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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
So my jeep is a 2000 XJ Sport, with the 4.0 in it, 230k miles. I'm running a 3" Old Man Emu lift, with 31" Cooper Discoverer MTP tires. I have a HF Badlands winch on the front.
I've been battling a cooling issue for about 6 months now. It's either an airflow issue, or a water flow issue (although I'm leaning more towards air flow). Up hills, idling, and slow trails, it heats up. Downhill or cruising it cools properly. I have replaced a few parts that were for sure needing replacement. Those were my radiator, many fins were smushed and full of gunk. So I have a brand new radiator. I replaced my thermostat because it was not opening properly. It's a 180* stat, even though factory is 195*. I went with the 180 because that's all I could get my hands on at the time. My e-fan does not work properly from what I can tell, although I cannot find any definitive answer to when it should be on. The only other things that I can think of that would be causing this problem would be the clutch fan not up to par, or the water pump.
Is there anything I am just missing?
How do I go about checking the clutch fan to see if it is functioning like it should?
Same question for the water pump?
My next issue is my headlights. There are a couple things I am having a problem with. The first is being their brightness. At night, with just the low beams, I can hardly see anything off to the left side of the road. It isn't much better with the brights on. The second is that 90% of the time I go to flip on my brights, all of my lights cut out. High beams, low beams, tail lights, running lights, everything just goes dark. The only time I can reliably count on my high beams working is when the right turn signal is going.
Is there an inexpensive solution to brightness?
Where do I start with the high beam issue?
I'm trying to fix these on my own and inexpensively as possible, although I know some parts are not cheap. I don't have a ton of mechanic experience, mostly what I know I've learned on this Jeep. So any input is appreciated!
Can you define "heats up"? Your description sounds like classic symptoms of a bad fan clutch. As it "heats up", you should hear a distinct roar from the fan as you pull away from a stop.
In a '00 model, the two things that trigger the electric fan are 223 degree coolant temperature, or the A/C system reaches pressures of 300 psi high side, 20 psi low side. The fan should run until coolant temp. lowers to 217 degrees, and/or A/C system pressure lowers to 235 psi. If the A/C system isn't charged, only coolant temperature will trigger the aux fan because A/C pressures will never be reached.
As far as the headlights... The very first thing you need to do is install a $20 headlight relay harness if you haven't already. You can improve it from there with H4 housings and bulbs. It also sounds like your light switch has overheated and needs to be replaced. If you install the harness, you likely will never have to replace the switch again.
Ah yeah, sorry. It normally operates at about 180-185 degrees with the thermostat that is in it. It will heat up to 210-220 going up hills, idling, or slow trailing. (I do have a 1950 degree thermostat to put in once I figure out these issues.)
Do you know of any place that carries OEM fan clutches?
For the headlight relay harness, is there one you'd recommend over others?
Last edited by Spencer Hallenbeck; 03-02-2018 at 01:42 PM.
Ah yeah, sorry. It normally operates at about 180-185 degrees with the thermostat that is in it. It will heat up to 210-220 going up hills, idling, or slow trailing. (I do have a 1950 degree thermostat to put in once I figure out these issues.)
Do you know of any place that carries OEM fan clutches?
For the headlight relay harness, is there one you'd recommend over others?
the coolimg situation sounds normal to me, but i will agree to put in the 195 t stat and Napa carries the fan clutch
With the 195 degree in it, it will overheat as it sits (which is why I have the 180). The gauge will pin to the top and it'll bubble over. So I know there is something wrong I just can't track down the issue. I'm ordering a new fan clutch, after searching around I found the one from NAPA that it seems like most people replace with. We'll see what that does. I am also looking for a low profile electric fan to put between the grill and ac condenser unit, run to a switch. Also looking for a replacement e-fan for the stock location, but can't find one that has good reviews or is a direct OEM replacement.
If that doesn't get you where you like with the sealed-beam headlights you have now, consider some E-code Hella H4 housings and the bulbs of your choice. I bought some NOS German Bosch E-code housings on Ebay a while back for $50 a pair and they are really nice. Part #0 301 019 100 0301019100 I run 100/55W bulbs in them.
If that doesn't get you where you like with the sealed-beam headlights you have now, consider some E-code Hella H4 housings and the bulbs of your choice. I bought some NOS German Bosch E-code housings on Ebay a while back for $50 a pair and they are really nice. Part #0 301 019 100 0301019100 I run 100/55W bulbs in them.
There is a wiring mod needs done if you have and are using OEM fog lights but that's covered in JHC's thread I believe. If they're not used it's plug and play. I don't have any experience with the LED's but two things I see pop up regarding them is don't buy cheap and they won't melt ice/snow build up.
My ( the wife's) '94 XJ had lousy head lights too. Only thing I did ( I was prepared to re-wire with heavier wire & relays) was switch to "performance" head lamps from Advance Auto. Big difference !!
Replacing the fan clutch is what I've done on several vehicles, when other "fixes" didn't help... I guess that they do get tired with age (?)
Last edited by steelybill; 03-02-2018 at 11:03 PM.
My ( the wife's) '94 XJ had lousy head lights too. Only thing I did ( I was prepared to re-wire with heavier wire & relays) was switch to "performance" head lamps from Advance Auto. Big difference !!
Replacing the fan clutch is what I've done on several vehicles, when other "fixes" didn't help... I guess that they do get tired with age (?)
Yes, I thought about that. When looking in the wiring diagrams, I found that there were already relays in the headlamp circuits, but not sure if they are for high/low switching & not carrying much power, or if they carry the load.. I didn't get into it that far..
I'll have to do a current draw check on them to see how much more the new lamps draw..
Yes, I thought about that. When looking in the wiring diagrams, I found that there were already relays in the headlamp circuits, but not sure if they are for high/low switching & not carrying much power, or if they carry the load.. I didn't get into it that far..
I'll have to do a current draw check on them to see how much more the new lamps draw..
Look again at the diagram. There are no relays except the one for High/low beam. The system needs the harness upgrade.
03-01-2018, 11:34 PM
Headlights and Cooling Problems
