sounds like your temp switch is bad you will need to replace it. Maybe the thermostat is stuck open and the engine never heats up. <- even if the thermostat is stuck open the temp gauge would register heat it would just take longer for the engine to heat up for it to register.
check the temp sending unite on the water intake
THE temp sending unit 4 the inside gauge usally has 1 wire & the sending unit 4 the Computer has 2 wires.
The temp sending unit may be shorted to ground. Unplug the sending unit to see if the gauge drops to cold. If it does, you have a faulty temp sending unit.
A faulty temp sending unit can do that.
To fix the temp gauge check the temp sending unit first. A bad sending unit is a common problem with the temp system.
NO they are not the same.
Replacing the gauge could be a costly job but it is seldom the gauge goes bad. More likely the temp gauge sending unit is at fault. Replacing the temp gauge sending unit would take less than 15 minutes.
Check your grounding on your temp sending unit.
The temp sending unit for the temp gauge is located on the drivers side of the engine between cylinders 3 and 5 spark plugs.
There is a temp sensor on the water inlet for the PCM, and sending units for the gauge on the side of the heads. Normally part stores don't carry the sending units.
Probably either the sending unit or a loose connection.
intake manifold