Temp Sending Unit Replacement HELP!!!

1996 Cherokee Country 4X4 Inline 6

I Just got this a few weeks ago and the Temperature guage has never moved off of the left hand side. I changed the Thermostat first then after that had no effect i started looking for the Temperature Sending Unit. I found it in the far back of the motor on the right hand Side. I noticed it was cracked and leaning off to the side. My Wife watched the Guage in side the Jeep and as i moved it she said the guage would go up. I figured hey $15 and my problem is solved. I went to Advanced and bought one BUT it was the wrong one. They asked me if I had a temp Guage or a light. I got the one for the Guage and looked at it. It looked Exactly like what i had taken out BUT it had a place for 2 wires to connect to it. Mine only had one. The part they gave me would not fit to my connector. So i asked about the sending unit for the jeep with a Light instead of a guage and i looked at it and it was EXACTLY what had in there. So once again i thought Problem solved. Well I have installed 2 and i Broke both of them while installing them. ARGGG I used a 1/2 Deep Socket and i had to move the wiring that was in the way But i still could not get a straight bite on it. Its almost straight but still not. The Valve cover crowds it and makes it hard to get on it with a socket and i cant get a wrench in there. Anyway the 2 that i had installed (if you want to call it that) Were in better shape that the one I took off and neither one worked. I am thinking i will get this one installed without breaking it and it will not work still brause it is for a light and not a guage? Not sure what to do next. So I went to Oreillys Auto Store and there computer only had a listing for one with 2 wires. They didn't even have a listing for a light. I called JEEP and they gave me a part number that i am going to try to crossreference and try to make sure it is the right one. Anyway Can someone help me please? any tips on installing this?

WAIT! Update.. I just called Auto Zone and he said i dont need a Temp sending unit but a TEMP SWITCH?? he said the temp sending unit has NOTHING to do with my temperature guage but it controls the amount of fuel that goes to the motor when its cold and hot. He said the Temp Switch controls the Temp Guage? is this right???
Please - someone throw me a bone or something..

Anyway Merry Christmas!!! - TJ

1996 Cherokee Country 4X4 Inline 6

I Just got this a few weeks ago and the Temperature guage has never moved off of the left hand side. I changed the Thermostat first then after that had no effect i started looking for the Temperature Sending Unit. I found it in the far back of the motor on the right hand Side. I noticed it was cracked and leaning off to the side. My Wife watched the Guage in side the Jeep and as i moved it she said the guage would go up. I figured hey $15 and my problem is solved. I went to Advanced and bought one BUT it was the wrong one. They asked me if I had a temp Guage or a light. I got the one for the Guage and looked at it. It looked Exactly like what i had taken out BUT it had a place for 2 wires to connect to it. Mine only had one. The part they gave me would not fit to my connector. So i asked about the sending unit for the jeep with a Light instead of a guage and i looked at it and it was EXACTLY what had in there. So once again i thought Problem solved. Well I have installed 2 and i Broke both of them while installing them. ARGGG I used a 1/2 Deep Socket and i had to move the wiring that was in the way But i still could not get a straight bite on it. Its almost straight but still not. The Valve cover crowds it and makes it hard to get on it with a socket and i cant get a wrench in there. Anyway the 2 that i had installed (if you want to call it that) Were in better shape that the one I took off and neither one worked. I am thinking i will get this one installed without breaking it and it will not work still brause it is for a light and not a guage? Not sure what to do next. So I went to Oreillys Auto Store and there computer only had a listing for one with 2 wires. They didn't even have a listing for a light. I called JEEP and they gave me a part number that i am going to try to crossreference and try to make sure it is the right one. Anyway Can someone help me please? any tips on installing this?

WAIT! Update.. I just called Auto Zone and he said i dont need a Temp sending unit but a TEMP SWITCH?? he said the temp sending unit has NOTHING to do with my temperature guage but it controls the amount of fuel that goes to the motor when its cold and hot. He said the Temp Switch controls the Temp Guage? is this right???
Please - someone throw me a bone or something..

Anyway Merry Christmas!!! - TJ




I think the guy from auto- zone is talking about the MAT sensor. It is the manifold air temperature sensor. It controls the amount of fuel and spark when engine is hot or cold. Has nothing to do with temp. gauge. Dale

OK i just found out that a Temp Switch and a Temperature Sending unit are the SAME THING... BUT I bought one and and put it in Boiling Water while plugged into the connector and turn the key to the on possition and Still nothing..... But is this the right way to test this? or does it have to be touching metal (SCREWED IN, or grounded)? Any help on this would be great. If this is an accurate way to test it and the sending unit that I just bought is good then either I have an Electrical problem or the Temperature switch (Temp Sending Unit) doesnt control the gauge.... Any one know anything about this? --- TJ

OK i just found out that a Temp Switch and a Temperature Sending unit are the SAME THING... BUT I bought one and and put it in Boiling Water while plugged into the connector and turn the key to the on possition and Still nothing..... But is this the right way to test this? or does it have to be touching metal (SCREWED IN, or grounded)? Any help on this would be great. If this is an accurate way to test it and the sending unit that I just bought is good then either I have an Electrical problem or the Temperature switch (Temp Sending Unit) doesnt control the gauge.... Any one know anything about this? --- TJ

The coolant temperature sending unit (left rear of the head) controls the reading of the gauge or temp light. It has one wire. Yes it does have to be grounded to the motor to work. The coolant temperature sensor (mounted in the thermostat housing) is part of the engine control system. The computer uses it's readings to adjust the fuel mix, timing, and EGR operation. It has two wires. WWW.AutoZone.com shows part number TU 236 for the sending unit.