99 cherokee classic problems.

[thumbmania]

hi everyone. I am a starter and seeking your knowledge of Jeep cherokee.
thanks.
I am not sure whether my car is running hot or not. My coolant temp. gauge, goes around 215-225 these days. It drops back to around 210-215 with more rpm. And temp. rises back again. Is that normal??. it usually didn't go beyond 215.
I had my radiator replaced about 10 months ago. I had the hose that connects the radiator to engine tighten two months ago, after showing leaking(which cost overheating). on the other hand, my a/c is running funny. It gives regular a/c air and it stops and it come on and and it goes away. Now is that causing car temp. to rise a bit?
another question i have is reagaring engine lights. I had an engine lights on and i did computer diagnose and they told me that my number 3 had misfired. I just had a tune up on my car last friday. Is that a major problem??. I need to drive about 25 mins on highway and back before i could get my car fixed. (can i still drive around the car??. b/c it is an only car)
sorry for so many question, with lots of talking. thank you very much for all your helps!

[fredjacksonsan]

The temperature seems to be ok, my 4.0 liter runs at about 210-220 all the time.

Is the AC compressor coming on and off quickly, or every few seconds? Every few seconds is normal, but if it is cycling quickly then you are probably low on coolant.

As far as the check engine light, turn the key on-off-on-off-on within 5 seconds, and read the codes that come up on the odometer. Post them here and we'll be able to help out.

[AlohaBra]

1. Welcome to the forum

2. My temp gage reads 210 all the time...will go up to 215...if driving slow or off road at low speed for an extended time....

3. The clutch for the clutch fan wears out....i just changed mine...not hot enough yet to see a difference....most people recommend an OEM one...but I used the cheaper Hayden one.
**Note: This is an area of debate and I would certainly like to hear from others about their choice in clutches for the fan.

4. Your note about the AC is what mine was doing (97 MY)..which is why I change the clutch fan. I had been working on this AC problem for about a year and a half...including a lot of testing. I think that it is not the AC causing overheating...but the overheat at low speed causing the AC to not discharge enough heat and the evaporator freezes up. If you turn off the AC for about 10 minutes...it will restart again....I monitor mine with a thermometer attached to the center dash vent. (Of course all other AC testing such as charge and pressure readings should be done first.)

5. If your code says no. 3 is misfiring, change the spark plug...use Champions...If you had a tune up...take it back. Mine had the same code...and it was because the Bosch plugs I used went South...
If you are concerned about driving it...check the no. 3 wire connections first...get all the dirt off the distributor cap where the wires go.

6. Might be cheaper to buy one new plug and change it than to go 25 miles for this (no. 3 miss issue). Clear the codes by disconnecting the battery for about 30 seconds.

Aloha...enough for now.

[thumbmania]

thank you very much for your help! i will try to change the clutch fan and see what happens. i will report back!!

[thumbmania]

hi Fred. My odormeter reads 131444.
As far as the heating. Whenever i turn off the A/C my engine heating stablize about 210. But, once i turn it on, .. it goes up to around 225. i am not sure what is wrong with it. Also, when i am on streets, making stops (with traffic lights), the temp. rises gradually. and goes up to around 225.

and as far as the no.3 misfire. I am taking to the shop where i got my tune up tomorrow. I will see and post it back on here.

thanks for the help!