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
no fuse.
What are you talking about? My temperature gauge works fine. Though, if it wasn't I would check the temperature sending unit.
My 1995 Ford Explorer was running cooler on the temperature gauge and it turned out to be my thermostat
water temperature. 180-220 degrees
no water
For a 2001 Ford Explorer : No , there is an engine temperature gauge Also , there is a " CHECK GAGE " light ( the light will come on if the engine coolant temperature is too high , the engine oil pressure is too low , or the fuel gauge indicates it is at or near empty )
More then likely you need to replace the Thermostat.
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.
The engine temp gauge is in the instrument cluster and the sending unit for the temperature gauge is in the intake manifold just to the left of the thermostat housing when you are looking from the front of the Explorer ( the larger sending unit to the right of the thermostat housing is for the EEC IV system)
Either your oil pressure gauge is reading low , your engine temperature gauge is reading high , or your fuel gauge is reading low so your almost out of gas
On a 1997 Ford Explorer : CHECK ENGINE is just to the left of the " C " on the engine coolant temperature gauge ( Helpfull )
There should be a second sensor, located near the exhaust manifold. One snesor controls the fan, the other controls the gauge.