Bump. A few months ago my Duratec guage started running awfully warm in city traffic or just after getting off the highway. It would run around R normally, and creeped up to/past L and back down again as soon as the low-speed fan turned on. We installed a new WP (white impeller), thermostat, ECT sensor, coolant and WP belt, and then the car started definitely running hot (gauge maintained stance between M and L, no coolant flow, low and high speed fans on within 15 minutes). Brapple's OBD-II scan showed fans turning on at appropriate temperatures and that the engine was hot. Dealer installed new radiator, did a coolant flush, second WP (back to black this time) and thermostat, and finally $1300+ later the car is again appearing to be running hot only in city traffic - now reading between O and R unless in traffic when it creeps up to past M and the fan turns on (occasionally going back down and then back up again, sometimes not). An expensive venture on my part. Mechanic #2 noted I am missing an air dam, if it matters.
I'm basically thinking now that my gauge decided to become erratic or oversensitive. Not quite sure why, perhaps buying an aftermarket gauge (or an OBD-II cable) would show what the engine is really doing. It could just be my sending unit and the engine is fine; the engine could possibly be running warmer than it should; .. at this point I've given up and am ready to run the car into the ground. I am planning to replace it next year post-graduation anyway; I don't care anymore!
FWIW - 99+ Contiques don't have "NORMAL" in their gauges, IIRC.
