i have a 1998 ranger xlt 3.0 it recently overheated and the guage never went past a quarter of the ways towards hot.is this a known issue ?is there a way to check the guage ?thanks

Welcome to AF!

If it lost most of the coolant prior to overheating it wouldn't show on the gauge. The gauge just registers the coolant temperature.

or the gauge is inoperative.

i took the plug off of the sensor that has one wire and grounded it and the guage just went to 1/4,there is also another sensor close to it,i do not know what this sensor does it is in the intake,screwed into the water passage.does anyone know what this sensor does and how to check it ?

i took the plug off of the sensor that has one wire and grounded it and the guage just went to 1/4,there is also another sensor close to it,i do not know what this sensor does it is in the intake,screwed into the water passage.does anyone know what this sensor does and how to check it ?

A sensor is either good or bad.