I just bought a 1998 XJ 4 door sport with about 180,000 miles. Everything checks out really nice, and it looks like it has been well maintained. After I bought it I drove it about 200 miles home in 96 degree heat with the AC blowing on the freeway at 75+. Everything worked great for about 150 miles.

Then it died for no reason. I noticed it seemed hot under the hood, but, it was a hot day and I had the AC on. The temp gauge was always below 210, the coolant looks nice and clean, and the radiator looks like it is in great shape.

For some reason a lot of hot air is being thrown at the driver side fender and the relay box nearby. I think this is causing the relays to overheat, and kills the fuel pump, and the engine dies. It started for a few seconds after I swapped the fan relay for the fuel pump relay.

After everything gets cold it seems to run fine again. After just a few minutes at idle the driver side fender gets so hot I can't put my hand on it. I thought it was because we were in the hot sun before, but now it gets hot at night. That can't be right.

Any idea what is wrong here? The OEM fan shroud and electric fan all seem to be in good working condition. The electric fan kicks on with the AC or as needed at idle.

 

I waited until the XJ was cold this afternoon, outside temp was about 95. I let it idle for about 10 minutes with the AC on, and then measured with an IR thermometer. The driver side fender is over 170F and the relay box is around the same temp.

Any idea why the hot air is being blown this way? I dont think the fender should ever get that hot, but I dont have a clue what's causing it.