and look at the information coming in from that coolant temperature sensor. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Jim

Some/many vehicles these days have 2 coolant temperature sensors...... One on the engine and one on the radiator itself, or in/on the hose right next to the radiator . The radiator temp sensor is usually what turns the electric fan on. The one on the engine is where the signal comes from for the dash temp gauge. If the gauge is reading "normal" my money would be on the radiator sensor being faulty. Its even possible that BOTH sensors could be innacurate by now. But the good news is that they usually are inexpensive, that is, depending on where you buy the parts. Dealers always charge more for parts like this. When the engine has had time to warm up, if the engine is operating properly, without excessive friction or an exhaust leak, and has the proper temperature THERMOSTAT, and it is working properly, and the radiator is in good shape too, the engine temp gauge should be reasonably close to the middle of the temp range. When the engine is registering in the middle of that properly operating gauge, the fan should not be coming on. IF IT IS coming on and running for some time, then the temperature may drop somewhat. If the thermostat is operating properly, when the engine temp starts to fall, the thermostat will begin to close-in an effort to maintain the engine's previously warmer temperature. If YOURS has 2 and neither has ever been replaced-with 200k on the engine, I'd be tempted to do both on general principles.