Hi all,

I own a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Sport with a 4.0 in-line 6 (118K mi, purchased used 8 months ago).
This is my first Jeep ever and I am loving it.... Best truck I ever purchased.

I am in need of some assistance. The truck is overheating...the temp reaches well over 225 deg. and the electric fan will not kick on.

I have replaced the coolant temp. sensor and fan relay. The fan was replaced because the shroud was cracked. The fan works only when I turn on the AC. It will not come on at normal operation.

Weird thing though..i turned the heat on and the temp rose.
Anti-freeze level is ok. Is there a fuse for the electric fan?
My next step is to replace the thermostat (but I do not think that is the issue).

Can anyone help please.
Thank you

 

The electric fan is the condenser fan for the A/C. I would say start with the Thermostat first. Its cheap and easy to fix.

 

You should be able to force the fan on with the AC. Try turning on your defrost and it should cycle the fan. As far as the temp going up when you turn on the heat, IDK what the heck that is all about. Have you been in the system lately??

 

Thanks for the reply...my next step will be to replace the thermostat and keep going from there.
I have not been in the system lately.

 

While your in there mine as well flush your system and and put fresh coolant.

 

Feel the top hose and the bottom hose with your hand, are they both hot? If not, the water is not circulating probably due to a bad waterpump. If the water isn't circulating then the sensor to kick the fan on has the same water that isn't being heated by the engine, meaning it is still cool and not signaling to kick the fan on. Just another possible option.

 

You can also do what most trail Jeepers do and that is to wire a switch to manually turn the fan on. Most trail Jeepers overheat from slow crawling and lack of air circulating, thus the switch can override the thermostatically controlled fan.

 

I had a bad over heating issue a few months ago so that's what I did was wire it in to a switch and I have yet to have any issues with over heating since.

 

I agree with Dean

Let us know.............

 

I will flush the system while I am in there (might as well) and check the water pump. I will let you know.
Thanks to all for your advice..

 

probably wouldn't hurt to see if the lower radiator hose still has the spring in it.If not its possible for the host to be collapsing on you causing it not to circulate.

 

Good point Jabo. I forgot to mention the spring. If it was disgarded they are hard to find replacements too. You will have to find one in a J/Y.

 

The partstores around here offer a gates brand hose that isnot supposed to collapse but its about 30 bucks for it so far Ive not had no complaints with mine.

 

Gates are the best hoses and belts IMHO.

 

Hello... I dont know about the fan not working but my 98 Cherokee Classic 4.0 kept overheating from losing water and found a hidden pin hole leak in the overfow hose that goes from radiator fill hole to resevoir tank. I also had to replace the fan clutch. Good luck!
Bob