Replacing XJ coolant temp. sensor & electric fan.

Macdaddy4738

Macdaddy4738

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
How difficult are these to replace? I believe there are two coolant sensors, but I can't find the second. I think the one on the pump is for the computer, I need the one for the gauge...

My current electric fan is cracked pretty bad. I don't really want to go with the mechanical fan delete, just replace the OEM one.
 
I think the later models only have the one coolant tempp sensor, the one you found on the tstat neck. The second one on older XJs is on the rear of the head, closer to the drivers side.
The e-fan is pretty easy to replace, just unplug it, remove panles, etc above it, pull it up and out. Of course there are little PITA things about it, but fairly strait forward.
 
RenegadeT said:
I think the later models only have the one coolant tempp sensor, the one you found on the tstat neck. The second one on older XJs is on the rear of the head, closer to the drivers side.
The e-fan is pretty easy to replace, just unplug it, remove panles, etc above it, pull it up and out. Of course there are little PITA things about it, but fairly strait forward.
Click to expand...

About 1/2 way through 1996 they stopped using the one on the back of the head, so you should just have the one in the tstat neck.
 
I replaced the radiator and the hoses the other weekend, my first time for a radiator and it was way easier than expected. I didn't do the t-stat or sensors but in general access was straight forward and comparable since i had the fans out anyway. It was one time working on the xj where I actually got to stand up. After all those hours stretched underneath in uncorfortable positions I considered it one of the easier jobs but that could have been placebo. Was damned easier than the manifold install, the only other upright work I've done on mine. If you have old hoses or fluid I'd definately recommend knocking those things out while you have access.
 
What I don't understand is how that shop could replace the radiator, but fail to mention the electric fan is basically shot. No worries that they did it, I knew it was pretty much done...but still, how do you not notice the thing is basically cracked in half?

I figure I need to replace my control arms and steering stabilizer too. Damn thing almost rattled off I-40 today....
 
When I use a mechanic, which knock on wood hasn't happened yet for the xj, I buy my own parts and specify what I want and what I'm willing for them to replace if it looks bad. Or at least to call me on stuff they see I may not have been aware of. It's worked better that way cause I know what's going in and they know what I want. Helps to have a mechanic who basically runs his own shop so you know you have someone good doing it too.
The fan will be a breeze and when you get that far in you'll realize how easy the radiator would have been to do. I'm no mechanic but I've tried to use the xj to become more proficient and the radiator was one of those jobs where I never got that "oh crap should I have started this" feelings. I've had a few of those, like when I sheared two manifold studs in the block. Lol.
 
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