installing an after market temp gauge?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo, CO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
installing an after market temp gauge?
where are you guys installing the sending unit for a gauge? is there another port somewhere I'm not seeing?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo, CO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I searched the forum and saw the sending unit on the head at the back between the valve cover and intake manifold. mine also has a sending unit on the thermostat housing. I'm not sure which one does what. I'm assuming one is for the fan and one for the idiot light? I want to add a gauge so I can actually know what the coolant temp is.
Newbie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
Model: Cherokee
Is it a probe type sending unit? Or thread in?
They make things like this...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2281/
They make things like this...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2281/
Last edited by UserID6095; Aug 15, 2009 at 02:48 PM. Reason: Add link
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 2
From: Conroe, Tx
Year: 1996 & 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
The sensor at the thermostat housing controls the electric fan at about 220 to 230 F
that were I installed temp gauge - I T it in with 1/2 medal 1 in long water pipe and 1/2 T, works OK for me both temp & electric fan works normal - ran temp bulb thought dash on Lt side and drilled 1/2 hole above emergency brake out to the T and tie rapped and installed rubber grommet, silicone firewall hole. I still have lite and gauge to monitor.
that were I installed temp gauge - I T it in with 1/2 medal 1 in long water pipe and 1/2 T, works OK for me both temp & electric fan works normal - ran temp bulb thought dash on Lt side and drilled 1/2 hole above emergency brake out to the T and tie rapped and installed rubber grommet, silicone firewall hole. I still have lite and gauge to monitor.
Last edited by McRay; Aug 15, 2009 at 06:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Pueblo, CO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The sensor at the thermostat housing controls the electric fan at about 220 to 230 F
that were I installed temp gauge - I T it in with 1/2 medal 1 in long water pipe and 1/2 T, works OK for me both temp & electric fan works normal - ran temp bulb thought dash on Lt side and drilled 1/2 hole above emergency brake out to the T and tie rapped and installed rubber grommet, silicone firewall hole. I still have lite and gauge to monitor.
that were I installed temp gauge - I T it in with 1/2 medal 1 in long water pipe and 1/2 T, works OK for me both temp & electric fan works normal - ran temp bulb thought dash on Lt side and drilled 1/2 hole above emergency brake out to the T and tie rapped and installed rubber grommet, silicone firewall hole. I still have lite and gauge to monitor.
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Renix Super Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: In yourz postez fissin jurr spelinzs
Year: 1990XJ/1989MJ
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0L Renix
The sensor on the left rear of the head sends a signal to the idiot light or guage whichever you have. The head sending unit is different for either the light or the guage, as is the oil pressure sending unit if you have a light vs a guage.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 330
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From: Nokomis FLA.
Year: 1992 2dr Sport 2wd & 1992 4dr Laredo 4x4
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter H.O.
Why don't you swap out the gauge cluster & have factory gauges? You will need to replace both the oil & temp sending units. Plus you get a tach!
Seasoned Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 330
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From: Nokomis FLA.
Year: 1992 2dr Sport 2wd & 1992 4dr Laredo 4x4
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter H.O.
search the forum. there are several write ups on it. once you have all the parts it takes maybe 30 mins to do.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 9
From: Paso Robles Ca
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
remove the dummy light unit and install the unit for the new gauge
the dummy light wont work any more but who cares you have a gauge now
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
That link above (Summit) showing the sending unit heater hose adapter would my choice of locations for the sending unit. That way, the sending unit is located in a good stream of flowing coolant and doesn't mess with the dash gauge/light sending unit or the ECU sending unit. Remember, the male/female threads must match or u'll for sure have a leak.