98 cherokee had gunky cooling system, got it flushed and temp gauge was reading low afterwards. diagnostic computer said the cooling system circuit had high input so i replaced one of the temp sensors. now the temp gauge reads normal, but i can still sometimes hear hissing from the radiator after a hot run, do i have to replace the thermostat or the other temp sensor? or do i have some other problem?

Have the vehicle checked for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble code's if you haven't already . The vehicle has two cooling fans an three control relay's that are energized by the PCM - engine computer . Coolant temp sensor tell's the PCM engine temp.
Do you know what a wiring diagram is ? Free one's here http://www.bbbind.com/free-tsb Enter vehicle info. year make , model an engine . Under system click on engine ,then under subsystem click on cooling fans . Click the search button then the blue link. Watch this video.
Relay Driven Dual Cooling Fan Diagnostics

Also ,what are you going by to say it's overheating ? Temp gauge in the instrument cluster ? GM had problems with Stepper motors inside the instrument cluster . 2003 - 2006 . Hooking up a scan tool that can view data would show what the coolant temp sensor is tell the PCM .

Using a infered temp
This would show the real temp of the engine.

DTC P0480 or P0481
Battery positive voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 1 relay from the COOL FAN #1 fuse. The powertrain control module (PCM) controls the cooling fan 1 relay by grounding the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit via an internal solid state device called a driver.
Battery positive voltage is supplied to the cooling fan 2 relay and the cooling fan 3 relay from the COOL FAN #2 fuse. The PCM controls the relays by grounding the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit.
When the PCM is commanding a relay on, the voltage potential of the control circuit should be low, near 0 volts. When the PCM is commanding the control circuit to a relay, the voltage potential of the circuit should be high, near battery voltage. If the fault detection circuit senses a voltage other than what is expected, the DTC will set.
The PCM will monitor the control circuit for the following conditions:
• A short to ground
• A short to voltage
• An open circuit
• An open relay coil
• An internally shorted or excessively low resistance relay coil
When the PCM detects any of the above conditions, the DTC will set and the affected driver will be disabled.

I would say the instrument cluster is probably the problem . If the fans come on when A/C is turned on the system is working.

How to repair GM Instrument Cluster Speedometer Gauge Stepper

The PCM regulates voltage to the coolant fan relays, which operate the fans. Refer to Engine Controls.

Engine Cooling Fan Description - Electric
The electric cooling fans are used to lower the temperature of the engine coolant flowing through the radiator. They are also used to cool the refrigerant (R-134a) flowing through the A/C condenser.
Operation
The electric cooling fan operates when the engine cooling temperature exceeds a certain value. The cooling fan on this engine is controlled by the PCM. The cooling fan has one speed. The PCM turns the cooling fan ON by grounding the coil of the cooling fan relay when certain conditions are met. When the A/C is requested, the cooling fan will also be turned ON.
Power for the cooling fan motors are supplied through Cool Fan #1 and Cool Fan #2 relays. The cooling fan relays are energized when current flows from the fuses in the Cell 23: Cooling Fan Controls , and through the relay coils to ground through the PCM. The Low Speed fans control circuit is grounded for low speed fans operation. During low speed fans operation, both fans run at a slow speed. The High Speed fans control circuit is grounded for high speed operation. During high speed fans operation, both fans run at high speed.
Important: When certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are present, the PCM may command the cooling fans to run all the time. It is important to perform Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check prior to diagnosing the engine cooling fans.
If a problem that involves the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit exists, DTC P0480 should set. If the problem affects the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit, DTC P0481 should set. A problem with the ECT sensor should set DTC P0117, P0118, P1114, or P1115. Any of these DTCs will affect cooling fan operation and should be diagnosed before using the Cooling Fan Diagnosis tables. The Cooling Fan Diagnosis tables should be used to diagnose the PCM controlled cooling fans only, if a DTC has not set.

