I am new to the forum and have recently purchased a 98 Cherokee sport 4.0 Auto. I drove it today and placed my hand on the hood and it seemed Hot, I opened the hood and it also seemed hot. I have the idiot light for the water temperature and it lights as it should when the ignition is turned on, then turns off like it should. I have no other indications of overheating. What temp turns on the idiot light? and do these run hotter than most cars? I am concerned that maybe the temp sensor is bad but it is hard to tell with the idiot light.

thanks

 

Yes they do run hotter than other vehicles. After i fixed my overheating problem, it does not go over 210. What does you guage say your running at? Has anything in the coolant system been changed?

 

I think he said he has an "idiot" light instead of the gauge...Tj

 

Ah, I have a 98 sport 4.0L also, Guess i just automatically thought he would have the guage, ooopppsss. not sure about what temp trips the light then, someone else will chime in with more info

 

As with most Idiot lights it turns on when it is too late. Don't know the temp. idiot lights are just that, they are to tell you, you are an Idiot for letting you vehicle kill itself. I suggest you get a water temp gauge. Normal operating temp for a Jeep 4.0 is 210 deg. XJ's do have a very warm engine compartment. This is why alot of people install hood vents. The light turning on at startup tells you that the sensor is functional, but not if it is functioning correctly.