Hey guys I've been a huge fan of cherokeeforum for a long time now but I've never actually posted a thread or commented on anything. That being said my forum etiquette may be a little off.

I am trying to install an aftermarket temp sensor on my xj. I don't trust the readings I've been getting from the old temp sensor located near the rear of the valve cover. That being said I bought a 92 XJ thermostat housing, a new thermostat that opens up at 180 (I live in a cold place) and of course a new aftermarket temp sensor/ guage that bolts right into the new thermostat housing. I imagine that the thermostat housing for the 92 and the 89 are exactly the same they look the same with the same bolt pattern just one has a threaded temp sensor port. I was wondering how would you hook up the new guage? it needs a power source near the dash and I haven't been able to find an available one any thing would help. Thanks

 

I bought a guage with no place to put the sensor, so I laid the sensor on the manifold right next to the thermostat housing. I can tell when the thermostat opens and can see rapid rises in temperature. I wet paper towels and stuff them around the sensor.

One of these days, i'm going to drill and tap a hole in the housing for it, but it works so well now that I haven't bothered.

If you want a pic, let me know.

 

Well that's just it I bought the new water housing from a 1992 xj with the sensor import so I wouldn't have to drill out the old thermostat housing I would just replace it directly. I just don't know how to wire up the new gauge :P

 

Every time you drive? Sounds like a real pain in the azz.
Why not just use a T and be done with it?

 

If your new gauge has two wires, one wire will need to hook to a power sorce,

check your fuse box for and extra connection. The second wire will go

to the sending unit as the ground. If you have a third wire, it will go

to the light power sorce.

I bought a mechanical gauge, works great all the time, only one wire for

a light.....

 

Thanks Bob98. And the reason he can't just screw in that T bracket in the thermostat housing is because the 1989 series XJ's did not have a temp sensor in the thermostat housing like the 92- Jeeps have. They had there temp sensor toward the rear of the valve cover near the exhaust manifold (dumb I know) So I am replacing the entire T-stat housing so I can put in a new/better temp sensor and guage :P

 

So hey guys if you have an 89 XJ like me you will have to buy another water thermostat housing that will allow you to install an aftermarket temp sensor



And then just run the cord through either the speedo cable hole or some other hole and install your aftermarket temp sensor. It might be a good idea to install a new thermostat also mine was shot to ****