Of course we don't know weather or not it's a 4.0. That might explain.....

 

Autozone part number TU-238 is the sensor for warning LIGHT
TU-236 Temp Gauge

You'll also notice the warning light senders have black plastic harness clip atop the sender, while the gauge sender has white plastic.

Same part numbers for the inline 4cyl.

 

It looks to be on crooked maybe. The replacement is white and same size with the correct prong count. Rrich you have a thing with pissing people off by not reading don't you? The socket cannot fit between some of the sides and the valve cover.
Sorry i thought my specs under my profile pic listed my xj as the 96 to exclude the renix.

 

Wow! Just never know when you are gonna step in a big steaming pile!

Have fun, with whatever it is...gotta go scrape off my boot.

 

Not sure i understand how you took that, but i was saying i didnt realize the mobile app. Doesnt include specs under the profile pic. That was in reference to the replies about the differences.

Ill find out soon enough if a po screwed it in sideways. Might explain why my gauge fluctuates so much.

 

On the back of the head, the temp SENDER is in the same place as a Renix FWIW.

 

I wish that I had some input for you on a easier way to take it off. But mainly wanted to see if you had it changed out yet. That really sucks that you are having such a hard time with it.
Good Luck!

 

"""""Rrich you have a thing with pissing people off by not reading don't you"""""

I get irritated when people are so stupid they can't do things like they are told.

A deep socket will fit fine - unless you have a super thick one - a super cheapie!
Everyone else with a 4.0 is able to put a socket on it fine - why can't you? I just tried it on 2!
Like anyone - if something is in the way - move it!

 

I've never had an issue in removing a SENDER from the driver's side corner at the back of the head on any Renix or HO that was equipped that way. This makes no sense to me.

 

That, ^, got me thinking. My 2.5 has something different. Not 1/4 inch of course, but something....since he won't say what he has, (then gave someone trying to help ****), I didn't go look.

 

Says 4.0 in the OP's profile so I can't imagine what the problem is. Non-factory sender and gauge?

 

Can he just ground the sensor wire and see if his gauge goes up? (and down off). If that shows the gauge is the issue maybe let sleeping dog's lie if that sensor is working. If not, taking Rrich's advise and pulling the valve cover sounds way better than risking boogering something up.


I suppose a sensor for a light would leave the gauge "off" unless it overheated, then make it act goofy as it got too hot?

Fisher, it never hurts to post what you are working on. Call me a snob, I don't want to need to look for that. Each time I click on something here I need to wait for Google, double click, add manager, a whole host of other parties, then finally cherokeeforum comes up. Sounds like a pain, hope it works out. Just stop, pull the cover, (if it is indeed in the way), and use the correct 6 point, while it's hot. Don't know what else you could do...

I wonder, in a real bind, could a guy use a t-stat housing from a later model and hook up the gauge there?

And, yea, it's the little things can really make your blood boil. I once swapped an old Ford truck motor in 1/2 a day, spent the other 1/2 hooking the solenoid wire to the starter.

 

Sorry I haven't posted any follow up, I have been really busy with school. Hopefully tonight when I get back I can try the 1/4 drive sockets I borrowed. I really didn't want to take the cover off because I wanted to test if it was the sensor before I replaced my radiator to know if I should buy a new tstat while I was at it, or not. More work than I was looking for at the moment.

If I have to take the cover off I will just wait until I get the time in the next month or two to replace my exhaust manifold since I have to tear everything off that side anyway. That way I can get everything cleaned up and fixed in one go.

I am still thinking the thing is crooked in there, we will see!

 

If it's giving that much of a problem there has to be something wrong. Like you said "it look crooked". Maybe some one did change it out and cross threaded it and it is sitting crooked. Or, It was changed out and the wrong one was put in. You will never know until you can get it out. Good luck.

 

Well, think "surgical". It's a pretty raw feeling when you have boogered something up trying to save time, then realize you could have got'r done with another rout. Btw, I need to **** can the new POS thermostat I bought at O'Smileys, and ether drive (out of state) to the dealer, or at the least go to Napa and change out it again.