Coolant Temperature Gauge

Hi, I have a 1998 Ford Escort ZX2 2.0L DOHC, it has 101,400 miles on it. The coolant gauge is always on cold, never goes to operating temperature. I replaced the coolant temperature sensor but didn't fix it, what else could it be. (The heat does work.)

the gauge it self might of died

Go to AutoZone and buy a temperature switch. The Coolant Sensor just determines when the radiator fan kicks on and off. the temperature switch control what you see ony our guage. It shouldn't be very expensive, and it'll be easy to change.

Thanks, I changed the temp. switch and that fixed it.

I have the exact opposite problem. My temperature guage goes to high immediately when starting the car, then inches up from there.

Initially, my wife had told me the engine was pegged hot. I went out and started the car, sure enough it was. I replaced the water pump (was 130,000 miles on the original pump and was seeping anyway), but did not fix it. That is when I realized it STARTS on the high line (engine is at ambient outside temperature) and goes up from there. The radiator fan also turns on right away (not sure if that is supposed to when you start the car).

I replaced the temperature switch you mentioned (located on the right side of the engine in the coolant line - was a "push in" type held in place by a cotter pin type thing). It still starts on high.

The item I replaced looked like this, only not threaded:

http://www.autozone.com/R,APP265614/vehicleId,2574501/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,1883/partType,00135/shopping/partProductDetail.htm

What am I missing?

I just found about about the sender, which has the orange cap (versus the one on top with the black cap).

I change the black capped one. Are they both the same part? In other words, if my top one was clipped in, would my bottom one be clipped in too or could it be threaded?

2000 ZX2 with S/R package.

Nevermind, no longer need any assistance.