95' Escort - Chk. Eng., Temp.Gage & Cool.Fan

[gpmthird]

1995 Escort - 1.9 - 100K mi.: My "Check Engine" light came on for the very first time, and simultaneously my dash Temperature Gage ceased to function and the Coolant Fan turned on and stayed on. The local parts store claims it does not possess the means to code a 95 Escort. Presently,the coolant fan turns on approximately 30 seconds to one minute after starting the car and remains running. I have never experienced any coolant system problems within the ten years that I've owned it. The only coolant system related detail I could add is that the interior heater/defroster does not seem to get as warm in the wintertime as it used to. The advice I am getting points me to "Coolant Sensor. Does anyone concur with that, or can you lead me in another or sopplemental direction?

[AzTumbleweed]

These are the symptoms you would get if both temp sensors were unplugged.