Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Temperature gauge problem

I got a problem with the temperature gauge of my 99' Mystique . In the cold winter days, The gauge arm sometimes was stuck at the cold side or 1/3 from the cold. This happened for several times ,it generally back to work after the car is fully warmed up. I tought that is probably due to some frozen mechanism in the gauge.

But he problem was back since the day before yesterday, the gauge arm is always stuck 1/3 from cold side, it cannot go back to cold. But it does point to normal temperature after warmed up.

I checked the gauge sender , the connector looks fine , do I have a bad gauge ? I tried to test with the gauge sender, but found that I have to remove the hose to make some room....
any opinion ?

there are two temp sensors in the tours. one is the sender and one is a sensor. one is for the computer to tell the fans to start when hot and to raze idle when cold. the other is just for the temp gauge. if u have a zetec the one for the computer is on top of the thermostat housing and the one for your gauge is under the housing. but i forget which one is called the sender and which one the sensor(i dont have my haynes with me)

thanks. I will do a coolant flush in the summer and check
with sensors with a meter. hopefully the parts are not expensive.

im having the same exact problem. I went to Advanced auto parts and the code they pulled was P0125- Closed loop fuel ctrl and insufficient coolant temp. The guy told me it has to do with the sensor that goes into the block or something. I have the zetec, would anyone know where to find this? I think its just the gauge that isnt reading correctly because it just stays at cold no matter what. BTW, he showed me on the computer what they looked like and one looks like it has threads and one looks like it has the O ring. Could one be for the gauge and one be for the computer?

is this a big problem? Should i not be driving my car? I dont think it is but i just wanted to know. THANKS