Just swapped the gauge cluster on my 96 xj. New temp and oil senders for gauges. Everything but temp gauge worked. I installed another new temp sender to be sure that wasn't it, still no temp gauge. Went back to pick n pull and swapped for another cluster, still no temp. That pretty much narrows it down to a problem in the jeep to start with. I "think" the idiot light worked when the water pump went out a couple years ago but I can't swear to it. I can say that with the idiot lights the oil light would come on when you turn the key but not the water temp light. Doesn't this sound like an existing problem? But what could it be? I can't find any blown fuses. I'm thinking either the connector plug on the sending unit or the wire itself. One other question, which temp sensor should I have replaced? There is one on the therm housing at front of engine and one on the back of the head near the firewall. I replaced the rear one because I understood the front one to be just for the computer. Was I right or wrong, or need to switch out both? Please help because I need the gauge. Next step is an aftermarket gauge but I wanna keep the interior looking like it was supposed to. Thanks for any input, even if it's just a guess.

 

The sender on the back left of head is the one you want to change. You need to be sure you replace it with the correct sender/switch, there is a sender for a gauge and a hi temp switch for the idiot light. Parts stores seem to get them mixed up. If you ground the wire that goes to the sender, your gauge should show max temp with the ignition on. Hope that helps.

 

As stated, I replaced the sender on the back of the head with the correct one for gauges (twice). Have verified that I was sold correct part # (TU236). The gauge maxes out when I ground the connector. I even swapped the cluster twice. Only thing I can imagine is a manufacturing run of parts put in wrong packaging. Highly unlikely. Any other ideas?

 

If gauge maxed when wire was grounded its a sensor issue. Tu236 list for 1995 not 1996 ?....http://www.jeep4x4center.com/tempera...-56027012.html