Does any1 know the normal operating temperature for JKs?

 

Well I don't think anyone knows since the gage cluster in a JK sucks. It gives very little info back to the driver... mostly just idiot lights.

 

A little less than half-way on the gauge.

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HAHAHA exactly, a hair short than vertical

 

A few people have installed gauges but that depends on where the reading is taken from. I agree that modern temp gauges are just idiot lights.

 

I have a Interceptro scangauge, and mine normally runs between 188 and 215. The fan comes on at 215 and cools things down right away.

 

Mine stays around 190 when going on the interstate. I believe the fan does not come on.
Sitting in the barn idling, the temp goes up to 215, then the fan comes on and cools it down to around 195 and shuts off.
If I run the AC idling in the barn, the temp stays around 190 because the fan stays on.
It is probably hot at your location.
Is your JK lifted?
Is the front air dam removed?
Do you have any accessories mounted in front of the grill?
Has your radiator ever been under water?

 

Mine runs a hair past center even when pulling a small trailer.

 

Mine runs a smidge below center even with my tranny cooler installed in front of everything....

 

I'm sure most people know this but just in case...

Back in the 80s the temp gauges swung up and down and up and down. You stop at a light they'd go up a bit, you start cruising they'd go back down.

Then in the 90s all the sudden cars started hitting operating temperature and holding it there perfectly! Once the engine warmed up the needle never budged. Wow some major break through in cooling systems must have happened right?

Nope, your temp gauge is now basically an idiot light. As long as the engine is within it's normal operating range the computer keeps that needle in the exact same spot. I don't know the exact numbers as it varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and probably even model to model. But as an example if the water temp is between 150 and 230 that needle will be dead center. In older cars 80 degrees would be quite a bit of needle swing.

So basically the stock water temp tells you 1 of three things. The engine is below the normal operating temperature range, the engine is in the normal operating temp range., the engine has exceeded the acceptable operating temp range.