The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor (3) is a thermistor, a resistor which changes value based on temperature, mounted in the engine coolant stream. Low coolant temperature produces a high resistance (100,000 ohms at -40°C) (-40°F), while high temperature causes low resistance (70 ohms at 130°C) (266°F).
The PCM supplies a 5 volt signal to the ECT sensor through a resistor in the PCM and monitors the terminal voltage. Since this forms a series circuit to ground through the ECT sensor, high sensor resistance (low temperature) will result in high PCM terminal voltage. When the resistance of the ECT sensor is low (high temperature), the terminal voltage will be drawn lower. This terminal voltage indicates engine coolant temperature to the PCM.
A hard fault in the ECT sensor circuit should set either a DTC P0117 or P0118. Remember, these DTCs indicate a malfunction in the engine coolant temperature circuit, so proper use of the DTC table may lead to either repairing a wiring problem or replacing the sensor, to properly repair a problem.

The engine coolant sensor is an input to the PCM , Two wire's both go to the PCM .An the PCM turns on the cooling fans !

DTC P0480 Cooling Fan Relay 1 Control Circuit
DTC P0481Cooling Fan Relay 2 Control Circuit
The Body Control Module (BCM) request the cooling fans. The BCM sends a Class 2 message to the PCM in order to enable the fans based on various inputs. Thebattery voltage travels to all three cooling fan relay coils. The PCM enables cooling fan relay #1 by providing the ground path. The PCM enables cooling fan relays #2 and mode control together by providing a ground path. The left and right cooling fans are connected in series. This will enable both fans on low speed when the fan #1 relay is energized. When all three fan relays are energized, both fans will operate at high speed. The high speed is possible because the fan relays are wired in a parallel circuit. When the PCM detects that certain DTCs are set, the PCM will enable the cooling fans.
The PCM will enable the engine cooling fans when certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes are set.

Important: A short to ground will cause an open fuse(s). Before performing this diagnostic procedure, inspect the fuse(s) for an open.
1
Did you perform the Instrument Cluster System Check?
--
Go to Step 2
Go to Instrument Cluster System Check
2
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
With the scan tool select Instrument Panel Cluster, Special Functions, Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) gauges.
Perform the Coolant Gauge Sweep Test.
Does the coolant temperature gauge complete a full sweep when commanded?
--
Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check in Engine Controls
Go to Step 3
3
Replace the instrument cluster. Refer to Instrument Cluster Replacement .
Did you complete the repair?
--
Go to Instrument Cluster System Check
--

Your best bet would be to take your vehicle to a qualified repair shop that knows how the system works . An has the tools to diagnose the problem .

Could be a faulty temp sensor or a wiring problem.
Does the gauge drop if you disconnect the sensor ?

on average 45-55 psi low side , pressures are not based on make and model of car but outside temp , stick to gauge readings and you can't go wrong

I would check that the circulating water pump connected to the radiator is working properly. Why else is the temperature fluctuating? Get a computer read on that engine- a free diagnosis from the service department at the dealer should take about two minutes and tell you everything. Only the dealer can pull up the total diagnosis, because certain codes can only be recovered by the brand equipment. NOT Autozone

Hi Bajil, Have a diagnostic scan carried out and have the coolant temperature sensor and relay inspected for correct operation. It sounds as if a cable has become disconnected or that the operating circuit has become defective. The cooling circuit operation is correct when the fan operates when the engine temperature raises a fraction above normal. The fan will run for a number of seconds and then switch off, thereby maintaining the 'normal' operating temperature. Regards John

If the gauge were faulty, it would not be accurate. And no it would not affect the engine cooling system.
It sounds like your radiator fan is not working, or the cooling system is low on coolant. The fan should come on when the engine temp reaches 220 degrees.

1. Check the engine thermostat (see the temp gauge). Replace thermostat if necessary.
2. Flush the cooling installation in reverse flow direction, and change the coolant.
3. Bleed correctly the cooling system.
4. Clean inside the heater core by flushing in reverse flow direction. Check for leaks. Remove and change it if necessary.
5. Check the water pump & drive belt. Replace if necessary.

What is the temp.gauge in the vehicle say. You might try a new thermostat 1st if it is reading low as this is where the heat comes from.

Check the auxiliary cooling fan for operation. As the engine temp rises, it should kick on to bring the temp down. U may have a bad motor on the fan, or more likely a bad fan switch.