Hello Fellow Jeep Heads!

I have a 97 XJ (Cherokee Sport). 2wd, Automatic. (Check my Album on my profile if you're interested in pics!)

There is a Sensor on the back side (firewall side) of the Intake Manifold. It is very small. I haven't been able to get underneath the vehicle to see if the connector is dangling around yet (Due to my work hours and limited day light), but I was wandering if anyone could give me a heads up on what this sensor is.

I have included a Bing image link below, where you can see the sensor circled. According to that picture's link, it is a Transmission Temperature Sensor in a Grand Cherokee, but that doesn't sound right to me (I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time lol). I am a part-time car mechanic and have a decent amount of experience with engines in general. Any help is appreciated before I crawl underneath and get dirty this weekend

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...0o0&ajaxhist=0



Edit:
Maybe the Intake was pulled from a Grand Cherokee as a replacement and that sensor isn't used on my XJ and is now being used as a plug at this point? Appreciate any feedback

 

if i remember correctly, in 97+ the coolant temp sensor and temperature sending unit are the same, in earlier models it is 2 separate sensors. what you have there is the temperature sending unit (not to be mistaken with the coolant temperature sensor which is in the thermostat housing).

and it's not for the transmission, it's for the coolant and is used for the dash temperature gauge only, serves no other purpose.

hope it helps

 

Ah, I see! That makes sense!

I'm thinking the Intake Manifold was replaced with one from an older engine and mine uses the Temperature Sensor by the Thermostat alone.

I say this because that sensor on the Intake is not plugged in and my Temperature reads true on the Temp Gauge inside the cab.

Thank you for your reply! Very much appreciated!


Edit:
The Cooling fans kick on as well when appropriate, so this is why I believe my Fan Relay and Temperature Sending Unit is both ran from the Temp Sensor on the Thermostat housing. Thanks again for the information!

 

yep sounds about right, no problem!

 

From early 96 and before that was the sender for your temp gauge ...from late 96 the sender in the tstat housing drives the computer for fuel regulation and the computer now drives the gauge and that port was plugged

 

AND...if you look closely, that sensor is in the head, not the intake manifold.