t-stat

I would suggest you use the factory recommended t/sate for your 1998 Jeep Cherokee. I would suspect the rating would be 195 degrees, but check with your local parts store to be sure. The reason for using the correct t/stat is related to the emission systems. One vehicles produced after 1996 the engine computer monitors engine warm up time and if the warm up cycle is to long or too short a fault code will be set and the check engine light will come on. Using the incorrect t/stat can change the warm-up cycle to the point were the computer will detect a fault and the check engine light will turn on.