I've heard its a common problem, but i con't find how to fix it. there is a new temp sensor so that isn't it. But how do you fix it? Its already caused a blown headgasket because in the highway i didn't know i was running hot so... pop it went.

 

I thought 3.4's had two temperature sending units. One for gauges, and one for computer. Where is the one you replaced? If it is the actual gauge that's messed up, then you will have to find a new cluster to put in, or replace the individual needle assembly. I think it would be easier just to replace the cluster.

 

As O2tangGT said, there are two coolant temp sensors. One is the ECT which only talks to the computer, the other is the Temp Gage sending unit which drives the temp gage. The gage sending unit has only one Dark Green wire attached to it. Located atTop Front Left of engine, behind coil pack.Unplug the wire from the sending unit and short it to the engine block. Turn the key ON, the gage should peg to the right (max temp). If it does not, either the gage or the wireis bad.

FYI, the ECT sensor has two wires: one Yellow and one Black. Locates on front left of intake manifold, next to t'stat housing

 

thanks, i got looking at it today and noticed that there was something screwed into the head behind the coil packs that was broken off that looked like a temp sensor. and the one that got replaced was the one in the top right by the t-stat. So could overheating cause it to throw a code because my ses light came on intermittently but would always go back off before i got to a autozone to have it pulled since i can't use the old paperclip trick. Now hopefully when i put a new one in for the gauge it will work right so i can watch the temps to make sure this doesn't happen again. Now, Is the temp gauge an actual working gauge or is it a glorified idiot light?

 

The one on my car works pretty well. You cansee temperature rise and fall.

 

Your car has a real gauge also. Some cars have fake gauges that either indicateno pressure or jump to the middle with any kind of oil pressure.