Try searching for 96 Saturn sl1. The photos should have some dash shots and show the gauge. You can also check a service manual for the picture.
water temperature. 180-220 degrees
no water
The most effective location for a water temperature gauge on a vehicle is on the head or the side of the block. Generally, water temperature gauges are more accurate and fit better in these locations.
operates the temperature gauge Activates the cooling fan
If the gauge is reading hot and the car is running normal temperatures, the water temperature sensor needs replaced.
Your oil temperature gauge will connect to the oil pressure sensor. The water temperature gauge will hook up to the water temperature sensor. The oil pressure sensor will be on the left-hand side of the engine and the water temperature sensor will be on the front of the engine.
Thermostat is the part which functions to maintain engine coolant temperature by restricting the flow ( open and close based on the coolant temperature ) to the heat exchanger ( radiator). Water temperature sender ( water temperature transducer ) is the one which signals the the water temperature gauge. so water temperature sender may not work and show the same value on the gauge. but engine temperature will rise and vary depending on the load. the engine will be cold when you start the engine after an overnight and if you touch some safe parts of the engine you will feel the temperature rise even if the gauge does not indicate it. hope this will help you. thank you.
To answer you question more thoroughly I will need more detail because there are several different types of water qauges. You have a water temperature gauge, water pressure gauge and water level gauges.
only 3 reasons a temp gauge wont work the temp sender is bad the gauge is bad or the wire from temp sender to gauge is broken
You temperature gauge could be not responding because of a faulty fuse. If you check your fuses and they work then you may have an electrical problem.
Steam would have a gauge 0-15 Hot water Tri indicator Temperature /pressure /altitude
If you mean the temp. Gauge in a CAR; it let's you know the temperature of the water in the engine Radiator. If the temp. Gauge is at, or close to, or past the RED mark on the gauge, then the water is TOO HOT which means that it is boiling and turning to steam and most likely to burst one of the rubber hoses that carry the water through the engine casing. It is very very unwise to keep the engine going if the gauge goes to the red mark on it. You will cause expensive damage to the engine if it is not kept cool by the water being circulated by the fan in the front of the engine. Just stop the engine and call a mechanic instantly.