The pic I posted earlier was not of mine I just found it on google. Do you want me to run and snag a pic of mine?

 

Check all your battery and charging connections make sure they are not loose or dirty. Maybe have a peak inside of the wire loom that house's the battery postive and negtive wires make sure they are not jacked up. When you checked the power level did it read 14v while running? Is this a brand new battery? Is there any other issues besides that gauge?

 

You don't have to now but when you get a chance I'd appreciate it.

 

Pull that wire off of the temp sender and ground it (key on). The temp gauge should go full scale (hot). Then let it hang disconnected- gauge should drop to zero.
If that stuff happens your gauge and wiring is working, the sender is kaput.

 

Alright will do! Also try what Radi said that sounds like a pretty straight forward test.

 

96 4.0 its called temp switch...http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...mString=search it screws in here ....

 

Well then I must have a different motor the PO said they had put a second in it because I don't have that hole in the head to screw in a switch. It's smooth and not filled in from what I can tell there just isn't any kind of hole.

 

I have dealt with this on a few engine swaps. You need to drill and tap the head where that smooth spot is.

. You can do it with the engine still in

 

Ok well why is it that the hole isn't there? Is it not a 96 4.0 HO? I also saw on a few forums that the 96-98 only had one sensor to work the fan and gauge.

 

newer xjs the cts does it so they stoped drilling it out some have taped into the cts wit nipple and tee and extended the wiring

 

like this just install your switch where manuall one is

 

+1, if it were me, I'd do it that way!

 

x3^ I was going to ask you if it was possible to re-route that to the thremo housing. But it looks like freegdr has got the right idea!

 

You probably have a newer head. '96 still has the separate sensor, I believe 97 or 98 they started buffering the gauge readings through the PCM, no longer needed the separate temp gauge sender.

 

Ok well thanks for all the info you all have been a great help!!!