2000 XJ runs cold, no heat
Hi guys, need a little help..I recently had to start driving a '00 that's been sitting in my driveway for about a year. Everything was fine for a few days, then noticed the temp gauge drop to about 180 while driving, also lost cabin heat. Checked coolant level, it's fine. Flushed cooling system, flushed heater core, good flow out of out both ways, changed thermostat even though it was new. Same results.
If I let it idle it will climb to 210, but still no heat. Upper and lower rad. Hoses are hot, heater core hoses are not, so no flow...but why?? Rad. cap also not hot to the touch, but again level checks fine. What am I missing?
If I let it idle it will climb to 210, but still no heat. Upper and lower rad. Hoses are hot, heater core hoses are not, so no flow...but why?? Rad. cap also not hot to the touch, but again level checks fine. What am I missing?
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Could be a weak/bad water pump........or maybe the flapper door under the dash in the heater box not moving.
Last edited by djb383; Dec 6, 2012 at 09:47 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: england,united kingdom
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 petrol
jlk hi if that doesnt work you will have to forward and back flush 6 times like i had to it took me bloody ages hun,had to attach a foot pump to hose to help me get presure to push crap through,couldnt believe how much came out.hope this helps
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Lansing, MI
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thermostat. When they fail, they usually fail in the open position which is the same as not having a t-stat at all, which means the engine takes much, much, much longer to heat up.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Bamberg Germany
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0, Nothing better
If you are not getting any heat conducting off of the coolant hoses to your heater box I would double check to insure that you are getting sufficiant flow. As in fast enough that the box doesnt cool it down to much before it comes back out.
You also didnt say where you got the water pump from but have personally had bad experiances with having to pull of and replace brand new water pumps before i even get a chance to test drive the vehicle. So I would check the pump next. Good luck. Its starting to get cold.
Last edited by mechanic6339; Dec 6, 2012 at 01:50 PM.
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MJ>XJ
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 17,836
Likes: 7
From: Griffin, G.A.
Year: 1990
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0 I6
Make sure the valve on the heater hoses are working properly with the heat switch in the cab... I have no thermostat right now ans it runs about 140 or so... 180 is fine... 210 is fine... Your not getting water to your heater core when your dash ia asking for it...
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
There is no heater control valve on '97 up. Operating without a t-stat in a OBD-II motor is likely to set a CEL.
Last edited by djb383; Dec 6, 2012 at 02:06 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Before u dig into the dash, r u positive the water pump is spinning counter-clockwise, there is a "R" stamped on the pump impeller, flushing thru the heater core yields good flow, coolant level remains in the top of the rad (motor cold) but heater hoses r not hot?


