When the coolant temperature sensor fails, it can lead to inaccurate readings of the engine's temperature, causing the engine control unit (ECU) to mismanage fuel injection and ignition timing. This may result in poor fuel economy, increased emissions, overheating, or even engine damage. Additionally, the vehicle's check engine light may illuminate, and the dashboard temperature gauge may behave erratically. In some cases, it can also cause difficulty in starting the engine or lead to stalling.
Your temperature gauge does not work, and the engine might run rough.
Check your fuse, and your coolant temp sensor. The coolant temp sensor is more than likely the problem
Coolant Temp Sensor
The coolant temp sensor wire comes from the firewall area. An easy way to make the temp sensor work if you can not find it is to connect the sensor directly to the battery. The sensor uses wireless technology to send its data. It might take an hour or more of driving for the sensor to reset before it starts sending data to the computer. .
Bad gauge and/or coolant temp sensor The coolant temp sensor doesn't control the gauge. There is a sensor in the head on the driver's side that controls the gauge. It is fairly easy to get to, probably one of the only things on a 4th gen. lol
Check coolant sensor for corrosion at the wires or the sensor itself . If corrosion, replace sensor or repair wires.
Chek the coolant sensor plug and others sensor in the same area to see if the are broken,unplugged or dirty
coolant temp sensor, wiring, relay, bad fan motor
Should be the same thing. The only other temperature sensor is the one for intake manifold. That should just register the incomming air temp for the computer. Maybe the gauge is just bad. It happens.
Fan Relay
There are 2 Coolant Temp. Sensors, one is in the bottom of the coolant expansion tank(that where you refill the anti-freeze), You need to remove the expansion tank to get to it.Not To Worry, its a Very Easy Task.2minute job. The Second Coolant Temp. Sensor location ill try to describe. if u are standing on the drivers side with your head under the hood it is attached to the motors head,looking at the motor from this perspective it is on the right side underneath of the throttle assembly about 8-inches down, it is kinda difficult to see.Also it has an electrical plug attached to it. the sensor screws into the head parallel to the ground.
First, un plug the wire at the fan, jump the wire and see if the fan does work. If it does, trace the wire back to the sensor, there are only 2 sensors, 1 for temp gauge, and 1 for the fan.