Hi, I happen to have a 2001 Ford Explorer and had a similar problem. On mine, it was the cable on the pump/control unit that was faulty, which caused the whole system to go haywire. It also overheated and the engine light was on, just like yours. Honestly, it was a serious problem. It took a good chunk of time and labor to fix it. The mechanic had to replace the faulty cable and the ECU also needed an overhaul to make sure everything was working normally again. But since then my car has been running perfectly again. Don't worry, I'm sure it can be solved. It's best to have it looked at by a specialist soon if it really is the control unit. I hope this helps you and be sure to give us an update on how it went. Good luck!

(Translated from German)

Hey, thanks for your quick reply and the detailed information! Would you happen to remember how much the whole thing cost you? And has anything else come up since your repair or has it been quiet since then? I'm curious to see if the cable is also the culprit in my Ford Excursion.

(Translated from German)

Hey, no problem! I'm glad you asked, I forgot to mention the amount. It cost me €95 to repair the faulty cable on the pump/control unit. Since the repair, everything has been running great, the car no longer overheats and the engine light is also off. So it was definitely worth going to the mechanic and having the malfunction of the electric coolant pump repaired. The costs are of course always annoying, but I'm glad that my car is now fit again. Hopefully it's just the cable in your Ford Excursion. Keep us up to date!

(Translated from German)

Thank you very much for the information! That reassures me. I'm also prepared to invest a bit of money if it means I gain security and have no further problems with my vehicle. Your case shows me that perhaps it really is just the cable that is the problem. I'm off to the mechanic on Monday and I'm looking forward to his diagnosis. I'll keep you up to date. Thanks again for your help!

(Translated from German)