MULTIPLE QUESTIONS (mainly that have been bouncing around in my head for a while)
Thread Starter
CF Veteran

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 0
From: Palestine, TX
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1. Do they make a throttle body spacer for a 88? Heres one but its from 97 and up, yeah they both are FI, however 97 and up inline-6 have coil-over ignition and I have a distributor, I know it doesnt sound related, but some companys build them so everything but the main engine body is different. So will it fit? here is the link.....
http://www.4wd.com/subcategories.aspx?cid=1&jeep-sid=4
2. Everything, like all of my syptoms for a coolant temp. sensor, IE,
a. ECM is not sending power to the electric fan relay
b. The temp gauge is wayyyyyy off from actual temp
c. Acting like the egr valve is messed up
But, I dont have one! at first I thought someone put the wrong thermostat housing in it, however, there is no plug in, (if that were true)

3. what is this?

thanks guys
http://www.4wd.com/subcategories.aspx?cid=1&jeep-sid=4
2. Everything, like all of my syptoms for a coolant temp. sensor, IE,
a. ECM is not sending power to the electric fan relay
b. The temp gauge is wayyyyyy off from actual temp
c. Acting like the egr valve is messed up
But, I dont have one! at first I thought someone put the wrong thermostat housing in it, however, there is no plug in, (if that were true)

3. what is this?

thanks guys
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,495
Likes: 3
From: Edmond, OK
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 ltr
To answer question 1. I believe the 2000-2001 had coil over ignition, anything prior had distributor. And a throttle body spacer is only good for a throttle body injected engine. I am not sure if 88 was TBI or not... If it is not TBI then the spacer will do you very little to no good.
To answer question 1. I believe the 2000-2001 had coil over ignition, anything prior had distributor. And a throttle body spacer is only good for a throttle body injected engine. I am not sure if 88 was TBI or not... If it is not TBI then the spacer will do you very little to no good.
In my own stupidity it was when I was changing the oil. Wasn't looking, got the wrench around it and pulled - heard the snap and then realized what I did. And
it was $30 for me! lol
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Thread Starter
CF Veteran

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 0
From: Palestine, TX
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
To answer question 1. I believe the 2000-2001 had coil over ignition, anything prior had distributor. And a throttle body spacer is only good for a throttle body injected engine. I am not sure if 88 was TBI or not... If it is not TBI then the spacer will do you very little to no good.
but still, can anyone enlighten me about the coolant temp sensor issue??? thats my main concern, because my manual covers all xj's it doesnt really help in this situation
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 3
From: Northern Illinois
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Renix Cherokee(and Comanches) 1987-1990 are EFI.. Multiport just like the the later ones. The only TBI Cherokees are the early 4-cyl models.
1. Yes.. they did make throttle body spacers for Renix models. But I believe everyone has discontinued them now. Its been 19 years since the last Renix models were built. No economic reason to continue making the spacers.
But like one of the other posters pointed out... a spacer on an Multi-port injection system will do almost nothing.
2. A Renix uses two coolant temp sensors. One at the back of the head for the gauge. One on the side of the engine for the ECM functions. The important one is under the exhaust manifold in the block.
3. That is your oil pressure sensor. There are two different versions. One for vehicles with gauges and one for vehicles with an idiot light. They are not interchangeable.
Your A,B,C problems could all be caused by bad coolant temp sensors. But seeing how you are talking about two different sensors on this motor. How do you know your gauge is off?? Have you used a seperate thermometer to determine the actual temp?
1. Yes.. they did make throttle body spacers for Renix models. But I believe everyone has discontinued them now. Its been 19 years since the last Renix models were built. No economic reason to continue making the spacers.
But like one of the other posters pointed out... a spacer on an Multi-port injection system will do almost nothing.
2. A Renix uses two coolant temp sensors. One at the back of the head for the gauge. One on the side of the engine for the ECM functions. The important one is under the exhaust manifold in the block.
3. That is your oil pressure sensor. There are two different versions. One for vehicles with gauges and one for vehicles with an idiot light. They are not interchangeable.
Your A,B,C problems could all be caused by bad coolant temp sensors. But seeing how you are talking about two different sensors on this motor. How do you know your gauge is off?? Have you used a seperate thermometer to determine the actual temp?
Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 186
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From: Columbus, IN
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4 banger....my ***
As for question number one i'd say a throttle body spacer is going to be pointless they don't really help a 4.0 at all from what I have heard. They do make a throttle body spacer for 87-90's though
Thread Starter
CF Veteran

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,025
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From: Palestine, TX
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
well i knew that they point to a bad temp sensor (due to the symptoms), but i know the gauge is off because it starts to act like it is over heating, the fan doesnt kick in at all (no power to the relay) and someone at work compared his temp thangy to my gauge.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 28,068
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From: Tenn. and Mich.
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 3
From: Northern Illinois
Year: 90
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I ask about the coolant temp sensor, because on most other ones it is there at the thermostat housing, i cant find the other ones!! lol the on under the exhaust, isnt that a oil temp sensor? and the one at the back of the head, isnt that a engine temp sensor? whats the one near the intake for?
well i knew that they point to a bad temp sensor (due to the symptoms), but i know the gauge is off because it starts to act like it is over heating, the fan doesnt kick in at all (no power to the relay) and someone at work compared his temp thangy to my gauge.
well i knew that they point to a bad temp sensor (due to the symptoms), but i know the gauge is off because it starts to act like it is over heating, the fan doesnt kick in at all (no power to the relay) and someone at work compared his temp thangy to my gauge.
The sensor that is in the intake is the MAT(manifold air temp) sensor.
Which side of the relay has no power??? It could be a problem on the supply side of the relay and not one one on the switch side. The relay has 4 wires leading to it. 2 inputs, one output and a ground. Trying swapping a known good relay in and testing the fan by putting the defroster or air conditioner on.
The reason I asked had you used a known good thermometer to check the actual temp is that A and C could both be related to the front CTS being bad, but the B problem would have to be related to the back sensor.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,025
Likes: 0
From: Palestine, TX
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
lol, right now i have the 85 and 86 jumped with a toggle so i can run the fan manually, (i specialize in electrial bugs with motorcycles and tractors)


