My Cherokee says it runs WAY under 210 degrees
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 56
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From: Oregon
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
My 91 Cherokee says it runs under 210 degrees and the heater will not blow hot air it only blows warm air. I just replaced thermostat, tested the heater core flow, replaced the heater hoses, and checked the heater control value.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,347
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From: Wetumpka, AL
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You need to verify actual Temps with either a probe or IR thermometer first. Factory guages are notorious for being incorrect. It's also recommended by well known members to eliminate the heater control valve as they commonly fail.
Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 115
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From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Did you put in a 195 F thermostat? When i used a 180 F, my XJ would never warm up all the way, it would pretty much stay at 180 unless it was a long highway drive. You can always test the thermostat in hot water to make sure it is opening up when it is supposed to. I have had 3 bad thermostats and always test them now before I put them in.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Did you put in a 195 F thermostat? When i used a 180 F, my XJ would never warm up all the way, it would pretty much stay at 180 unless it was a long highway drive. You can always test the thermostat in hot water to make sure it is opening up when it is supposed to. I have had 3 bad thermostats and always test them now before I put them in.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 580
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From: Saginaw Mi area
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The heater control valve may be opening only halfway etc.
Are both heater hoses hot ?
Temp sensor may be lying to you too.
Did you have heat before, or did you do the thermostat to get heat ?
Just wonderin' ...
Are both heater hoses hot ?
Temp sensor may be lying to you too.
Did you have heat before, or did you do the thermostat to get heat ?
Just wonderin' ...
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: California
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Your blend doors inside the heater box may not be operating correctly. Also, what is the average outside temperature in your area when this problem occurs?
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CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,347
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From: Wetumpka, AL
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My weak heat was contributed to a leaking heater core. I replaced other parts when I did the core. Evap coil, blower motor and resistor.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Verify the temp of the heater hoses. I would eliminate the heater control valve as a matter of course anyway.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
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From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Was it a 195 "FailSafe" stat?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 56
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From: Oregon
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
The top hose gets extremly hot and the bottom hose gets warm and last time I checked the top hose was just getting steam in it I believe. I changes the thermostat to get heat.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 56
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From: Oregon
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Yes I changed the thermostat because of the heater not working well and the temp gage reading low but it did not change anything. My dad and I believe it may be caused by air getting into the cooling system but we cannot figure out how.
Last edited by DakWill91; Jan 21, 2015 at 03:39 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Right now it is around high 20s low 30s and even if it runs for a long time nothing changes. I have to have the heat coming from the window vents constantly because the heater is not warm enough to keep the windows defrosted


