dedsa60

I bought a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. Antifreeze was brownish color. I decided to flush and clean. Also, I wasn't getting any heat.

I installed a flush kit due to the fact I couldn't reach the drain plug on the radiator. I didn't want to break it off. I flushed the antifreeze and disposed it properly. I poured in a cleaning product with water. Ran the engine for about 15 mins with the heat on. I flushed out the heater core and I started getting heat prior to the rinse.
I flushed out again and the water was cleaner but not real clean. I repeated another flush and the water was somewhat clean. I drained that water and poured in straight antifreeze. Used about 1.5 gallons of straight AF. I tested the AF and it tested about -50f. I filled the overflow tank and made sure I had a secure seal.

My daughter drove the Jeep the next day. After about 65 miles, the temp was rising. She pulled over and let it cooled. She preceded to drive home after it cooled and didn't have a problem.

When I came home, I checked the cooling fan. Check fuses, relays...the whole nine yards. Everything ok.

I replaced the Thermostat and cooling sensor. I ran the engine to normal temp (195) and the fan didn't come on. Should I have bought a lower temp sensor?

Anywho...its still runs warm after about 70 miles of steady driving.

Help! What would be a next step? I am thinking a radiator cleaning.

XJmike0122

How hot was it running? Above 210?

dedsa60

Last night it was running above 210...maybe 225? After messing with it today, I noticed when I drove to a local store about 3 miles away, when I came out and started it up...the electric fan kicked on. It never did this until the new cooling sensor

Turbo X_J

.

dedsa60

How many sensors does the 01 Cherokee have on it? I changed the one in the thermostat housing. When I changed it, the electric fan started working correctly. Is there another sensor for the engine cooling?

1976gmc20

I think that the sensor for the dash gauge is in the driver side rear corner of the head.

dedsa60

What is this sensor called?

1976gmc20

Not sure precisely. I just know that most or all Cherokees have separate sensors for electric fan and the gauge.

dedsa60

So the fan sensor must be on the thermostat housing...right?

1976gmc20

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me can confirm that.


It used to be down on the radiator itself in the earlier models.

md21722

97+ there is only one coolant temperature sensor. Its on the thermostat housing. Before changing the sensor, have you checked the thermostat housing with a IR thermometer? There is no "fan sensor". The PCM turns on the electric fan if the coolant temp is high enough, and depending on year, if the A/C is on or the A/C high pressure reaches a certain pressure (I can't remember off hand, maybe 350?)

One hash mark past 210 is not really overheating; its just running hotter than it ought to unless you're in the desert.

The electric fan does not come on until about 215-218F.

Unless you're cooling system is in perfect condition don't expect the gauge to read spot on 195. And even if it was, you can still expect 210 or a needle width above it sitting in traffic. If the condenser is beat up for years of bugs, rocks, etc it can be reducing airflow causing a bit higher temps. If the fan clutch is weak it can cause poor A/C performance and temperatures to rise at slow or stopped speeds. If the radiator isn't new, it can have crud in it that you are unlikely to get out or will spend more money trying than buying a new $100 Spectra radiator.

1976gmc20

Sorry, I was wrong. I should have stayed out of this one