the electric fan does not turn on?
i tested the fan and it works fine, the temp. gauge in dash works fine. All wires look good.
Could it be the coolant temp. sending unit, a fuse, or another sensor i don't know of (like the sensor in the rad - no info on it in the haynes book?).
if it could be a fuse where would i find it?

On my 88' Jeep the electric won't turn on unless it is very hot, or if I turn on the A/C.

I've got a 93 XJ and The Factory Service manual says, the electric fan comes on when the coolant reaches a temp of 217* and shuts off when it gets to 209*. If your Jeep is not overheating there's probably nothing wrong with it. As said above it comes on any time the AC is On. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

my truck was nearly over heating and the fan still wouldnt come on - i did some digging around, and yes i was told the fan won't work if the a/c doesn't work - (thanks for that info) i was also told it could be the electric fan relay, i will replace it and if things still don't work i will hard wire the fan to a switch so i can turn it on and leave it on -
thanks for the info -
badiddy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

That is an option, but wouldn't you rather it be automatic, so you can't forget to turn it on/off? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I wonder what "almost overheated" means?
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

So I was loging on to ask this same basic question.

I was in traffic today and my 96 Cherokee temp gage was getting over 210. Maybe 217 not sure, it doesn't give much info. I know the fan comes on when I have the A/C.

I know a car isn't over heated until its over heated, but it sure is nerver wracking watching to creap over 210 and keep going.

I'll let you know what I find out.

There's always a chance the gauge is incorrect. My XJ routinely runs between 210 and 220 in traffic on warm days but always cools down some (190 to 210) at sustained hwy speeds. If it doesn't cool down on a long stretch of hwy or gets hotter you have a problem. Have you been doing recommended system maintenance? Flushing, replacing coolant etc.? Also, check to see if there is any blockage in the radiator/AC condenser fins, leaves, bugs, and mud, whatever. If it runs relatively cool on the hwy but gets too hot in traffic, it's possible you have a bad fan clutch, I'm assuming the 96 is basically the same as my 93 with a belt driven fan and an electric one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Pete wrote: The Factory Service manual says, the electric fan comes on when the coolant reaches a temp of 217* and shuts off when it gets to 209*.

Guys that sorta sez it all! The factory WANTS the temp above 209*.. In fact they don't even start the fan till 217*. That in itself should tell you something about the intended temp of your engine. With a good cap on there your coolant will not start to boil till bout 240*. If you are far enough South to run pure antifreeze IT will not boil till over 400*.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Didn't we go through this one..... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />