Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting temperature switch or temperature sensor?!?!?!?

on my zetec 1998,
I need the sending unit for the temperature gauge.
Autozone is trying to sell me a temperature switch, however they also list a temperature sensor.
Which one is right, anyone know for sure?
They seemed kind of confused and I think switch sounds wrong.

There is the Coolant Temperature Gauge Sender Unit (which sounds like what you need; it sends the signal to the gauge in your instrument panel) and then there is the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (sounds like what you don't need; it sends the signal to the PCM).

Print this and tell them this is what you need.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/c3/79/0900823d801bc379.jsp

This you do not need.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/ca/ba/0900823d801bcaba.jsp

The 'switch' is what you are looking for, I believe. I have seen them listed before as a "switch/sender". The sensor is the coolant temperature sensor which connects to the ECU and has nothing to do with the temperature gauge.

Be aware that Ford has 2 different parts listed for this, the difference being the connector. When I replaced mine none of the stores I went to had the right one and I ended up having to order one from the dealership. Even then they had to order both for me so I could see which one would fit.

thanks for the help.
I actually called Wells Automotive products, Phone: 920-922-5900

The part is a wells TU206
The one for the computer is wells SU284