MAT sensor question

[Baddmove]

I believe my MAT sensor(manifold Air Temp) is bad and I want to replace it, thing is, I cant seem to find one. The local auto parts guy tried looking it up and he can't find one either. I read , while looking online, that a CTS (coolant Temp Sensor) can be used and or swapped out with the MAT sensor. The only problem I see is that the CTS has a male connecter and the MAT has a female connecter. My XJ is a 1986 but it is a 4.0 and everything is stock, so, does anyone know where I can find a MAT sensor or have any ideas if swapping the two is true????? My MAT sensor is located on the intake manifold right behind the throttle body.

Thanks...Bob

[4.3LXJ]

Bob, I gotta ask, how come you have a 4.0L in that 86. They didn't come in XJs until 87

[Baddmove]

I don't know, even the sticker on the firewall says it is a 4 cylinder, but if you open the hood of an 87 and open mine, they are identical down to the last nut...no modifications at all..any help with the MAT sensor??

[4.3LXJ]

Well, OK you have a 2.5L, not a 4.0L So that helps quite a bit. After consulting my wiring schematics, you have a MAP, manifold absolute pressure sensor that would be on the manifold somewhere and you have an air temp sensor that would be located on an air cleaner or air intake in front of the throttle body injector

[Baddmove]

2368 it looks like this, and I have a 4.0 straight 6 in my Jeep , I swear to you, even the dealership was stumped..

[4.3LXJ]

I am stumped to then. A conversion?

[Baddmove]

2369

2370

There is my engine and where the MAT sensor goes..

Sorry, I don't know how to make the pictures clickable..

[Baddmove]

After looking online for hours now.. this is the closest I have come so far..

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/intake-temperature-sensors-33004280.html

It is for a YJ but the link to it said it was for the YJ and XJ...

here is the link that got me there..

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/sensors/cherokee-xj-sj-mj.htm

you guys think I should just buy one and hope for the best?

[Brasscatz]

To be honest, that may be your best bet since it's only 20 bucks. Here's another question though.... how about checking your local auto parts store for a MAT for a YJ instead of XJ? If they have one, that'll save shipping and waiting and you can probably take it outside to see if the part matches.

[Baddmove]

Hmm... not a bad idea, I'll try that tomorrow since they look like they can be interchangeable.. good idea..thanks!

[XJ Wheeler]

Yeah, nobody is gonna have parts for a '86 xj with the 4.0L. Most likely its either swapped in or retitled as an '86. Anyway, its not going to show up, so since its a Renix look for '87.

[Mudderoy]

There isn't a block stamping or something that he could tell what 4.0 he has in there? I mean that way he could at least tell the parts person 91 Jeep Cherokee "NOT a Grand" when he needed a part.

[XJ Wheeler]

Well, from the intake i can tell its a Renix, '87-'90.

[msmoorenburg]

my old 87 jeep had a build date of 86 and it was a 4.0. I would go after a 87-90 temp sensor :D

[89Laredo]

Yours was an 87 MODEL YEAR though, his isn't.
Ex: my 97 made in late 96.
Obviously it was a 2.5 and someone blew it up, got tired of it, whatever, and swapped it. Looks like they did a really good job too.


OP wants AutoZone PN su343 or equivalent.
(Iat for 87-90)

[Baddmove]

Well I've had this Jeep for a year now and all the parts I have ever gotten for it have been '87, but thanks for all the replies guys...Maybe end of year '86 and that's why it is actually an '87??

[89Laredo]

I don't know, even the sticker on the firewall says it is a 4 cylinder
That is the federal emissions sticker, your jeep originally had a 2.5 in it.
The year on that sticker is the model year. (The year it is titled, registered, etc as)

Year doesn't really matter, either way it had a 4 banger and now has a 6.

[Baddmove]

OK, after getting that part in finally, it doesn't connect to my wire, it is much smaller and the wire they made to adapt it was discontinued, here is the part # for the wire i need to make it work..#85110 , does anyone know where to look for original parts by number? I give up..very frustrating..

[whitey818]

Not sure if this helps but I have never heard that called a MAT sensor, always heard it called a IAT sensor (Intake Air Temperature), Autozone calls it an Air charge sensor or something like that.
http://www.justanswer.com/jeep/1aax3-1988-jeep-cherokee-iat-sensor-located.html

Edit: I just took mine out and cleaned it today hoping it stops a stalling issue I have when cold.

[Baddmove]

In my Haynes manual it is called that, the one for my year XJ was discontinued, The MAT sensor, and I am having a helluva time finding what goes in there now, I know where it is and I even took it out and posted a pic of it, I'm just trying to replace it but I can't seem to find what to replace it with....

[XjJeepacorn]

If I ever come across a scrap wiggy I'll grab it for you :) you can just have it! I guess cleaning is the only option.

[Baddmove]

That would be great, the nearest junk yard from here is 85 miles away.

[XjJeepacorn]

Can't say when one will pop up but I'm at my local yard so much they gave me a hat lol

[Baddmove]

LOL..I go to O'Rielly's so often I got a few hats and a T-shirt.....these older vehicles keep those places in business...