Well, since you also replaced the temperature gauge sender, that could possibly be the culprit. I think there may be a way to use an OBDII diagnostic unit to see what the temperature is, but I suppose the information from the diagnostic would be based on what the temp gauge is sending. I'm only speculating here.....don't know. Maybe someone else can chime in here with some advice.

95 Contour Zetec, ATX (wrecked, sitting in the barn) 95 Mystique Zetec, MTX 2000 Taurus SEL 3.0L Duratec 1994 Crown Victoria LX 4.6 V8 1993 Chevy Silverado 4.3 V6