Scotty,
My 1996 Jeep Cherokee with over 220,000 miles runs great but my biggest concern is that the auxiliary fan use to come on to cool the engine down after the Jeep was turned off. Now that summer will be coming soon I am concerned that the fan will not sufficiently cool the engine in the hot days here in Virginia Beach, VA. The A/C works fine and the fan comes on when the A/C is on but does not continue to cool off the engine after shut down. I have replaced the coolant temperature sensor with an aftermarket one and the radiator is always flushed and new thermostat every 2 years. On those really hot days after using the A/C I even open the hood to let the heat dissipate. Should I replace the fan or get an OE coolant temperature sensor?
Thanks for the info.
I've never noticed the fan in my '99 Cherokee running after the engine is turned off. Shop manual description of fan control (below) doesn't mention a provision for that. Of course that's the 1999 manual but the 1996 is probably similar. Possibly it's a custom modification a previous owner installed on yours in order to reduce heat soak problems?
I am the original owner of the 96 Jeep and my owners manual does state that some times the fan will run after the engine is turned off to provide extra cooling when it is warranted.
OK, they probably changed it when Chrysler updated the XJ design in 1997.
On older vehicles I've dealt with that run the fan after the engine is turned off a time-delay relay has typically been used for that function. I don't have a shop manual or factory parts catalog for 1996 Cherokee but that might be something to look into. If a time delay relay is not used then that function is most likely controlled directly by your PCM.
One approach some guys will use to reduce their XJ's underhood temperatures is to install vents.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbCNAzrVAV0