It sounds like the fan clutch isn't providing enough resistance.

 

The fan clutch spins fine when the engine is hot and when its cold its a bit harder to spin so I believe theres nothing wrong with it. Its the electric fan cause it doesnt turn on at all even wit the ac on.

 

i think if it was the relay your check engine light would be on

 

Doubt it. It takes a lot to throw the CEL in an XJ.

 

From what you've said it sounds like you definitely need a new fan clutch. This is the part that holds the fan to the pulley. I think the factory ones are supposed to be good for about 75K miles... Mine overheated anytime there was not enough airflow, like idling or driving under 25mph in warm weather. The fan clutch should spin freely when the engine is cold - it should have stiff resistance but still be movable when the engine is hot. Mine spun freely when hot when it went bad, so it was not really spinning at all when it was supposed to. The viscous clutch makes it engage the fan when it gets hot and not sap power when it's cold and not necessary. There is a fluid that changes viscosity with temperature (gets thicker as it gets hotter) inside the clutch that causes this. I replaced mine in about 15 minutes. It was a lot easier to get the 4 bolts off the pulley to remove the clutch & fan when I did it with the engine warm. The part is about 60-70 bucks. After you get the fan shroud out of the way, take the 4 bolts holding the clutch to the pulley off, then take out the 4 bolts holding the fan to the clutch. Reverse process with new clutch. Pretty easy, my bolts were 1/2" and came off pretty easy when the engine was warm. When I tried it with the engine cold, the bolts wouldn't come loose before the pulley & serpentine belt started to spin. Way easier hot!

It also sounds like you have a different problem with either the temp sensor & or relay that activates your electric fan or the fan itself... you can test the fan motor by jumping directly from the battery to the plug terminals on the fan since it's a straight 12V motor on the fan. I think the temp sensors are only like 15 bucks too...

Good luck!

 

Yeah, I've had multiple electrical issues, total IAC failure, battery failure, and never seen any light come on other than at start-up like they're supposed to. (Aside from that pesky LOW WASH *@&%er). My bulbs are good, just never tripped the Gen light, or the CEL. Pretty much have to jump it into Hazzard Pond to get it to illuminate I figure.

 

heres the deal...go and replace everything cooling system related to New oem or better fan clutch (upgrade to heavy duty or ZJ if you want) new radiator (I went witha 3 row), a 195 degree tstat (dont go 180 USE a 195!)/ new water pump...the cooling systems on xj are fine when all the parts are working correctly and I have been chasing a higher then I like temp situation for the last year and it is finaly fixed with all new parts. temp guage sits there with the ac on in traffic and dosent budge...wheeling with the ac on same thing...the way it should be and was when it was new,,,moral of the story just spend the $$ and replace it all at one time and be done with it..definitly worht the price of admission in my opinion
cameron

 

Good advice.........is there an echo in here? LOL

 

Well I just tested the efan, got power going to it, i tryed puting power directly to the fan and nothing, so fan is toast im gonna get a new one today

 

don't forget to grab a fan clutch... my efan was working fine and I still had the overheat at idle issue until I did the fan clutch.

 

what rad did you get?
I'm going to be replacing my whole cooling system soon and been wondering if I should get a stock one or 3 row.

 

My fan clutch is working fine, I just tested it

 

Anyone kno if any other vehicals efan will fit?

 

The "spin test" will tell u virtually nothing. The test method in the FSM is a somewhat drawn out proceedure. Fan clutches start to gradually deteriorate the day they are installed. If u don't know how old it is, replace it.....they're $35.

 

I bought a CSF three row...spining the fan clutch is not a sure fire way to see if it is good.......when hot you should hear it during accelration and feel the air blowing back on the engine while the hood is up ...if it is over a couple three years or so change it out
cameron