Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Electric Fan Running Most Of The Time

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-11-2015 | 10:02 PM
  #1  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default Electric Fan Running Most Of The Time

New to me '89 XJ. Electric fan seems to be running a lot. Even goes on when dead cold as I'm starting up. Normal?
Old 12-11-2015 | 10:49 PM
  #2  
jpmarine6786's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 375
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

AC or defroster on?
Old 12-11-2015 | 10:50 PM
  #3  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

Nope.
Old 12-11-2015 | 11:13 PM
  #4  
jpmarine6786's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 375
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Is your temperature gage working, if the sensor isn't plugged in the fan will run at all times.
Old 12-11-2015 | 11:19 PM
  #5  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

I'm on idiot lights right now, but I have a full-gauge cluster in the mail. I'll know what temps I'm running in a few days. Meanwhile I'll check the connection.
Old 12-12-2015 | 02:01 AM
  #6  
93_xjcherokee's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 9
From: tucson
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

X2 on the connection. That's how I test my fan, I unplug the sensor.
Old 12-12-2015 | 10:44 AM
  #7  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,566
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by jpmarine6786
Is your temperature gage working, if the sensor isn't plugged in the fan will run at all times.
Not on a Renix......

The temp SENDER is on the driver's side rear of the head for the gauge/light on the dash.

The coolant temp SENSOR for the ECU is down on the lower driver's side of the engine block.

The fan SWITCH is located on the driver's side lower part of the radiator. That's the one that actuates the electric cooling fan.
Old 12-12-2015 | 11:01 AM
  #8  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
The fan SWITCH is located on the driver's side lower part of the radiator. That's the one that actuates the electric cooling fan.
And the symptom of my fan being on most of the time could be caused by that switch being faulty?
Old 12-12-2015 | 11:05 AM
  #9  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,566
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by ElMartillo
And the symptom of my fan being on most of the time could be caused by that switch being faulty?
Correct. Disconnect the switch and clean the contacts . See what happens.

Do yourself a favor and click on my Pink Link below and do Tips 1,3,4, and 5.
Old 12-12-2015 | 11:47 AM
  #10  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
Correct. Disconnect the switch and clean the contacts . See what happens.

Do yourself a favor and click on my Pink Link below and do Tips 1,3,4, and 5.
I will, all of the above. Thank you
Old 12-12-2015 | 12:13 PM
  #11  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

Interesting. I just found this connector bridging both wires from the fan switch. No wonder it was on, well I guess all the time. Now to figure out why it was there.
Old 12-12-2015 | 01:57 PM
  #12  
jpmarine6786's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 375
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
Not on a Renix...... The temp SENDER is on the driver's side rear of the head for the gauge/light on the dash. The coolant temp SENSOR for the ECU is down on the lower driver's side of the engine block. The fan SWITCH is located on the driver's side lower part of the radiator. That's the one that actuates the electric cooling fan.
Listen to this guy, he is the expert.
Old 12-12-2015 | 10:17 PM
  #13  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

Took it out for a little test wheel, can't say I heard the electric fan come on at all, and it doesn't seem to be running hot. I gotta say, for stock suspension this little wagon seems to hold it's own in the loose stuff, and it's running like it'snew. Pleasure to drive both on and off pavement.
Old 12-13-2015 | 08:24 AM
  #14  
cruiser54's Avatar
::CF Moderator::
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,566
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by ElMartillo
Took it out for a little test wheel, can't say I heard the electric fan come on at all, and it doesn't seem to be running hot. I gotta say, for stock suspension this little wagon seems to hold it's own in the loose stuff, and it's running like it'snew. Pleasure to drive both on and off pavement.
Thanks for reporting back!!
Old 12-14-2015 | 07:04 PM
  #15  
ElMartillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 896
Likes: 32
From: Nationwide, USA
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Renix 4.0
Default

I installed a full gauge cluster today, as well as new oil pressure and coolant temp sending units. Everything seems to be working well, I even figured out how to reset the new odometer to the old one, so the mileage even reads correct and the dash looks so much better now...

I'm curious as to what the normal operating temperature should be. The temp gauge is consistantly on the line between 100 and 210 degrees. I'm not concerned, but that tells me it's near 155 degrees which seems a little cool to me. I thought most engines want to be in the 180-190 degree range.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:48 PM.