If you want advice from a recliner want to be mechanic ;
Ignition OFF
Locate water temperature sender
- Front of block under thermostat
- Mid way down on the coolant tank
Disconnect single red with black strip wire from sender
Measure resistance of wire back to gauge, 100 to 200 ohms
Switch ignition ON
Measure voltage of wire from gauge, 4 to 8 volts
With wire disconnected, gauge should be full cold
Using jumper from good ground to wire and gauge should go full hot
If not, problem with gauge
Use jumper from wire to temperature sender outer hex, gauge should go full hot.
If not, installed sender is not connected to ground.
If so, replace sender.
trouble shooting sender . . . . . (to be continued)
But suggest testing new sender before installing by measuring resistance cold and boiling water.