Temp gauge isn't working on 91 YJ

[CMTJ]

My sons new to him 1991 YJ 4.0, I know, I know its not a TJ but was all he could afford. Temp gauge not working. I ground the wire and it makes the needle move like 1/8 inch then needle goes back to the left. Would it be the gauge or the sensor on the head?? Thanks

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The sender is supposed to have the following resistances measurements to ground... 1365 ohms=100 F. 115 ohms=210 F. 55 ohms=260 F.

Shorting that wire to ground should have pegged the meter. I guess either the gauge is bad or the wiring between the sender and gauge has a problem. There's a connector on the left side of the steering column, the violet wire with the yellow tracer leading into and out of that connector is for the temperature gauge. I'd unplug & then reseat/plug back in that connector to see if it makes any difference. Hopefully the connector is just a little dirty or corroded.

 

[CMTJ]

Fixed. Ended up cleaning the contact points on the back side of the gauge. It has the plastic paper with the copper lines running thru them.

 

[Mig1997tj]

Hows it going guys 97 tj auto 4.0 .....upper rad hose popped on me so I figure change out my therm and sensor while I'm at it ...replaced all 3 items and now my gauge won't go past 100 maybe slightly above it but that's it and now a check engine please help!

 

[KCsTJ]

Do the on/off key trick and tell us the code.
Did you use an OEM sensor?
When you installed the T stat, did you install it with the hole up or down?

 

[Mig1997tj]

I'll post the code as soon as my buddy comes with his handheld........as far as the parts both from autozone not OEM and the hole facing up

 

[Mig1997tj]

Do the on/off key trick and tell us the code.
Did you use an OEM sensor?
When you installed the T stat, did you install it with the hole up or down?

Po118 was the code

 

[KCsTJ]

P0118 - Engine coolant temperature circuit, high input. Not sure what this code suggests, whether in the circuitry or elsewhere.
I would reinstall the temp sensor that was in before the upper hose blew.
Try that and see if you get a normal temp reading

 

[Mig1997tj]

Yea that sensor is shot (broken up) I think I'm gonna go grab yet another one but from napa

 

[KCsTJ]

Yea that sensor is shot (broken up) I think I'm gonna go grab yet another one but from napa

I'm sure you know, get an OEM replacement, jeeps are sensitive to non OEM sensors

 

[Mig1997tj]

May sound stupid but where can I find one?

 

[KCsTJ]

Try wermopar.com and there's a couple other sites I can't remember
On line may be your best bet , I'm still kinda working my way thru learning how to order the right parts on line so I'm not the best to ask in terms of true OEM parts .
Others may chime in

 

[techjess323]

Glad I found this. Replaced the CTS with one form local autoparts store and still kept getting p0118. So i thought maybe Thermostat was stuck open so attempted to replace that and cracked it in doing so. So had to get a better mechanic than I to fix. Hopefully it was something as simple as using OEM this whole time. Thanks! Will update

 

[dholmes509]

I have a 2004 TJ that just had a whole new oil pan & gasket put into it. I checked engine oil ( brand new ) and drove it around town. Jeep is working great and all gauges were fine. I just got a check engine light to check gauges and the oil temp is suddenly not working. I saw no oil on the ground & checked engine oil and its fine.. What should I do next?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I have a 2004 TJ that just had a whole new oil pan & gasket put into it. I checked engine oil ( brand new ) and drove it around town. Jeep is working great and all gauges were fine. I just got a check engine light to check gauges and the oil temp is suddenly not working. I saw no oil on the ground & checked engine oil and its fine.. What should I do next?

Oil temperature? Do you mean oil pressure or engine temperature? If you meant oil pressure gauge, I'd be suspectful of a problem with the oil pressure sender mounted close to the oil filter.

 

[dholmes509]

Oil temperature? Do you mean oil pressure or engine temperature? If you meant oil pressure gauge, I'd be suspectful of a problem with the oil pressure sender mounted close to the oil filter.

Oil pressure gauge . Sorry ... went from working fine to not leaving L....

 

[dholmes509]

Ill have to have the sensor checked on Monday.

 

[dholmes509]

weird let the jeep cool. Did an engine cluster test. Started jeep and oil pressure gauge is working and check gauge light is gone. That has me nervous.