There's probably threads on this but wanted to go ahead with a new one. I've had my 96 Cherokee sport for a few months now and have always noticed issues with my gauges. I understand that as far as the oil pressure, water temp and fuel there's always the sending units but even after replacing those (except the fuel float/sender), they still don't read correct. Couple of examples: new thermostat, temp sending unit, water pump and fresh coolant flush the gauge shows 210 degrees. My volt gauge has always read discharging and last week the gen light came one...went to local parts store for a system test and battery was good, starter was good and alternator showed excessive ripple. Replaced the alternator and belt. .fired it up and for the first time it got close to the 14 mark but when I turn on the a/c the gauge shows a serious discharge, multi meter shows no issues. Im wondering if there's a fix for it or if installing after market gauges is the only solution.

 

Have you checked your body and engine block grounds? Also check the ones at the battery. A bad ground can cause any number of crazy situations.

 

Agreed with the grounds. How do you know it isn't running 210 degrees? That isn't entirely unusual.

 

Yes!

 

I cleaned all of the grounds I saw putting in the alternator, added a little dielectric grease to all of the connections. The thermostat was supposedly a 180 degree. The backflush of my coolant system made for clean antifreeze but I guess something also dislodged and now the radiator is leaking. Going to replace it this weekend......

 

That's one issue.

 

Also, the 180 degree t stat opens when temps reach 180 but operating temp is normally 210

 

That makes me feel better about it

 

^^This^^
If you are still unsure of the temp and oil pressure verify them. The temp get an I.R. temp gun and aim it at the t-stat housing. For the oil pressure connect a mechanical pressure gauge where the oil sending unit goes and get the pressure. This will tell you much more closely to what you are actually running.

 

Going go borrow one of the IR tools after I replace the radiator. ....i'm probably overboard compared to most when it comes to checking gauges. ...like for them go be close