Moving down the road temp gauge reads about 210. When I slow down or idle it moves up a tad to 220ish. Today when temp was on the high side I got out and checked the fan and it was not on. I shut off and restarted engine and the fan came on and the temp dropped to 210. The fan works when I turn on the AC. I checked Rad fluid and there is about 1.5 inch in the pressure bottle.

So I guess the fan is ok. What do I need to look at that controls when it turns on?

What other signs can I look for that indicates that my Jeep is running too warm? I read that 210-220 is ok but I also read that it is too warm.

Thanks all!
BIH

 

My gauge creeps up to about 222 at idle. Always returns to 210. Just for a piece of mind I bought a temp gun at autozone for $30. With the dash gauge at 222 the thermostat housing had a temp at 210 with temp variations of 3-4 degree plus or minus depending on where I pointed it. While measuring, my e-fan turned on for about a minute and shut off.

Is the thermo casing the most accurate spot to take temp? If I pointed at the engine where the thermo casing attached the temp would go up alot, about 240-260.

Thanks
BIH

 

My jeeps temp gauge acts funny when I DONT have my ac on now. It was "overheating" when I was just parked for too long with the AC on, found out my electric fan wasnt kicking on, got it swapped it and now it works.

 

It's my understanding the point-n-shoot laser thermometers are sensitive to surface color and finsh. Shiney/light colored surfaces, the reading is somewhat less accurate/lower...dull/dark colored surfaces the reading is more accurate.

FSM for a '98 XJ says the ECU activates the efan at 218F coolant temp, if that helps any.