Turn on the lights. Go out and check if rear lamps are working. If they are not, then it is probably the headlamp switch or associated wiring. There is a recall on most 95 to 97 models (Headlamp Switch Recall 99S14). Check with your local friendly Ford dealer or register at
www.fordvehicles.com. You need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Read this.
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1172316&Forum=trouble&Words=headlamp%20switch&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=1year&Main=1172187&Search=true#Post1172316
and this for a how to from Autozone
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/d1/17/0900823d801bd117.jsp
As for the temp, if it isn't close to the Red zone, don't worry about it. You should check the coolant strength ($5 tester from Autozone or Advance).
