Big D!

95 cherokee with a 96 YJ motor... while im driving the temp stays between the first two lines on the temp gauge. when im sitting still, idling, the temp quickly rises til the aux. fan comes on. is that normal? or is it time for a new radiator?

djb383

No, not normal. I'd suspect/investigate a gauge/sending unit issue 1st. If I understand your post correctly, u r talking about a +/-100* swing back and forth.....wouldn't think a rad would cause that. Fan "on" temp is +/-218* Guess there's always a possibility that the PO removed the stat and the rad is clogged. No telling what a PO does/doesn't do.

austinjoe13

x2 on thermostat

centuryhouse

Just curious - what is the typical operating temperature for a Cherokee that has warmed up? Mine tends to sit at around 150-175, or if sitting at idle in backed up summer traffic, it swings up to 210.

austinjoe13

That's about where mine sits

C H E R O K E E 98XJ

Mine will warm up to 210 and stay there always. Maybe drop a hair but that's it.

xjsnake

^this is normal^

Big D!

The reason. I think it may be the radiator is cause the temp drops when the auxiliary fan kicks on. If it were the thermostat wouldn't it stay that high regardless?

djb383

Have u verified it has a t-stat? Presuming a 195 stat is installed and functioning correctly and everything else is in good shape/functioning correctly, including the gauge, sending unit and electrical connection, the temp gauge needle should point at and vary only slightly +/- the middle of the gauge after the motor has warmed up. Only on a cold motor is it normal for the gauge to point between the 1st and 2nd marks and that's just for a minute or 2 while the motor is warming up.

cropduster

My 01 XJ sits at 210 routinely. Peaks at about 213 in this 96 degree heat in around town driving w/AC on. Drops back to 210 or a hair lower on the highway.

djb383

213......r u using something other than the factory gauge to determine this number?

ryan8551226

My 01 does same exact thing

Big D!

if im moving, driving around town, not stopped, it sits about the first line. so thats not good?

djb383

No, that's not good/correct. Should be slightly +/- the middle of the gauge.

NFJ79

In heavy traffic the needle sits just over 210 in heavy traffic. Once I get moving it sit at 210 or just below. I also live in the desert.