Recently bought a well-used 2000 XJ Sport and it is running hot: I get the "Check Gauges" light and the water temp gauge goes nuts if the engine is already hot and I then idle for 10+ minutes on a hot day with the A/C turned on. If I turn the heat on and start driving the temp drops immediately.

I've flushed the coolant several times and the hoses pressurize nicely so I imagine the water pump is OK. The mechanical fan provides good resistance when I try to spin it by hand. The head is an 0331 but I haven't pulled the valve cover to check for cracks. I don't have the plastic shroud around the mechanical fan.

What is confusing me is that I see threads discussing problems with an "electric fan." My 2000 only has one fan - the mechanical one - and I don't see obvious signs that there ever was an electric radiator fan. Am I missing an electric fan? Or did this only come on certain model years?

 

as far as i know every 2000 xj has both fans. start digging.

 

AFAIK, they weren't made without the electric fan.

Post a pic of your engine compartment, if you can. Or, try to answer a few questions:

1. Do you have a plastic shroud for the mechanical fan?
2. What is to the left (driver) side of the mechanical fan? (That's where the electric should be.)

 

Is it possible that the blue connector was for an electric fan? I assumed this had something to do with my non-working left fog light but hadn't thought much about it.

 

Yes you are missing the fan and the shroud. Both are critical, especially for your 2000 which is prone to heat soak and head cracks.

That plug is in the right place for the efan.

Also, your gauge "goes crazy" because its a dirty liar
http://gunscarstech.com/overheat

 

Mystery solved. I even notice cracked plastic mounting tabs hanging off the 8mm bolts where the efan should be now. Just bought a fan and shroud on Amazon. Thanks.