I know I need a coolant temperature sensor but I don’t know if I need a sending unit that goes to my gauge because I want to put in my own custom gauge and I want to know if I can just get rid of it

 

The little one at the back of the head does NOTHING more than drive the dash gauge... I'm not sure if that's what you're asking though.

 

I would buy a factory replacement sensor and drill a hole in the t-stat housing for it and extend the connector and wires to reach.
Does your factory gauge work, the gauge itself not the sensor?

 

You have to verify that any gauge / sender unit you replace have matching resistance values...an aftermarket gauge might not run on the same resistance values as stock and the same goes for the sender....there are resistance values listed for the temp senders in the jeep manuals...whatever system you get should have the resistances in their manuals also

 

As previously stated, the sender and gauge are a matched set, so although your gauge may work, you have no assurance it will be accurate.

In other words, No

 

yeah thats what I’m asking. Thanks for The help

 

ok thanks

 

I got one that goes in the upper radiator hose and it runs to a gauge that goes to the fuse panel

 

My son replaced his motor in his XJ and engine was different year. He could not hook up to temprature guage so he bought a simple plug in type scanner that plugs under the drivers side plug in area and it was able to read and show his temperature. He keeps it plugged in all the time and can also read any other codes.

Not sure what type of scanner, but it is a small plug in unit with a digital display, no cables or wires.

 

no it doesn’t but I wired in my own gauge and since my temp sensor is bad I’m going to replace it so my engine doesn’t run rich My original gauge won’t work but it’s not very accurate anyways

 

probably an obd2 I got an adapter for my upper coolant hose that goes to a custom gauge in the interior that shows my temp