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Feb 27, 2012 | 04:30 PM

#16

Snuffleupawhat

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Model: Cherokee

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdhebert

No need to drill anything. Just change to a newer style thermostat housing. The threaded port for the sensor is already in it. Very simple...

i apologize that i need so much more information, but is this something that needs to be jerry rigged at all? and is the housing something i, or i should say my mechanic could just purchase online new? if so i'll call him up and see if he can get this done as well.

Feb 27, 2012 | 04:33 PM

#17

Snuffleupawhat

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Model: Cherokee

is there anyone in the brandon/tampa area that wouldn't mind taking a look at this thing? i thought the extra money would mean no headache i was wrong. i haven't even tried the 4 wheel drive out yet.

Feb 27, 2012 | 04:38 PM

#18

djb383

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From: The Republic of TEXAS

Year: 1998

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L HO

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdhebert

I just rebuilt a 98 engine and swapped it into my 98. I'm positive the only coolant sensor I installed is in the tstat housing, and my dash guage works.

The OP has a '96 XJ.....things changed '97 up. '97 up, the ECU controls where the needles point via sensors, on '96 down sending units control where the needles point.

Last edited by djb383; Feb 27, 2012 at 04:42 PM.

Feb 27, 2012 | 04:42 PM

#19

cdhebert

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From: Gonzales, Louisiana

Year: 1998

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0

Quote:

Originally Posted by djb383

The OP has a '96 XJ.....things changed '97 up.

So his engine has a sensor there, it just doesn't operate the dash guage?
Is it possible to tie the two harnesses together to run off of the same sensor? Just an idea.

Feb 27, 2012 | 04:57 PM

#20

djb383

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From: The Republic of TEXAS

Year: 1998

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L HO

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdhebert

So his engine has a sensor there, it just doesn't operate the dash guage?
Is it possible to tie the two harnesses together to run off of the same sensor? Just an idea.

Negative, the OP's '96 XJ came with a gauge sending unit mounted in the rear drivers side of the head on the ORIGINAL motor for the dash temp gauge AND a coolant temp sensor mounted in the t-stat housing for the ECU. '97 up XJs only have a coolant temp sensor located in the t-stat housing. Everything I've read says attaching another wire to the coolant temp sensor will interfere with the signal to the ECU. On '97 up, the ECU (via sensors) controls the needles, on '96 down sending units control the needles.

A scan tool, that displays coolant temp, can simply be plugged into the port under the dash and it will display coolant temp way more accurately than any factory dash gauge.

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:05 PM

#21

Snuffleupawhat

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Model: Cherokee

Quote:

Originally Posted by djb383

A scan tool, that displays coolant temp, can simply be plugged into the port under the dash and it will display coolant temp way more accurately than any factory dash gauge.

can you link me to one that will work?

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:12 PM

#22

djb383

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From: The Republic of TEXAS

Year: 1998

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L HO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffleupawhat

can you link me to one that will work?

http://www.scangauge.com/

Google scan tool.....I'm sure there are many others.

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:23 PM

#23

fishtaconc

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From: Watha,NC

Year: Jeepless at the moment

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffleupawhat

i bought a cherokee about a month ago, after it had some minor issues i took it in to get it looked at. i just got a call letting me know the engine that is in there is not the original engine, i guess i can run the engine vin when i get it back to see where it came from. what bothers me is that the engine is a "junkyard motor", the mechanic said he could see this because of dots that melt if overheated on the motor. so i was given a carfax, and at no point dose it mention something like this. i did sign an as-is agreement, do i have any legal recourse? i still love this jeep, but i paid a hefty penny for it $3900+taxes and dealer fees, and the reason i felt comfortable doing so was because it only had 98,000 miles on it. i haven't even called the dealer yet, i wanna gather as much information here as possible.

The closest to a vin on the engine will be the date code. I believe the valve cover has a code with the serial # but that is not conclusive of anything. I have seen someone put a tee into the thermostat housing, and add a sender fro the gauge there. For the fact of the unknown mileage/condition of the engine, a compression test may be in order to get an idea the internal condition of the engine, although this test will not provide a definitive answer its cheaper/easier than tearing the engine down. As for recourse, call the dealer see if they will help track down the previous 1 and only owner, if so maybe they can shed some light on what happened to this engine.

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:33 PM

#24

Snuffleupawhat

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alright well i get it back tomorrow, i think i'll get the scan gauge for now and look in to getting the t put in. i'm starting to doubt it had 1 owner, the carfax is in the glove compartment, so i'll wait for that. how much would a compression test run me?

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:43 PM

#25

djb383

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From: The Republic of TEXAS

Year: 1998

Model: Cherokee

Engine: 4.0L HO

....and the ScanGauge can be moved from one '96 up vehicle to the next, to the next, to the next.

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:48 PM

#26

Snuffleupawhat

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Model: Cherokee

you guys have been a huge help, so there has to be a temp gauge hooked up for the ecu right? the idea that there isn't is out of the realm of possibility? i just don't wanna buy this thing only to find out it won't report correctly.

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:49 PM

#27

fishtaconc

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From: Watha,NC

Year: Jeepless at the moment

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffleupawhat

You "rent" the gauge for free at the big box parts stores for free, you buy it, use and return it for a full refund. For time being I would also recommend picking up at a haynes manual, its not great but it serves a purpose for the average DIYer, if you look on the drivers side of the head, you will probably have to clean the grime off, there should be a casting # next to the valve cover.

Feb 27, 2012 | 05:53 PM

#28

fishtaconc

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From: Watha,NC

Year: Jeepless at the moment

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snuffleupawhat

Even with everything right, the jeep gauges aren't exactly know for their exceptional accuracy.

The ECU gets its reading from the sensor at the tstat housing.

Last edited by fishtaconc; Feb 27, 2012 at 05:55 PM.

Feb 27, 2012 | 06:00 PM

#29

Snuffleupawhat

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Model: Cherokee

ayiyi, i'm picking one up at autozone tomorrow. seems it got passed over but how much can i expect to pay for a compression test? so the ecu reads off the t-stat housing, and the dash read from a completely separate t-stat?