Hey Guys, last visited a while back when thinking to swap a 1988 Renix to a 1996 4.0. Have since found a 1998 Wrangler motor, which after moving a few parts around, seems to work well. My only issue is the 1996 motor had a temp. sensor @ rear of the head & temp sensor @ thermostat housing. new motor only has sensor @ t-stat. housing, and temp. gauge does not work. Will I need to tie rear sensor into wiring for front t-stat sensor to make things work ? Only one wire to rear temp. sensor., but which wire to splice into ?? I am good mechanically, but not so much "electrical" !!! Want to make sure everything is working properly before turning the daughter loose in it again. Also, does any know of a way to attach "Bells, Alarms, Whistles, Flashing Lights", to indicate an OVERHEATING issue before it becomes critical ???? Seat belt warnings come to mind, but nothing for overheating ?? Any ideas would be Greatly Appreciated I am too OLD to be this stuff !!!! Thanks, Stormy

 

Honestly, the EASIEST way to remedy this situation is to drill a hole in the t-stat housing and cut appropriate threads into it and mount the temp sensor there. Some folks use an adapter to mount both in the existing port for the CTS sensor. In other words, re-locate the temp sending unit.
You'd be surprised how inexpensive a new t-stat housing is. I'd buy a new one, perform the modifications and be satisfied with the work and then swap it out. That way if you bugger up the housing the first time, you're only out a bit of cash rather than having a dead/non-running Jeep.
You can google how to do either style of relocation, it's a very common solution for your exact problem.

I'm sure it's possible to set up a buzzer that triggers upon hitting a certain temp, but the better solution might be to impress upon your daughter the importance of not letting the engine run dangerously hot and have her get in the habit of looking at the temp and oil pressure gauges when she glances down at the speedo. Perhaps insinuating that you will NOT be helping her put a third engine in the Jeep and definitely will NOT providing financial assistance for another car will help her remember to notice and take immediate action (in other words, pull the f over and turn the dang engine off) if the temp goes past the middle of the gauge.
I swapped my gauge set out (from basic to full gauge cluster) specifically so I could monitor engine temp and oil pressure. I am comfortable driving without a reading on the speedo, tach, electrical or even fuel gauge - but I don't like driving without being able to see right away if my temp is creeping up and (to a lesser extent) where my oil pressure is.