So why does my daughters 96 Sport 4.0 have the Coolant Temp Sensor from a 97? It has the right connector harness and it looks like it's been in there a long time. None of the sensors that the applications list for the 96 have the right connector.

 

The 1996 is the red headed step child of the Cherokee world.

 

And if the 97 sensor matches whats wrong with using it ?

 

^^This^^
96 is the bastard year for finding parts
If you need a new one and the 97 is the right one get the one for the 97.

 

That's what I went and did after I posted...it's just really annoying.

 

Except for the disturbance in the Force it causes...nothing.

It just doesn't bode well for the future.

 

You'll be fine, it just takes a bit more of the verifying process.
After all, even red headed bastard step children can be successful in life...(not speaking out of experience, btw)

 

just a question, but is it possible that this 96 was produced at the end of the 96 production run and 97 parts were interchanged at the factory just to put it out? that might explain why the OP has that strange mix or it could be a total jerry rig job. OP, are you the original owner?

 

I could almost buy that except for the part were when I changed out all her tail lamps and the application choice was whether it was an early model or late model(within that year). And yes...it's the early model for the tail lights. So it uses the lamps of the 95 and earlier and it uses the temp sensor for the 97 and later...

This is Fun...and no, I'm not the original owner.

I would have liked to have been though.

 

interesting.....
at least you're getting consistent temp readings off that sensor. mine shows cold and then normal and back to cold whenever it feels like it. lol

 

There are plenty of threads on that too btw

 

Yeah I know how to fix it I just gotta find the time. That's the hard part